While most are only focused on the ‘personal flow’ while using a urinal, there is another flow uses a surprising amount of liquid.
Standard urinals use a lot of water. Let’s say the average urinal is flushed between 40 and 120 times per day. Did you know this uses between 55,000 and 170,000 liters of water per urinal per year (assuming a 6 L flush).
This doesn’t even take into account the hand washing that occurs after. Washing hands takes on average between 1 and 3 litres of water on top of the urinal use. So when men use urinals and wash their hands between 7 and 9 litres of water is used.
This is more than the personal recommended daily intake of water!!!
Consider this:
This is a concept where hand washing and urinal use is combined. After using the urinal, hand washing washes the urine down. Collaboration saves resources!! While this is a cool idea it would only work in a low traffic location, just think of the bottleneck that could be created as this concept would double the time of use. Also washing your hands right above where you urinate might not be the most pleasant option.
Maybe that’s why this product is not widely seen on the market. What’s starting the be widely seen are waterless urinals. They work by containing a liquid that is less dense than urine. This liquid will float on top of the urine, reduce odours, as gravity forces the urine down the drain.
This is what we see in the market and it makes sense, I personally do not want to be washing my hands overtop of urine. Waterless urinal technology and separate sinks is so far the most hygienic and eco-friendly option.
Another excellent article Scott. I am the type of person that is always looking for new ways to improve our impact as a society on the enviroment and am always open to new ideas that further that initiative. However, saying that I agree that the idea of washing my hands right where I just did my business with some stranger breathing down my neck trying to get me to hurry up is not the most appealing option. The second option of the waterless urinal seems like a much more appealing option. My only question would be how much does this new technology cost compared to traditional models? Basically what is holding back this technology for being the norm?