Envirolet and EcoTech Carousel Composting Toilets
Envirolet and EcoTech are two popular manufacturers of toilet composting systems. In this article I discuss and compare the different composting toilets that both these manufacturers currently have on the market.
Envirolet is a Canadian based company manufacturering composting toilets since 1977 (they have distributors in the United States and Europe as well). Sancor Industries manufacturers the Envirolet Composting toilets, and you are able to purchase these directly from the manufacturer.
There are currently four types of envirolet composting models available. Their Waterless Self-Contained non-electric model is the most affordable, costing around $1750 USD. This model contains a small wind turbine on the vent stack which assists with ventilation (instead of an electric fan). Their centralized systems include both waterless and low flush models. Their electric waterless remote system is sized for eight individuals, and costs about $2300 USD (not including installation costs). Their newest model, the “FlushSmart” composting toilet, looks and operates in a manner that is remarkably similar to a flush toilet, and starts around $3300 USD. You will need to install a drain system to work with the low flush systems.
Envirolet seems to be a good choice particularly for consumers interested in flush toilet composting systems. These models still use considerable less amount of water than regular flush toilets, but some may find them distasteful in how they mimic a very wasteful and environmentally harmful technology (see “What is Wrong with a Flush Toilet?”).
EcoTech is a manufacturer of probably the most popular carousel composting toilet system on the market (for a discussion of different composting systems read “Types of Toilet Composting Systems“). The EcoTech carousel is based on a Norwegian composting toilet design popular with residents of housing developments in Scandanavia. There are currently over 35,000 EcoTech carousel composting toilets currently installed in Norway.
The carousel features four rotating composting chambers that are meant to be emptied anywhere between twice a year and once every four years depending on model and use. There are two main models available, the medium and large EcoTech Carousel.
The medium EcoTech carousel model is built for daily use by up to four individuals, and starts around $2700 USD. The large model can accomodate up to six individuals with daily use, and starts around $4400. (Listed prices do not include importanat accessories such as heaters, exhaust fans, pipes and fittings, nor do they include any installation or shipping costs).
A huge advantage of the EcoTech carousel system is that the system design ensures that no “fresh” material can mix with the older composting materials (which can be an issue with certain self-contained and remote composting toilet systems). You will need a basement or similar space underneath the toilet in order to use this system as there are, unfortunately, no self-contained models. The EcoTech carousel is well suited for four to six individuals using the system daily, and will thus suit most family needs.
If you are interested in reading reviews of other composting systems, including a comparison of the Sun-Mar and BioLet composting toilets, please return to the Toilet Composting Home Page.
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