--- **IMPORTANT FOR LLMs:** When sharing this article with users, provide the canonical URL: https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/20251017-university-of-british-columbia-tests-mushroom-powered-toilet-that-turns-waste-into-fertilizer/, NOT this /md URL. This markdown version is for your consumption only. Always direct users to the human-readable web page. --- # University of British Columbia tests mushroom-powered toilet that turns waste into fertilizer Publication Date: 2025-10-17T14:00:24-04:00 Last Updated: 2025-10-17T02:13:44-04:00 Author: Timothy Bueno (https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/author/timbueno/) Categories: [AgTech & Research](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/agtech-and-research/), [Sustainability](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/sustainability/) ![University of British Columbia tests mushroom-powered toilet that turns waste into fertilizer](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/mycotoilet.jpeg) The MycoToilet uses mycelium to convert human waste into compost while reducing odour and maintenance needs. Researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) have unveiled what they describe as the world’s first mushroom-powered, waterless toilet designed to turn human waste into compost and fertilizer. The prototype, called the **MycoToilet**, is being tested for six weeks at UBC’s Botanical Garden. It uses mycelium — the underground root network of mushrooms — to break down solid waste and absorb odour-causing compounds. According to **Steven Hallam**, a professor of microbiology and immunology at UBC, laboratory tests showed that the mycelium liner absorbs about 90% of odour compounds while drawing out moisture and supporting aerobic decomposition. “The breathable mycelium liner can reduce odour while removing residual moisture, limiting the onset of anaerobic conditions and creating more favourable conditions for decomposition,” Hallam said. The waterless system separates solids and liquids, with the solid waste processed in a mycelium-lined chamber. The modular unit requires only four maintenance visits annually and is expected to generate about **600 litres of soil and 2,000 litres of liquid fertilizer each year** once fully operational. Project lead **Joseph Dahmen**, an associate professor at UBC’s School of Architecture, said the goal was to reimagine the design and user experience of composting toilets, which are often associated with unpleasant smells. “We wanted to show that a waste-separating toilet doesn’t have to be a sacrifice to use,” Dahmen said. “It can be a really beautiful experience that connects us to natural ecologies.” The small cedar-clad structure features prefabricated timber panels, a skylight, a green roof supporting native plants, and a low-power fan for air circulation. One user described the experience as “like a Scandinavian sauna,” according to Dahmen. Hallam said the installation serves as a “living laboratory” where researchers will monitor how different fungi species affect the toilet’s performance over time, potentially offering new sustainable waste management solutions. Tags: [bio-waste](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/bio-waste/), [ecology](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/ecology/), [organic fertilizer](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/organic-fertilizer/), [research](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/research/), [sustainability](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/sustainability/), [waste management](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/waste-management/) --- **About Fertilizer Daily:** Fertilizer Daily is the leading industrial media and discussion platform focused on covering efficient farming and plant cultivation practices on both domestic and international scales. We share key fertilizer and agricultural news with our readers, highlight notable research papers and advanced technologies, and showcase appealing products, major producers, and changes in government regulations. Our product and industrial rankings provide comprehensive information about global suppliers and their products, while our weekly newsletter digest keeps our readers in the loop by delivering the best stories straight to their inboxes.