Toilet Composting » Portable

Frequently Asked Questions about Composting Toilets

M Day — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:58:58 +0000

If you are just learning about composting toilets, or have an interest in purchasing one for your home, cabin, boat or RV, you are likely to have many questions.

Below you will find links to articles from this website answering some of the most common questions I have encountered regarding composting toilets. (If you are unable to find an answer to your question, or have questions or comments about the answers I have posted, feel free to send me an email using the contact information provided above):

Five Top Questions about Composting Toilets. Fast answers to some of the most common questions people have about compost toilets.
What are Composting Toilets? A discussion of the basics of a composting toilet system and how it works.
What is Humanure and What Can I do With It? Answers questions about how to use and the safety of the compost produced by composting toilet systems.
What Can You Put in a Compost Toilet? Besides the obvious (human waste, toilet paper), there are many other ways most composting toilet systems can be used to process organic household waste. This article discusses the many different ways you can use a compost toilet in your home.
How Much Do Composting Toilet Cost? If you are considering purchasing a composting toilet, you may initially be surprised by the price tag. But composting toilets are actually an excellent investment for your home, and this article explains why.
Where Can Composting Toilets be Used? You may be surprised at all the locations suitable for composting toilets.
What is Wrong with a Flush Toilet? Read this article to find out.
Are Composting Toilets Safe? This article answers some of the concerns you may have about the safety of composting toilets and humanure.
What are the Environmental Benefits of Composting Toilets? An excellent discussion of why composting toilets are a good choice for the environment.
Where can I learn more about composting toilets? For more articles about the fundamentals of composting toilets and how they work, check out the “Composting Toilet Basics” section of this website. To learn about what kind of composting toilet system is right for you, you should check out “Composting Toilet Systems.” If you are interested in reading reviews about different manufacturers of composting toilets, check out the “Composting Toilet Reviews” category of this website. There are also pages devoted to documenting many Online Resources for composting toilets, and suggestions for Books on Composting Toilets that you can read. You can also return to the Toilet Composting Homepage to read the most recent posts about composting toilets.

Nature’s Head Composting Toilet Review

M Day — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 20:36:08 +0000

One of the most frequent and serious problems that owners of composting toilets frequently complain about is dealing with excess liquid in their composting toilets. Excess liquid can change the composting process from aerobic to anaerobic decomposition, which means you will have an odorous mess on your hands. Composting toilets will not work if they are flooded with liquid, and can be quite unpleasant to empty if they end up in this state.

Most composting toilet manufacturers state this is a problem with how these models are being operated. Users must add the proper amount of dry carbon materials when they are using them (sawdust, peat moss and the like) and electric fans and heating elements should also help eliminate excess liquid as well. Still, many find that finding the proper balance is a challenge and often are discouraged or angry when their composting toilets become out of balance.

The Nature’s Head composting toilet may be a solution for those who are frustrated with dealing with excess liquid in their toilets. This composting toilet has a unique internal separation device the diverts urine into a separate tank (to be emptied frequently by the user), thus keeping the other portion of the composting toilet essentially dry (in fact, you made need to add moisture to this toilet in order to ensure complete and proper composting).

The Nature’s Head composting toilet models also are a bit easier on the pocket book than many other composting toilet systems. The basic Nature’s Head Composting Toilet starts at $850, nearly half the price of a Sun-Mar mobile composting toilet which is designed for similar purposes (marine and recreational vehicle use. The unique design features of the Sun-Mar Mobile are discussed in the article “Composting Toilets for Boats“).

However, Nature’s Head composting toilets are not for everyone. These models were specifically designed for mobile applications (campers, boats, trailers and the like) and have a limited user capacity. They are built for small spaces, but may seem a bit small for residential purposes. If more than a couple of people will be using your composting toilet, you will probably be better off considering a remote composting toilet system rather than a small, self-contained model such as that being produced by Nature’s Head.

Nature’s head is a fairly new company on the composting toilet front and do not have a huge track record to back them up (”head” is the term boaters use to refer to toilets, hence the name “Nature’s Head”). The company is headquartered in Mobile, Alabama and started production and shipping of their composting toilets in June, 2007. The few reviews that I have found and read, however, have been quite positive.

If you are interested in reading more about portable composting toilets for marine, camping and other outdoor applications, as well as additional articles covering the basics of toilet composting and other manufacturer reviews, please return to the Toilet Composting website.

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Composting Toilets for RV’s

M Day — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:48:52 +0000

Let’s face it: RV’s are not generally thought of as the most environmentally sensitive road vehicles, but this still does not mean that if you are driving one you should not consider ways in which to lessen your environmental impact on the earth. Switching to a composting toilet is an important option to consider for your recreational vehicle, for both environmental and practical purposes. It is worth seriously considering the following benefits and challenges of using a composting toilet in your recreation vehicle.

Some of the benefits of using a composting toilet in an RV include not having to worry any more about where you will next be able to “pump out” our toilet waste. You will no longer need chemicals or to carry water to flush or treat the toilet waste you are carrying in your vehicle. And the end product of the composting process is a rich, soil like substance (humus) that is a valuable soil additive that actually benefits the environment.

Some of the challenges you might face when installing a composting toilet in your RV include space considerations. Not only will you need enough space in your RV to be able to install the composting toilet, but you will also need to ensure you have adequate space to empty the finishing drawer easily as well. Price may also be a consideration, with most composting toilet models starting over $1000 U.S. Power may also be an issue, as you will need a continual power supply to run the fans for the electric models.

If you are considering purchasing a composting toilet for your RV, you should purchase a model designed specifically for applications that involve movement – marine or vehicle composting toilets. These models have features not found in regular composting toilets that ensure the composting materials stay within the composting drum during rough roads and sharp turns. They will generally have special gasket systems that prevent leakage, and possibly rotating drums to ensure the material is always in an upright position.

Many manufacturers that specializing in making mobile composting toilets, such as the Sun-Mar corporation and Nature’s Head, have developed many space saving features on these models that make them attractive to RV owners (such as folding foot rests). As long as your unit is sized properly for the number of individuals using it, a composting toilet can be an excellent alternative to traditional portable RV toilet systems. However, do not overburden your composting toilet by selecting a toilet too small for the number of users. If you do so, you will end up having to empty a toilet with only partially composted waste – not a pleasant undertaking.

After you have installed your composting toilet, you can then move onto installing your RV solar roof panels, wind turbine, and converting your RV to run off of biodiesel and used vegetable oil. Or maybe not – just some suggestions.

For more information about mobile and portable composting toilets, answers to commonly asked questions about toilet composting systems, composting toilet manufacturer reviews and more, please return to the Toilet Composting home page.

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Leave No Trace: Portable Composting Toilets for Camping

M Day — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:58:41 +0000

A portable composting toilet is ideal for camping excursions

In order to protect the environment of national parks and trails, hikers and campers should follow the “Leave No Trace” guidelines. These guidelines help ensure that no individual leaves behind waste that others will encounter while on the trail, and this applies to every kind of waste. I can remember how on one of my earliest hiking adventures I came upon a disgusting mess of toilet paper and human waste left on the side of the trail. If you are planning a family camping trip in the near future, you should consider investing in a portable composting toilet to help ensure you follow the “leave no waste” guidelines and leave the outdoor areas as clean as they were before you arrived.

The idea of bringing a portable composting toilet with you to the outdoors might have you envisioning lugging a port-o-potty along with your family on the trail. But be assured there are other much more reasonable and lightweight options. Most portable composting toilets on the market will weigh less than five pounds, and will fold down to an easily packable size. Most models rely on you decomposable composting bags that you will pack-out with you when you return home.

For example, the Nature Bio-Toilet is ideal for family camping excursions. It folds up to only 4 inches high, and weighs less than five pounds. This model is quite affordable and can be purchased online from Cabelas for around $50. The toilet can support individuals who weigh up to 250 pounds.

Another option is the PETT Environmental Composting Toilet (pictured above). This very portable toilet is used by Forest and Park Services and can hold up to 800 pounds, while only weighing 7 pounds. Pair this with a Cabana portable shelter for privacy if you like as well.

Finally, one of my favorite designs is the Jimmy’s Thunderbox portable composting toilet, made by an Australian manufacturer. It folds down to less than an inch in height, sets up in just minutes, and weighs well under 10 pounds. You’ll have to order and have it shipped from Australia if you are interested in using it on your next camping outing, however, so be sure to allow adequate time for delivery.

Please take the time to ensure you are well prepared for your next camping outing by looking into investing in a portable composting toilet. By doing so you will be able to ensure you truly “leave no trace” and help protect our natural environment.

For more information about portable composting toilet systems suitable for outdoor applications (including larger models that are ideal for large outdoor events), or about toilet composting in general, please return to the Toilet Composting Home Page, where you will find many articles covering the basics of the toilet composting process and answers to commonly asked questions about the safety and advantages of switching to a composting toilet system.

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Outdoor Portable Composting Toilet Systems

M Day — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 17:34:00 +0000

Composting toilets provide an important solution to the issue of dealing wit human waste. New home composting toilets on the market are able to recycle human waste into the environment quickly and with little odor. But the home models are quite large and what if you are on the move? What if you need portable composting toilet for an outdoor event, a boat, recreational vehicle or your next camping trip?

Fortunately there are now new portable composting toilet models being manufactured that are ideal for campers, boaters and RVs. And if you aren’t interested in purchasing a ready-made composting toilet for your next outing, there is also the option to build a cheap portable composting toilet at your final destination in a matter of a few hours.

Manufactured Portable Composting Toilets

There are now several models of portable composting toilets on the market:

1) Large Portable Composting Toilets

If you are looking for a portable composting toilet similar to the portable toilets you see at fairs and other outdoor event, you should take a look at the BIOWC portable composting toilet. This model is suitable for events where there will be large numbers of people in need of a portable toilet. The downside may be that it is quite large and you will need a trailer of some sort to transport it to the location where you will be using the portable composting toilet.

2) Medium Sized Portable Composting Toilets

If you are looking for a portable composting toilet for your recreational vehicle or boat, there are several decent ones available on the market. Nature’s Head has a small self-contained composting toilet that is quite popular with boaters. You will need no chemicals to maintain this composting toilet. The only thing you will need to add is peat moss to keep the composting mixture balanced in terms of green and brown organic matter. The Sun-Mar Mobile is another excellent choice in terms of medium sized portable composting toilet (although also a bit pricey – it costs around $1600 U.S.).

3) Small Portable Composting Toilets

Jimmy’s Thunderbox Portable Composting Toilet is ideal for camping and has a unique design. This portable composting toilet folds down to 1 inch in height and weighs under 10 lbs, and only take minutes to set up. It is manufactured in Australia, however, so if you live in the United States and Canada you will have to plan for adequate shipping time. The cost is quite low, and the toilet relies on you using degradable composting toilet bags which you will also have to purchase.

Another option is the Boi Toi Nature Bio-Toilet, which also relies on decomposable composting bags and is available in the United States at Cabelas outdoor stores. It is only four inches high when folded (13×21 inches in diameter) and weighs under five pounds, also quite affordable.

Build a Composting Toilet on Site

If you are interested in an even cheaper option for a composting toilet outdoors, you can build a composting toilet toilet on site cheaply using five gallon composting containers. If you are interested in learning how to build your own composting toilet, you can read the instructions here.

For even more information about composting toilets, including articles on How Toilet Composting Works and the Environemental Benefits of Composting Toilets, please return to the Toilet Composting Home Page.