{"id":130434,"date":"2020-11-15T08:00:02","date_gmt":"2020-11-15T18:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=130434"},"modified":"2020-11-20T12:46:09","modified_gmt":"2020-11-20T22:46:09","slug":"dont-flush-burn-it-toilet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2020\/11\/15\/dont-flush-burn-it-toilet\/","title":{"rendered":"Don&#8217;t flush, burn it! Incineration toilet could solve cesspool problem"},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 3<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span><div class=\"responsive-video-wrap-post\"><figure class=\"wp-block-embed wp-block-embed-youtube is-type-video is-provider-youtube epyt-figure\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><div class=\"epyt-video-wrapper\"><iframe  id=\"_ytid_58045\"  width=\"676\" height=\"676\"  data-origwidth=\"676\" data-origheight=\"676\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/VhpNsnC86ns?enablejsapi=1&origin=https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu&rel=0&autoplay=0&cc_load_policy=0&cc_lang_pref=&iv_load_policy=1&loop=0&fs=1&playsinline=0&autohide=2&theme=dark&color=red&controls=1&disablekb=0&\" class=\"__youtube_prefs__  no-lazyload\" title=\"Don&#039;t flush, burn it! Incineration toilet could solve cesspool problem\"  allow=\"fullscreen; accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen data-no-lazy=\"1\" data-skipgform_ajax_framebjll=\"\"><\/iframe><\/div><\/div><\/figure><\/div>\n<p>The first state-of-the-art incineration toilet in <span aria-label=\"Hawaii\">Hawai&#699;i<\/span> that uses no water and produces no sewage is now in operation on the Moku o <span aria-label=\"Loe\">Lo&#699;e<\/span> (Coconut Island) in <span aria-label=\"Kaneohe\">K&#257;ne&#699;ohe<\/span> Bay at the University of <span aria-label=\"Hawaii\">Hawai&#699;i<\/span> at M&#257;noa\u2019s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.himb.hawaii.edu\/\"><span aria-label=\"Hawaii\">Hawai&#699;i<\/span> Institute of Marine Biology<\/a> (<abbr>HIMB<\/abbr>). The proof-of-concept project for reducing sewage pollution from environmentally damaging cesspool systems in <span aria-label=\"Hawaii,\">Hawai&#699;i,<\/span> and is a collaboration between <abbr>HIMB<\/abbr>, <a href=\"https:\/\/waicleanwater.org\/\">Wastewater Alternatives and Innovations<\/a> (<abbr>WAI<\/abbr>) and Cinderella Eco Group.<\/p>\n<p>There are an estimated 88,000 cesspools in <span aria-label=\"Hawaii,\">Hawai&#699;i,<\/span> the highest number per capita in the country, that discharge more than 53 million gallons of raw sewage each day, according to the <span aria-label=\"Hawaii\">Hawai&#699;i<\/span> Department of Health Wastewater Branch. The raw sewage of cesspools enters underground aquifers, which can pollute our drinking water, and coastal waters, which can damage fragile marine ecosystems. The <span aria-label=\"Hawaii\">Hawai&#699;i<\/span> Department of Health is requiring that all cesspools are upgraded, converted or closed by January 1, 2050.<\/p>\n<div style=\"float:right;clear:right;margin:0 0 0 15px;\"><figure id=\"attachment_130515\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-130515\" style=\"width: 250px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/manoa-himb-toilet-shed.jpg\" alt=\"outhouse\" width=\"250\" height=\"350\" class=\"size-full wp-image-130515\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/manoa-himb-toilet-shed.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/manoa-himb-toilet-shed-214x300.jpg 214w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/manoa-himb-toilet-shed-93x130.jpg 93w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-130515\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo credit: <abbr>HIMB<\/abbr><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<div style=\"float:right;clear:right;margin:0 0 0 15px;\"><figure id=\"attachment_130513\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-130513\" style=\"width: 250px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/manoa-himb-toilet-crew.jpg\" alt=\"people in outhouse\" width=\"250\" height=\"350\" class=\"size-full wp-image-130513\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/manoa-himb-toilet-crew.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/manoa-himb-toilet-crew-214x300.jpg 214w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/manoa-himb-toilet-crew-93x130.jpg 93w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-130513\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo credit: <abbr>HIMB<\/abbr><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<div style=\"float:right;clear:right;margin:0 0 0 15px;\"><figure id=\"attachment_130512\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-130512\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/manoa-himb-toilet-collection-bin-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"pulling out piece in toilet\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-130512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/manoa-himb-toilet-collection-bin-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/manoa-himb-toilet-collection-bin-130x73.jpg 130w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/manoa-himb-toilet-collection-bin.jpg 676w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-130512\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo credit: <abbr>HIMB<\/abbr><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<p>&ldquo;This kind of project is important for <span aria-label=\"Hawaii\">Hawai&#699;i<\/span> because our freshwater resources are continually going to become more scarce, our utilities are going to become more expensive, and our sewage systems are going to have more stressors put on them as population densities increase,&rdquo; said <strong>Judy Lemus<\/strong>, interim director of <abbr>HIMB<\/abbr>. &ldquo;We really need to protect our resources in <span aria-label=\"Hawaii\">Hawai&#699;i<\/span> and so a solution like the incinerator toilet is a great alternative.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<h2>How it works<\/h2>\n<p>The toilet uses a small amount of energy from propane gas to incinerate both liquids and solids, and produces a pathogen-free, odorless ash that can be disposed of in the trash or used as a soil amendment in gardens or compost piles. The self-contained system does not require connections to municipal water, sewer or electrical infrastructure.<\/p>\n<p>The design is simple and highly efficient. Liquid and solid wastes are drawn into an incinerator chamber powered by propane gas or electricity (the <abbr>HIMB<\/abbr> model uses propane gas). The waste is burned at approximately 540 degrees celsius into fine ash, which is collected in an ash container. The toilet can handle four uses per hour and the ash container only needs to be emptied once per week. <abbr>HIMB<\/abbr> estimates that the five gallon propane tank will last for 120&#8211;150 uses.<\/p>\n<h2>A model island<\/h2>\n<p>Located on the islet of Moku o <span aria-label=\"Loe\">Lo&#699;e<\/span> in <span aria-label=\"Kaneohe\">K&#257;ne&#699;ohe<\/span> Bay, <abbr>HIMB<\/abbr> is faced with many challenges that mirror those in <span aria-label=\"Hawaii.\">Hawai&#699;i.<\/span> <abbr>HIMB<\/abbr> is connected to municipal water, sewer and electricity services on <span aria-label=\"Oahu\">O&#699;ahu<\/span> through high density polyethylene conduits that run underneath <span aria-label=\"Kaneohe\">K&#257;ne&#699;ohe<\/span> Bay. While cesspools are not the issue, resources are limited and utilities are expensive. The incineration toilet adds an environmentally sustainable bathroom on island for employees and visitors in a high traffic location where there were previously no facilities.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We know that water is precious and scarce in <span aria-label=\"Hawaii\">Hawai&#699;i<\/span> and we really want to conserve water whenever we can,&rdquo; said Lemus. &ldquo;So as a conservation-based research institution we\u2019re very interested in identifying sustainable solutions that will help us reduce our environmental impact.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<h2>Cinderella toilet<\/h2>\n<p><abbr>WAI<\/abbr> is an environmental nonprofit dedicated to reducing sewage pollution and restoring healthy watersheds by providing innovative, affordable and eco-friendly solutions to waste and wastewater management.<\/p>\n<p>Cinderella Eco Group has been developing and selling incineration toilets since 1999. <abbr>WAI<\/abbr>\u2019s Executive Director and Co-Founder Stuart Coleman first learned about the Norwegian-based company&#8217;s incineration toilets in 2018.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Since then, we\u2019ve been working with Cinderella to bring their innovative technology to <span aria-label=\"Hawaii,\">Hawai&#699;i,<\/span>&rdquo; Coleman said. &ldquo;The current <abbr title=\"Chief Executive Officer\">CEO<\/abbr>\u2019s father basically invented the incineration toilet so we are stoked to set up this pilot project at <abbr>HIMB<\/abbr>. It\u2019s a great way to reduce sewage pollution and provide alternatives for areas with no sewer infrastructure.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;These are waterless systems that don\u2019t require water for flushing or a connection to a municipal sewage system, or an in ground septic system,&rdquo; said Lemus. &ldquo;They look exactly like a regular toilet, and they can burn both solid and liquid waste and they\u2019re excellent for areas in which you don\u2019t have any other municipal connections.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_130511\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-130511\" style=\"width: 676px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/manoa-himb-toilet-collection-bin-ash.jpg\" alt=\"toilet ash\" width=\"676\" height=\"381\" class=\"size-full wp-image-130511\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/manoa-himb-toilet-collection-bin-ash.jpg 676w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/manoa-himb-toilet-collection-bin-ash-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/manoa-himb-toilet-collection-bin-ash-130x73.jpg 130w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 676px) 100vw, 676px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-130511\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo credit: <abbr>HIMB<\/abbr><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><abbr>HIMB<\/abbr> is the first in the state to begin operating a state-of-the-art incineration toilet that uses no water and produces no sewage. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26,12],"tags":[53,92,9,56,1043],"class_list":["post-130434","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-video","tag-hawaii-institute-of-marine-biology","tag-school-of-ocean-and-earth-science-and-technology","tag-uh-manoa","tag-video-2","tag-water","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/130434","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=130434"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/130434\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":130449,"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/130434\/revisions\/130449"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=130434"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=130434"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=130434"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}