CU now sells a portable, waterless toilet

Convenience store CU's mobile lavatory, which doesn't require water to flush and turns waste into fertilizer [YONHAP]

A toilet on wheels might not be the first thing one expects to see at a convenience store. But CU now sells a mobile lavatory that doesn't require water — and can turn waste into fertilizer.

The portable bathroom can be installed in any space that is at least 1.2 meters (3.94 feet) wide and 1.35 meters long, with no sewage system, waterworks or government approval required, according to a product description updated on CU's mobile app Tuesday. The product costs 2.5 million won ($1,907).

The bathroom utilizes sawdust and humus, or dark soil, to cover up the smell of waste while it ferments to be used as fertilizer.

The lavatory's creator, social enterprise Space Seon, says the product targets the increasing number of people who dream of living in the countryside, owning gardens or running weekend farms.

Space Seon's rainwater harvesting tank, which stores rainwater for use in agriculture, gardening, cleaning and firefighting, is also available for 3.1 million won.

Both products can be found on the Pocket CU ecommerce app on a page themed “Our way of protecting the earth,” which is dedicated to the brand’s environmentally friendly products.

BGF Retail, the parent company of CU, has also operated environmentally friendly campaigns under its “Be Green Friends” slogan, taking actions such as installing solar modules on its distribution centers and eliminating disposable products like plastic straws.

“We are introducing a variety of environmentally friendly products that reflect the conscious consumption trend,” said Park Hee-jin, the team head of BGF Retail’s ecommerce platform. “We will continuously strive to become a ‘green platform’ that is mindful of the earth by systematically designing environmentally friendly activities.”

BY KIM JU-YEON [kim.juyeon2@joongang.co.kr]