In the BVG look: the new, three-part EcoToilet at Invalidenpark in Mitte. It contains a sitting toilet, urinal and “missoir”. An HPL coating should make it easier to remove graffiti. On the roof: solar technology and rain collection technology Photo: Ufuk Ukta
By Stefan Schilde
No water, no electricity – and yet it works! In the future, 24 self-sufficient toilets will be available to Berliners and tourists in parks and green spaces free of charge. BZ says how the climate toilets work.
Self-sufficient means: The toilets need neither water nor electricity connections. There is no rinsing, for example, straw flour is supposed to minimize odors instead.
In the “Missoir” the small shop for women becomes a hanging party. EcoToilet representative Sven Riesbeck: “We received positive feedback at other locations.” Men have their usual urinal next door Photo: Ufuk Ukta
In each Berlin district, one model each from the companies “EcoToilets” and “Finizio” will be tested for a year. Total costs of the pilot project: 1.7 million euros, of which almost 650,000 euros are operating costs for daily cleaning and maintenance.
With the rain collection technology, the EcoToilet also enables hand washing. The same applies here: everything is barrier-free Photo: Ufuk Ukta
The big business results later end up in Eberswalde. There, Finizio is researching humus fertilizer (solid) and complex fertilizer (liquid) from human remains – both for agricultural use. The resources end up in separate tanks so that they can be processed further.
Luckily only a dry run: Finizio sales manager Lilly Müller (28) shows where the full tanks are emptied afterwards Photo: Ufuk Ukta
Finizio Managing Director Florian Augustin (31): “We are still working on the legal release of the recycled fertilizer. There are legitimate concerns about pathogens and drug residues. We want to eliminate them with our research.”
Thanks to the “Libre” air-conditioning toilet from the Finizio company, the bushes no longer have to serve in the Steglitz city park. Unit price: 21,350 euros Photo: Ufuk Ukta
His vision: man-made super fertilizer for more sustainability, plus less energy consumption and pollutant emissions in water treatment and chemical fertilizer production.
“Unisex and barrier-free” is the motto at Finizio: lowered pee basin, plus handrails. But: Instead of a washbasin, there is only the disinfectant dispenser. Photo: Ufuk Ukta
And what about the feared damage caused by vandalism? After all, there is no payment barrier. EcoToilet spokesman Sven Riesbeck (32): “We can only appeal to everyone to be careful with this free offer.” As I said: a test …
The signs contain Braille Photo: Ufuk Ukta
All Berlin climate toilets at a glance: berlin.de/parktoilets