LCA and co-design processes for a sustainable toilet sanitary cabin collection
LCA and co-design process for a sustainable toilet sanitary cabin collection
Project: Dry toilet sanitary cabins
Client: WseC
Location: Barcelona (Spain)
Year: 2023
Materials: Wood, recycled plastic
Keywords: Dry toilets, sustainable sanitation, ecodesign, regenerative economy
Why?
In order to offer sustainable solutions in the market, WseC asked us to develope a new sanitary cabins using the dry toilet technology for the catalog: three models suited for different environments and usage frequencies, whether for public or private spaces without access to water supply and sewage networks.
What?
Three cabins have been designed with specific dimensions and materials to suit different uses ans assembly processes while meeting the requirements of dry toilet technology used in each case. Their basic components include a seat, a tank, and a ventilation chimney.
Wsec has less than 9% of the environmental impact of a chemical toilet across all impact categories.
How?
The primary material is douglas fir, sourced from sustainably managed local forests and treated with linseed oil for durability. Two of the models feature a tongue-and-groove system for walls and flooring, while the third, buit for greater resilience, incorporates a galvanized steel frame with wood cladding. Additionally, recycled polycarbonate roofs maximize natural light, and seat tops made of recycled plastic are recommended for easy cleaning.
The design has been guided by eco-design principles, prioritizing renewable materials and modular construction for efficient transportation and dissassembly. A life cycle analysis was conducted to compare the environmental impact of dry toilet against a standard chemical WC. The results highlight the advantages of eliminating biocidal chemicals, demostrating that WseC has 90% less impact than its chemical-based competitors. Furthermore, by enabling composting, it fosters a regenerative economy.
