The city of Amsterdam is going greenThe local council has installed eight hemp-filled, sustainable urinals
The local council has installed eight hemp-filled, sustainable urinals in the city’s “wild peeing” hotspots.
At first glance, the urinals — called GreenPees — look like traditional planters, with greenery sprouting from the top. But look more closely and you’ll notice an opening in the side. This is the target zone for urination.
The GreenPees have many benefits, according to De Vries, from protecting historical buildings from the corrosive effects of urine, to reducing water use compared with traditional toilets.
The planters also effectively green the city, attracting bees and other insects, he added.
And all that urine doesn’t go to waste. GreenPee produces organic fertilizer and water, which can be used to feed and water the city’s green spaces, says De Vries.
It looks great but it’s also functional.
I – Word Understanding
Going green – environment friendly
Sustainable – can be continued (to be used) for a long period
Corrosive – gradual damage usually caused by chemical reaction
II – Have Your Say
1, Has there been an issue of public urination in your country/area? Who are the usual culprits of public urination in your country? What has been done to effectively solve this issue?
2, What is the penalty for public urination in Japan? What are the other minor public misconducts commonly committed around you? (vandalism, street fights, etc)
3, Speaking of going green, what initiatives or sustainable products/programs have been introduced in your community?
4, How does your city protect and preserve important/historic buildings and places?
763 These planter-like urinals are Amsterdam’s answer to the problem of ‘wild peeing’
