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These tech-powered touches will turn any bath into an eco-friendly oasis.

By Nicholas Tamarin

Sustainable bath innovations play a crucial role in reducing water and energy consumption, minimizing waste and promoting earth-friendly practices. These modern technologies not only contribute to a greener home but also often lead to long-term cost savings through reduced water and energy bills. Integrating these products can make your bath not only more environmentally responsible but also more comfortable, thanks to their inventive, cutting-edge designs. So here are some pioneering bath developments moving the industry forward.

1. Water-Recycling Showers

Showers can now recycle and purify water as you wash. These systems filter, disinfect and recirculate water, reducing both water and energy consumption. Take the Orbital Shower, which bills itself as the first circular shower system and offers built-in purification and sensor technologies. The standard Orbital Shower package includes a shower head, hand shower, shower drain and hose and diverter — as well as a Control Dial that lets you set the exact temperature and water pressure while constantly relaying to you how much water it’s saving.

2. Water-Efficient Tubs

Smaller, deeper tubs use less water compared to traditional soaking tubs. Duravit, for example, offers a slew of tubs that, thanks to their optimum use of space, conserve water resources. With a standard size of 71 by 32 inches, the acrylic tubs in Duravit’s D-Code range by Sieger Design have comparatively low filling volumes while still offering relaxing comfort.

3. Dual-Flush Toilets

These go-to green toilets offer two flush options — one for liquid waste and another for solid waste — allowing users to conserve water by using the appropriate flush for the situation. And in the case of models like Toto’s high-tech Neorest, they serve as templates for the most far-out features for manufacturers to use — such as its paper-saving bidet with an instantaneous water heater for continuous warm water and energy savings, an auto flush feature with back-up manual flush for power outages and automatic and programmable energy saving systems.

4. Recycled Tiles

Tiles made from recycled materials not only look stunning but also reduce waste. That includes Daltile’s glamorous Uptown Glass series made with 98 percent recycled content. (Daltile’s manufacturing plants and offices recycle 175 million pounds of materials every year.) A stylish choice whether for walls, floor or showers, the mosaic tile is green-certified and completely free of VOCs, plastics and dangerous chemicals.

5. Sensor Faucets

Automatic faucets with motion sensors can reduce water wastage by shutting off when not in use. For instance, Delta Faucet’s futuristic Zura sink fitting operates in three ways: manually with the handle; with a simple touch anywhere on the spout or handle; or by placing hands anywhere around the device — all while shutting off automatically when not in use and consuming at least 20 percent less water than the industry standard.