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Green Building Parks and Recreation Restroom Structures Project Index

Architect: Edelman Sultan Knox Wood, New York, NY   |   Engineer: P.A. Collins P.E., New York, NY

Green Building, Green Building Projects, Bronx Zoo Eco-Restroom, Clivus Multrum Inc.

Bronx Zoo Eco-Restroom

Bronx, New York

Conservation in the City

The Bronx Zoo has been educating and entertaining visitors since 1899. The Zoo's 256 acres makes it the largest urban zoo in the United States. It hosts two million visitors annually and is home to more than four thousand animals. Owned and operated by the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Zoo has a strong focus on environmental conservation. That focus has been applied to an interest in sustainable building practices at the Society's zoos.

The Best Solution

Restrooms near the Bronxdale entrance needed replacement due to a failing septic system. A new septic system at the site was rejected due to concern over the potential for pollution to the nearby Bronx River. A sewer connection was considered but was also abandoned due to the huge cost of tunneling under the Bronx River Parkway. Instead, the Zoo decided to install Clivus Multrum Composting Toilet Systems. In addition to saving money, the Clivus systems capture and recycle the nutrients in human waste and use only minimal water for flushing.

Eco Project of the Year

The Eco-Restroom accommodates more than ½ million visitors per year. Foam-flush toilets use only 6oz. of water per use, resulting in a savings of more than one million gallons of water each year, as compared to conventional low-flow (1.6gpf) toilets. Because the Eco-Restroom also includes a greywater irrigation system, the building manages all of its wastewater sustainably, onsite. The use of these technologies and others, including a rainwater harvesting system, maximized natural daylighting, and efficient radiant floor heating, contributed to the Eco-Restroom being named New York Construction's 2007 Eco Project of the Year.

• 10 commercial composters
• 15 Foam-flush toilets & 4 waterless urinals
• Greywater irrigation system
• Winner of New York Construction’s 2007 Eco Project of the Year

Case Study    Feature Sheet    Facility Profile

Copyright © 2010, Clivus Multrum, Inc.

Since 1973 Clivus Multrum has been the industry leader in composting toilets and greywater technologies. Composting toilets eliminate water from the waste stream and prevent the nutrients in human waste from becoming a source of pollution. Our waterless toilets and waterless urinals use no water at all. Our Foam-flush toilet is an ultra low flow toilet fixture that uses just six ounces of water per use. That’s a 97% water savings when compared with conventional 1.6 gallon per flush toilets. The M54 Trailhead is an ADA compliant pre fab or kit built stand alone restroom structure that comes in either a single stall or double stall with Clivus composting technology. The Trailhead is the natural solution for golf course and remote bathrooms. Clivus Multrum greywater systems (or graywater) recycle water from sinks, showers, dishwashers, and washing machines to irrigate plants. Many people consider composting toilets when looking for an alternative to conventional onsite waste treatment technologies. Satisfied Clivus customers include the National Park Service, the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, the City of New York, Green Builders, Parcs Canada, and state and local parks throughout North America and beyond.