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December 7, 2017

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Suzhou 3D toilet block 鈥榦ne up on concrete鈥

A 3D-printed public toilet block, covering an area of 200 square meters, is drawing attention in Suzhou in east China鈥檚 Jiangsu Province.

Located in Sun Mountain National Forest Park, the green and wood-colored toilet block has been named 鈥渓ittle box in forest.鈥 It was made from construction garbage using 3D printing technology.

The eco-friendly toilet block was built without any steel, but is stronger than those built from concrete, according to park staff.

As part of China鈥檚 鈥渢oilet revolution,鈥 the national drive to upgrade public toilets, Suzhou has been using advanced technology in its toilet facilities.

At some scenic sites, tourists can scan QR codes with their phones to receive 80 centimeters of toilet paper. They can scan the codes multiple times for more paper, but have to pay if they use too much.

Pu Zexin, general manger of Suzhou Chuzhibao Internet of Things, the developer of the toilet paper machine, said the invention was intended to prevent toilet paper being wasted.

Staff at the Humble Administrator鈥檚 Garden tourist site said the technology can help to save nearly 9,000 yuan (US$1,360) per toilet annually.

It is estimated that the machines have helped to cut the use of toilet paper in the city鈥檚 public toilets by an average of 80 percent. More toilets will be equipped with the machines.

Suzhou is also using big data technology to improve the management of public toilet facilities.

An online service platform has been launched for toilets in tourist areas, allowing users to quickly find the nearest toilet and be informed of the queue length.


 

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