JR Hokkaido Tests Bio-Toilet System on Commercial Trains

Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido) announced on January 14, 2009, that it would introduce a new bio-toilet system onto commercial trains for the first time in Japan. From January 31 through March 8, 2009, the bio-toilet was tested on the "Ryuhyo Norokko" train, which runs during the drift ice season between Abashiri and Shiretoko-Shari Stations in Hokkaido, northern Japan.

The new system is designed for use on trains, and has been jointly developed by JR Hokkaido, Bio La-far Inc., a manufacturer of garbage disposal systems and bio-toilets, and Star Engineering Co., a manufacturer of micromotors and food waste disposal systems. In conventional systems, the human waste has to be periodically removed from toilet tanks. However, the bio-toilet uses bacteria to decompose the waste in septic tanks located on the passenger cars, and eliminates the need for emptying, thereby reducing the energy necessary for disposal and environmental impacts.

JR Hokkaido plans to collect data on the bio-toilet system, and to confirm its usefulness, before considering wider application.

Posted: 2009/05/05 06:00:15 AM