A Bio-Toilet is a complete waste management solution which reduces solid human waste to Bio-gas and water, with the help of a bacterial Inoculum.
Biological decomposition of Human waste is done in bio-digester tanks with the help of anaerobic bacteria. Bio-Toilet is an innovative technology for disposal of solid human waste in an eco-friendly, economical and hygienic manner.
Bio-Toilet is completely different toilet as compare to the traditional restrooms. It saves a lot of water and helps in keeping the environment clean.
Bio-digester technology treats human waste at the source. A collection of anaerobic bacteria that has been adapted to work at temperatures as low as -5°C and as high as 50°C act as inocula (seed material) to the bio-digesters and convert the organic human waste into water, methane, and carbon-dioxide gases.
The anaerobic process inactivates the pathogens responsible for water-borne diseases and treats the shit without the use of an external energy source.
Under the bio-toilet concept of the DRDO, the bio-digester tank in every toilet is filled with inoculums containing four types of bacteria.
The water trap system in the toilet prevents air from getting into the tank, the human waste is processed by anaerobic bacteria in seven chambers in the tank and the methane gas is allowed to escape into the air.
After the completion of this process, only methane, carbon dioxide gases and water remains. These gases are left in the environment whereas water can be recycled and used in toilets again.
Benefits of Bio-Toilets
- In the traditional toilets; human excreta was released on the rail tracks directly causing damage to the metal of railway tracks as well as spreading the dirt in the environment. Now it will not happen.
- Traditional toilets spent at least 10 to 15 litres of water in one flush, while vacuum-based bio-toilets need just half a litre of water.
- India’s stations will now become clean which will support “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” of Government of India.
- These bio-toilets will provide respite to those who manually clean the shit at the platforms.


