Mushroom Powered Outhouses

A.J. Pike

British Columbia - Just when you thought there were no more exciting inventions, except those created by AI, along comes the Myco Toilet, the world’s first mushroom (fungi) powered, odor-free, eco-friendly composting marvel of an outhouse. 

A team at the University of British Columbia (UBC) has created the Myco Toilet, a waterless composting toilet powered by mushroom mycelia (root-like structure of the fungi). This innovative outhouse separates solids and liquids, using fungi to break down waste and eliminate 90% of odor-causing compounds.

The result is over 600 liters of soil and 2,000 liters of liquid fertilizer produced each year, all without unpleasant smells. The project aims to reconnect people with natural cycles and rethink how we handle waste.

“We wanted to turn a daily routine everyone knows into a pleasant experience that reminds us of our connection to ecological cycles,” said Joseph Dahmen, the Project Lead and Associate Professor at UBC’s School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. “Composting toilets often carry negative associations. We aimed to create a system that’s clean, comfortable and easy to use.”   

Researchers are testing different fungi to find the most effective species for composting and odor control. The Myco Toilet is currently being trialed in the University of British Columbia’s Botanical Garden, blending sustainability and practical design.

The modular toilet requires just four maintenance visits a year and is wheelchair accessible.

“We’ve taken out the uncertainty that can scare municipalities away from composting toilets and solved it - the schedule is set, the ventilation is integrated, everything works as it should,” comments Prof. Dahmen.

Conventional chemical toilets contain formaldehyde and other chemicals that require treating waste as toxic material. Myco Toilet offers a safe, environmentally friendly alternative that also prioritizes user comfort and hygiene.    

This project highlights the potential of mushrooms to transform waste into valuable resources, supporting a more circular and eco-friendly approach to sanitation. 

Note: It certainly would be nice to see  a row of them at this year’s AgriFest.