Sustainability in Bathrooms

We have discussed the evolution of the bathroom and the history behind its major shifts. I’m curious about the direction the bathroom is headed in the future and if there are any sustainable fixes that can benefit our environment. The amount of waste that comes from a bathroom is enormous. Water, waste, toilet paper, and plastic materials are all used in bulk to provide ultimate luxury and comfort. Luxury was the trend of the 20th century, but we are reaching a need to evolve. We need to start thinking about the repercussions of these design choices as resources are quickly dwindling. First world countries are using an extreme amount of resources while developing countries deal with an extreme water shortage on a daily basis. A more equal distribution of resources is needed to provide this luxury to people around the world.

Figure 2: Yanko Design Water Conservation Method

Sensors have started the sustainability revolution in bathrooms. They have been present in public bathrooms for years and have reduced water usage as well as provide hygiene with their non-touch feature. Although sensors are a start, there is a long way to go to make a significant difference. Luckily technology is a continual development. More and more automation is anticipated to surface as many families are turning to smart home technology. According to arch daily some water conserving showers and bathtubs are already out there. The, “Orbital Systems’ Digital Recirculating Shower… purifies, reheats, and recirculates a few liters of water in a closed loop, promising to save up to 90% water and up to 80% energy” (Cao). Imagine how much water and energy this system could save if used universally. My fellow student Elena Kato did some research on sustainable and futuristic toilets. She found that bidet toilets have grown popularity after the US exported them to Japan because they eliminate the need for toilet paper and maintain proper hygiene. They are a mainstream item in Japan, but they need to become popular around the world to make a big enough environmental change. Figure 2 shows a design done by Yanko Design. It focuses on saving water as the concept is to reuse and filtrate the water.

The toilet was once the sole object that existed in our modern idea of the bathroom, but over the years a lot of elements have been incorporated into the cleansing and bathing ritual. With these additions comes many added energy and water uses and therefore more waste. We’ve continually added elements, but now it’s time to simplify those for our evolving environmental needs. A design done by Young Sang Eun, in figure 3, features a multi-use toilet that has a urinal and sit-down component. This design also self-sanitizes so it saves material and is hygienic. Technological advancements like these examples exist but the transition from the typical bathroom system to a more sustainable option is a long process. Adaptation into society is now what it’s going to take to make a large enough change.