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A User-Friendly and Sustainable Toilet Based on Vermicomposting

Author

Listed:
  • Fernando Alonso-Marroquin

    (School of Civil Engineering, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia)

  • Ghulam Qadir

    (School of Civil Engineering, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia)

  • Jad Nazha

    (School of Civil Engineering, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia)

  • Vanessa Pino

    (School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia)

  • Arianna Brambilla

    (School of Architecture, Design, and Planning, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia)

Abstract

Environmental awareness has sparked increasing interest in changing the way humans interact with their environment. This awareness includes the change in paradigm of considering human manure (humanure) not as a waste but as a valuable bioproduct instead. In this regard, composting is an age-old technique for nutrient recovery that has gained renewed interest, as it may be a sanitary and financially viable solution to closing the loop of human–nature interactions. This work investigates environmental solutions for toilet systems that are user-friendly and sustainable based on systems that filter nutrients via vermicomposting. The methodology is based on (1) reviewing several surveys across different continents to select the most appropriate interface of a targeted society, and (2) investigating the microbial dynamics of vermicomposting. The microbial activity was compared with the activity of the aerobic composting systems by measuring soil temperature, soil composition, decomposition rate, stabilization factor, and biological diversity. The microbial decomposition process in vermicomposting was faster due to the presence of earthworms, but the increase in temperature and volatile ammonia led to the earthworms burrowing into the soil. Overall, the flush toilet is still the most socially accepted toilet interface, and the connection of vermicomposting to this toilet interface poses challenges in managing high ammonia content and maintaining healthy conditions for the earthworm population.

Suggested Citation

  • Fernando Alonso-Marroquin & Ghulam Qadir & Jad Nazha & Vanessa Pino & Arianna Brambilla, 2023. "A User-Friendly and Sustainable Toilet Based on Vermicomposting," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-26, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:16:p:12593-:d:1220779
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ghulam Qadir & Vanessa Pino & Arianna Brambilla & Fernando Alonso-Marroquin, 2023. "Staircase Wetlands for the Treatment of Greywater and the Effect of Greywater on Soil Microbes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-30, March.
    2. Georgios P. Antoniou & Giovanni De Feo & Franz Fardin & Aldo Tamburrino & Saifullah Khan & Fang Tie & Ieva Reklaityte & Eleni Kanetaki & Xiao Yun Zheng & Larry W. Mays & Andreas N. Angelakis, 2016. "Evolution of Toilets Worldwide through the Millennia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(8), pages 1-55, August.
    3. Jonathan Jared Ignacio & Roy Alvin Malenab & Carla Mae Pausta & Arnel Beltran & Lawrence Belo & Renan Ma. Tanhueco & Marlon Era & Ramon Christian Eusebio & Michael Angelo Promentilla & Aileen Orbecido, 2018. "Perceptions and Attitudes Toward Eco-Toilet Systems in Rural Areas: A Case Study in the Philippines," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-20, February.
    4. Rahul Datta & Divyashri Baraniya & Yong-Feng Wang & Aditi Kelkar & Ram Swaroop Meena & Gulab Singh Yadav & Maria Teresa Ceccherini & Pavel Formanek, 2017. "Amino Acid: Its Dual Role as Nutrient and Scavenger of Free Radicals in Soil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-9, August.
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