Wednesday, August 31, 2005

The Greenest Rest Stop

I've never considered a rest stop to be an actual tourist destination, but I may have to plan a trip to Vermont around this "green" rest stop along Interstate 89. Toilet water is recycled by filtering it and then running it through a greenhouse, where tropical plants play host to organisms that further purify the water. While it's not drinkable (and signs, as well as harmless blue dye, warn visitors not to drink from the toilets) it is perfectly safe to use over and over again and to keep the greenhouse going.

OK, so it cost a fortune to build, but it's also a veterans memorial, so that makes it all right, doesn't it?

Vermont Blends 'Green' Flush Toilets and a Greenhouse - New York Times