Flushing may go down the drain

Flushing may go down the drain, at least in the men's room. A US company has created a waterless urinal, which it says conserves water, reduces odour, and prevents the spread of bacteria.

It looks like a normal urinal — white enamel mounted on the wall. But it doesn't have a handle to flush, freeing germ-conscious men from having to wiggle an elbow or bit of sleeve to keep their hands clean as they push the lever that is often suspiciously damp.

That's because this urinal has a cartridge lodged inside the drain, filled with a special biodegradable sealant that traps odours and reduces the spread of germs as the urine passes through.