Which Low-Flow Toilet is the Greenest of Them All?

Factoring the average household flushes and the toilet model, research reveals that a person could easily consume 11,000 gallons of water annually. A person using a low-flow toilet will definitly improve the data.

As water is an important resource, many are using low-flow toilets with 1.28 gallons per flush or 77% less water than conventional toilets.

Gravity-Assisted vs. Pressure-Assisted Toilets

Low-flow toilets use either gravity-assisted or pressure-assisted technology.

Gravity-assisted toilets use Newtonian physics to expel waste through a valve that opens when the handle is pushed. The siphoning effect created by the water flowing down the bowl and through the same hole coaxes the waste through.

However, this method is not always effective. Gravity-assisted toilets are among the cheapest, most basic, and easiest-to-maintain low-flow toilets available in the market, but they frequently require a second or third flush to remove all waste from the bowl. That waste is also more likely to get stuck if there is no pressure.

Toilets with pressure assist are more advanced. However, because they have more moving parts, they are more likely to break. Inside the main tank of these toilets is an air-tight secondary tank. The air is pressurized as the water fills the secondary tank. When the handle is pushed, pressurized air is released into the bowl, which increases the velocity of the flushing water. Because this system is more advanced, it is generally more expensive and more challenging to install, especially in older homes.

Low Flow vs. Dry Flush vs. Composting

Low-flow toilets can help users save a lot of water at home, but some alternative toilets eliminate the need for toilet water.

Dry Flush toilets, which are more commonly found in RVs than in homes, have a replaceable cartridge of bags that automatically line the toilet after each flush. The bag is twisted above the waste and discarded when the handle is pulled.

Batteries power dry flush toilets. They're great for conserving water, however, it poses issues of pollution. Also, the majority of bags for dry flush toilets are not biodegradable.

The composting toilet is another option, in which waste is mixed with a fibrous substance like coconut coir, sawdust, or peat moss, which aids in the composting process. Even though the process is archaic, this type of toilet is very popular in homes.

Composting toilets function by tossing a scoop of carbon-rich material down the toilet to mix with the feces. Some flushes require water, but only about a pint per flush. The entire process can be completed either manually or automatically using a high-tech toilet with an automatic mixing element. Some units also include heating and ventilation systems. Later, the waste compost can be safely applied to non-edible gardens.

Most Environmentally Friendly

Composting is the greenest of the three most common alternative toilet types because it uses very little to no water and "upcycles" waste into something suitable for the environment. However, it is recommended that you use sustainably sourced sawdust rather than peat moss, as peat excavation has several negative consequences.

Read also: Australia to Use 'Special Toilets' to Extract Human Urine as Plants Fertilizer 

Tips for Choosing a Low-Flow Toilet

• Choose an EPA WaterSense-certified toilet, which has been tested and uses no more than 1.28 gallons per flush.
• Check its MaP score to see how efficient it is. If the number is 500 or higher, the toilet will perform adequately.
• Pressure-assisted toilets can be boisterous with all of the sloshing involved with flushing. Request a demonstration from the sales team to check for toilet flushing noise.
• Pressure-assisted low-flow toilets are relatively new, and some could be prone to breaking. Broken parts are more than an annoyance; constantly replacing them can result in a large amount of plastic waste. The key is to do extensive research before purchasing. It is advisable to read reviews.

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