waste disposal

Given the callous nature demonstrated by most oil executives with regards to Peak Oil issues, it's only a matter of time before they move toward solutions like the one below. In a sense, the policy is already in effect when you consider how developed nations extract energy from the third world. Perhaps the most surprising thing about this story is that someone suspected it was fake.

After noting that current energy policies will likely lead to "huge global calamities" and disrupt oil supplies, Wolff told the audience "that in the worst case scenario, the oil industry could "keep fuel flowing" by transforming the billions of people who die into oil," said a Yes Men press release.

Yes Man Mike Bonnano, posing as an Exxon representative named Florian Osenberg, added that "With more fossil fuels comes a greater chance of disaster, but that means more feedstock for Vivoleum. Fuel will continue to flow for those of us left."

The impostors led growingly suspicious attendees in lighting Vivoleum candles made, they said, from a former Exxon janitor who died from cleaning a toxic spill. When shown a mock video of the janitor professing his desire to be turned in death into candles, a conference organizer pulled Bonanno and Bichlbaum from the stage.

I found a great resource referencing the state-by-state regulations on composting toilets at Weblife.org. It appears that our concern that most states have banned their use is unfounded -- my own state of Florida, in fact, encourages their use. It’s a touch out of date, so please post if you can find a more recent compilation. But, definitely good news.

One of the most vexing problems in designing for sustainability is what to do with human biological waste. We invariably take for granted the simple magic that sweeps the waste away from our homes and into sewage treatment devices. In most cases, the massive community processors and individual septic systems will not function after Peak Oil, which begs an important question: what do we do then?