The green movement, all over the world, is gathering steam. The latest is the emphasis on green architecture. In this context a three days Green West Exposition and Conference was held at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California. The majority of about 75 exhibits, on display had green theme to them. The exhibits had wide variety of technologies that could be used to harness solar energy, save electricity, water, fuel and other green efforts. One of the interesting exhibits at the Expo was Water saving toilets that included Waterless Urinal.

Waterless Urinal was introduced in 1992 by Waterless Company and others companies such as Falcon Waterfree Technologies and Sloan Valve Company, as well as Duravit, followed suit in 2001. This type of technology utilizes a trap that is filled with a sealant liquid. This liquid is lighter than water, thus it floats on top of the urine collected in the U-bend, it traps the odor and prevents it from being released into the air. The sealant is required to be replaced after a period of time, however, it manages to save around 56,800 to 170,000 liters of water per urinal per year. These types of Urinals are installed in the water deficient areas or where water saving is desired.

Uptill now the technology was prevalent in Western World, but slowly it is making inroads in India too. However, India is still lacking in per capita availability of Urinals and we are used to open air, out in the nature type of excreting habits. At the same time, it would be better still, if Waterless Urinals are able to make inroads in Indian country side before their with-water counterparts could.