Designer Kunrui Peng has developed a blow-up toilet that weighs less than one kilogram and can be carried on hikes to prevent human waste from spoiling the wilderness.
Peng designed AirPot as an alternative to burying faeces in the ground, which is now known to leave lasting impacts on the environment.
AirPot is an inflatable toilet for hikers
"I came up with this idea after discovering some irresponsible 'remains' deep in the forest while out hiking with my mother," the designer told Dezeen.
"Since then, I have been researching their impact and harm besides being an eyesore and trying to find a solution."
The seat is made of PU-coated polyester and nylon
Peng's research for the project, which was undertaken during his final year of studies at the Muthesius University of Fine Arts and Design in Kiel, Germany, referenced data showing that in 2022 there were 59.6 million hikers in the US alone. The growing popularity of outdoor pursuits can lead to issues around responsible toileting, which prompted him to propose a novel design solution.
AirPot's inflatable seat is accompanied by a plastic pot and biodegradable toilet bags, which together form a compact and lightweight kit that weights less than one kilogram.
It can be inflated by waving it in the air and rolling up the opening to seal it
The seat is easily mounted by waving it in the air to inflate, rolling up the opening to seal it and folding the inflated form into a U-shape.
The two ends clip together...