Toilet Composting

Composting Toilet Types: Remote and Self-Contained Units Compared

M Day — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 02:33:17 +0000

Recently, more and more people have become interested in installing a compost toilet in their home. Compost toilets have many environmental and financial advantages: they help conserve water, they help reduce the possibility of sewage or groundwater pollution, they eliminate the costs associated with maintaining sewers and septic systems, and their end product is actually beneficial for the environment (compost) instead of polluting.

However, if you are shopping for a composting toilet, you may be a bit confused by the selection and the different models currently available. There are literally dozens of compost toilet manufacturers offering a variety of different types and features on composting toilets to choose from. However, there are two basic different types of composting toilets that you must choose between: self-contained or split (also known as “remote”).

Self-contained compost toilets are ideal for small homes and spaces. They are quite easy to install and are often ready to go right out of the box. There are both electric and non-electric versions that you can purchase. Electric versions usually have a fan that helps maintain the correct moisture density within the composting chamber. They also tend to be cheaper than the split composting toilet models.

Some of the down-sides of self-contained models include the small number of individuals they can adequately serve – most models cannot handle more than two people, and some may only be suitable for one individual to use on a daily basis. They may also appear a bit bulky, and many models are quite tall and require a foot stool for use. Some consumers find them more difficult to maintain as well, since the smaller size requires more frequent monitoring to make sure the compost stays in balance.

Split, or remote, composting toilets are the best choice if you will be having multiple individuals using the toilet on a daily basis. With a spit model, the composting chamber will be located in a different part of the house (usually directly beneath the toilet in a basement area) and many models look very similar to a regular flush toilet.

Split compost toilets generally are more expensive than self-contained models and require additional installation and plumbing costs. You also need adequate space and an appropriate space to install these units in your house. However, when you factor in the savings you will have in water costs and sewage or septic system maintenance costs, these units should still be a good economical choice.

In sum, by taking into careful consideration the number of people who will be using the composting toilet and the space available in your house, you should be able to find a composting toilet that works well for you and is the right choice for the environment as well.

Bill Boor has written numerous articles about composting toilet systems and portable composting toilets.

Composting Toilet Systems: What You Need to Know

M Day — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 23:26:49 +0000

There are many different kinds of composting toilet systems currently available for home consumers to purchase. Composting toilet systems generally contain the following four components:

a reactor, which is the container in which the composting takes place;
an exhaust system, to remove odors and help control liquid build up;
a means by which to turn the compost (for some systems, some will not need turning);
a way to remove the finished compost, which may be as simple as an access door to the finished product

How these four features are integrated into the composting system vary considerably, as there are many different composting toilet models that have been developed by composting toilet manufacturers. With most composting toilet systems the entire composting process will take between six to twelve months of time, after which you will be able to remove the finish compost and use it as a soil amendment for trees, flowers and other non-agricultural uses.

When evaluating composting toilet systems, it is important to know that there are two important different ways in which these systems can be installed in your home.

First, there are self-contained composting toilets. With a self-contained unit, the composting process takes places in a reactor directly under the toilet seat. These composting toilets are often quite high and large, and may need a small footstool for use.

Next there are remote composting toilets (also called “split” or “centralized”). With these systems, the reactor is located in another area of the house, often in a basement. The advantage of remote composting toilet systems is that the toilets look and are used in a manner which is quite similar to regular flush toilets. There are even micro-flush remote composting toilet units which use a small amount of water, and look nearly identical to regular flush toilets.

Self-contained composting toilets are generally cheaper to use and easier to install than remote composting toilets. However remote composting toilets are able to serve more users and are often easier to clean and maintain than self-contained units.

Types of Toilet Composting Systems

Common Problems with Manufactured Composting Toilets

M Day — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 02:50:29 +0000

Manufactured composting toilets are wonderful in many ways: they save water, produce a valuable end product that benefits the environment, lessen pollution and can even save on money (despite their initial costs). When installed and used properly they should be completely odorless and produce rich, fully composted humus that is easy to remove from the toilet and use in your flower gardens (or elsewhere).

However, many users of manufactured composting toilets by Sun-Mar, Envirolet, BioLet and other composting toilet models have had less than ideal experiences with their composting toilets. As with the problems with homemade composting toilets that I have discussed in my personal account of using a humanure homemade composting toilet, the problems with manufactured composting toilets are frequently due more to user error than due to a problem with the toilet composting system itself. Still, these problems are common enough to suggest that there needs to be made more effort on the part of manufacturers to properly educate consumers about common problems with these systems and how to avoid them.

Here are some of the common problems users report with different manufactured composting models – as well as some ways these problems may be remedied or avoided altogether.

1. Problems with liquid build up in the composting toilet.

This is by far the most common complaint I have common across in my research of manufactured composting toilets complaints (it also was a problem I experienced with homemade composting toilet buckets, but due to their small size and frequency of being emptied not as significant of a problem, I think). This fluid is generally a result of people urinating in the toilet. The composting process will simply not work properly in most composting toilet systems if there is too much fluid in the system.

Some users, and even some manufacturers, recommend not using composting toilets to urinate in, but this does not seem like an adequate solution to me (and many other users). Particularly for females, it is a hassle to have to urinate in a separate container or outdoors (not to mention that this may be illegal in some areas). Excess liquid can be controlled, however, by adding adequate amounts of dry material to balance the composting matter and using electric fans and heaters to help evaporate and dispel excess moisture (so for those purchasing non-electric models, extra care will have to be taken to keep the system in order). In addition, there are now models being manufactured that divert urine away from the “dry” composting area (for fecal matter). For an example of this system, check out the Nature’s Head composting toilets.

2. Problems with Odor.

A well functioning composting toilet (whether homemade or manufactured) should be odorless. Odor problems are a sign that there is a serious problem with the system. Frequently this is due to the liquid issues discussed above.

Composting toilets rely on aerobic decomposition, but with excess liquid, the process will instead convert to anaerobic decomposition (for a discussion of these two processes, read “How Toilet Composting Works“). Both of these decomposition processes are found in nature, but anaerobic decomposition is the the smelly one, and if your toilet has gotten out of balance, the smell can be quite bad indeed.

To remedy this problem, you need to get your compost back in balance by adding dry matter to it. Unfortunately, if it is really bad, you may have to remove some of the liquid matter first – a quite unpleasant task – so it is best to try to keep this problem from developing in the first place!

3. Problems with removing the finished compost from the toilet.

There are two significant problems users may encounter when it is time to remove the compost. First, we return again to the issue of excess liquid – if the mixture is too wet, it will be difficult and smelly removal process (and you may well decide to remove the toilet along with the compost!).

A second issue some users report is a result of overloading the system. For most composting toilets, you need to make sure the finished compost is removed promptly. You may also be able to make the process of removal easier by using very lightweight organic brown matter for your dry matter in the composting toilet. Peat moss may be an ideal medium for most composting toilets (although there may be concerns about using it due to environmental issues).

Switching to any toilet composting system – be it homemade or manufactured – requires a significant change in practice and much education. Anticipating what are very common problems by users, and providing full disclosure of these issues are and how to resolve them, would be a great benefit many users of these toilet composting systems. Furthermore, it would also help promote composting toilet usage instead of leaving some composting toilet users frustrated, angry and often abandoning and discouraging others from using a valuable green technology.

For more information about composting toilets and reviews of different composting toilet systems, please return to the Toilet Composting Home Page.

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.

Remote and Self-Contained Composting Toilets Compared

M Day — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 22:02:39 +0000

When selecting a composting toilet for your home, you will be faced with the choice between a remote (or “split”) composting toilet system or a self-contained composting toilet. Each model has its own advantages and disadvantages, and careful consideration of each type should be made prior to any purchase.

Here are some of the differences between the models and recommendations about their use:

Self-Contained Composting Toilets

If you are looking for a composting toilet that is easy to install and affordable, a self-contained composting toilet should be considered. These models are best suited for one or two individuals, or for occasional use by more individuals in a vacation home.

Most of the major composting toilet manufacturers (Envirolet, BioLet, Sun-Mar) make self-contained composting toilet models. Other than installing a vent, many of the models are almost ready to go out of the box and are easily installed in your home. You should be aware, however, that some of these models can be quite large, given that they are complete all-in-one composting units. Some may find their bulky size a bit disturbing (many models require a foot stool to climb on top of, for example), and they also may be a bit more difficult to empty.

One thing you want to be certain of when using a self-contained composting toilet is not to overload the system, otherwise you may end up with a wet and smelly mess to deal with. Be sure the model is well suited for the number of users and well maintained as well. Since this model will be completely situated in your bathroom, you will want to assure there are no leaks or odors.

Remote (or Split) Composting Toilets

If you have a family that is larger than two individuals looking to use a composting toilet on a daily basis, you should probably consider a remote composting toilet unit. These are sometimes also called a “split” composting toilet since the toilet and the composting chamber are literally split into separate components, with the composting bin generally located in a separate location beneath the composting toilet (usually a basement).

Some advantages of the remote composting toilet systems is that they look more like flush toilets. Some models, such as those produced by envirolet, come in interesting colors as well, and vacuum and micro-flush remote composting toilet units are available as well. On the whole, remote composting toilet systems are better suited for daily family usage.

On the downside, remote composting toilets tend to be more expensive than self-contained models, and they will incur additional installation costs as well. You will also need a basement or similar location to place the remote composting bin, and not all homes are able to accommodate these systems.

For more information on composting toilets, including composting toilet reviews, and composting toilets buyer’s guides, return to the Toilet Composting home page.

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Remote (Central or Split) Composting Toilet Systems

M Day — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 21:04:41 +0000

Remote composting toilet systems (also known as “split” or “central” composting systems) are the best choice for most families looking to install a composting toilet in their home. Remote composting toilet systems are often compared to self-contained composting toilets. Each type of system has its own benefits and advantages.

Self-contained composting toilets are ideal for individuals and occasional use in a cottage or vacation home (for more about these models, read “Self Contained Composting Toilets“), but if you have more than two individuals interested in using a composting toilet on a daily basis, you should consider installing a remote composting toilet system.

There are many advantages to remote composting toilet systems. The primary advantage is their ability to service multiple users. Some models are built to be able to service up to ten individuals on a daily basis (for an example, check out the Envirolet Waterless Remote Composting Toilet).

Another advantage is that aesthetically these toilets look very similar to regular flush toilets. Some composting toilet users may find the self-contained models to be too large and bulky. With remote composting toilets, only the toilet itself will be in your bathroom. The composting chamber will be located either in a basement or outside your home.

Remote composting toilet systems also tend to come with many additional features not found in the self-contained models. For example, Envirolet creates remote composting toilet models in many brilliant colors (including bright pink). There are also micro-flush and vacuum-flush composting toilets that closely mimic regular flush toilets in term of use (but without the enormous waste of water).

There are some disadvantages to remote systems, however. The primary problem for many is finding an appropriate location for composting chamber. This can be a particular challenge if you home does not have a basement and experiences freezing temperatures outdoors.

Another disadvantage may be the cost. Remote composting toilets, because of their larger size and additional parts, can cost significantly more than a self-contained composting toilet (for more information, read “How Much Do Composting Toilets Cost?“). And additional costs will be incurred during the actual installation of these units, which usually requires professional assistance.

However, for those seeking a composting toilet that can adequately serve multiple users on a daily basis, remote composting toilets provide the best answer. Not purchasing a composting toilet model large enough to deal with the amount of waste being generated can result in enormous problems for owners, and should be avoided at all costs. Even though there is additional costs and efforts associated with a remote composting system, you will find it is well worth the expense and effort.

For more information about composting toilet systems, including articles about “Composting Toilet Basics” and “Composting Toilet Reviews,” please return to the Toilet Composting Homepage.

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Self Contained Composting Toilets

M Day — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:02:14 +0000

If you are considering purchasing a composting toilet for your home, you will need to choose between either a self-contained composting toilet or a remote composting toilet system (also known as a “central” or “split” composting system).

There are several advantages to choosing a self-contained composting toilet. First, they are much easier to install than a remote composting toilet system. In fact, other than installing a vent for the toilet, you will need to do little when you install the unit. You will not need to hook the toilet up to a basement composting chamber with a self-contained composting toilet. With a self-contained composting toilet, you are getting an “all in one” unit. The toilet and the composting bin are combined in the unit, with the composting process going on right under the seat.

Because there are few installation costs involved, and because the units are more compact and fewer parts than remote systems, self-contained composting toilets also tend to be a much cheaper option when compared to remote composting toilet systems. (For more on the price of composting toilets, read “How Much Do Composting Toilets Cost?“)

However, this is also a disadvantage for some as well: because of their small size, self-contained composting units only have a limited capacity. If there are more than two individuals using the toilet year round, a self-contained composting toilet system is not for you. In fact, even two individuals may overburden many models, and you need to choose your model carefully if for more than one individual. Self contained composting toilets are probably most ideal for occasional usage in cottages or seasonal and vacation homes, or for year around usage by a single individual.

Most composting toilet manufacturers produce self-contained composting toilets (some also produce remote systems as well). You will find that manufacturers like Sun-Mar, BioLet, and Envirolet all have several self-contained composting toilet models to choose from, each with its own unique features. You should certainly compare the models and read different composting toilet reviews before making your final selection.

If you have more than two people who will be using a composting toilet, or if you are just interested in learning more about remote composting toilet systems, take a look at the article “Remote (Central, or Split) Composting Toilet Systems.” These systems are generally ideal for year-round usage by families or large groups.

For more articles about composting toilets, including “Composting Toilet Basics” please return to the Toilet Composting Homepage.

Composting Toilet Manufacturer Reviews

M Day — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 21:33:31 +0000

You will find a variety of reviews of different composting toilet systems at Toilet-Composting.Com.

Here is a list of several different composting toilet manufacturers, and links to the reviews written about them at this website.

If you would like to suggest another company for review, please use the contact information listed in the “About Me” page listed above:

For additional information about composting toilets, including answers to some of the most Frequently Asked Questions about Composting Toilets, and articles about the basics of Composting Toilets, please return to the Toilet Composting Homepage.

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Composting Toilet Basics Index

M Day — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 19:21:40 +0000

If you are researching composting toilets, you may find some of the information in the “Composting Toilet Basics” section of this website useful. Here is an index of the articles you can find here:

Getting a Compost Toilet Approved. The most difficult aspect of placing a composting toilet in your home is likely going to be gaining approval and permit by local city officials. This articles discusses some of the challenges and recent changes in the local approval permitting process for compost toilets.
Ecological Sanitation and Composting Toilets. This article discusses the emerging waste paradigm of ecological sanitation. Sometimes referred to as EcoSan or Eco-San, one of the primary tenants of this paradigm is that human and household “waste” is actually a valuable resource instead of a waste product to be thrown away
Common problems with Manufactured Composting Toilets. Although there are many benefits to using a manufactured composting toilet model in your home, there are also some common problems, which this article discusses.
Toilet Composting Basics. Just a straightforward discussion of the basics of composting toilets, including what they are, how they work and links to resources for more information.
Five Reasons You Should Use a Composting Toilet. If you need more convincing that switching to a composting toilet is a good idea, take a look at this article.
History of Composting Toilets. Discusses the somewhat murky history of composting toilets.
Incinerating, Desiccating and Composting Toilet Comparisons. Incinerating and desiccating toilets are two other alternative to flush toilet systems, and this article compares the three different systems.
Guide to Purchasing a Compost Toilet. Here are some of the most important questions you will need answered and issues to consider when purchasing a composting toilet for your home, RV, or boat.
Leave No Trace: Portable Composting Toilets for Camping. Camping trips pose special challenges when it comes to properly disposing of and composting waste. This article discusses some of the most recent products developed to assist with this process.
Build a Compost Toilet: Information and Plans. Discussion and plans for building a homemade compost toilet.
How Composting Toilets Work. Discusses the difference between aerobic and anaerobic decomposition and the mechanics of how the composting process works in composting toilets.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Composting Toilets. Although composting toilets are a great green technology, they may not be for everybody. Here are some of the benefits and challenges of switching to a toilet composting system.

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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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Composting Toilets for Boats: General Features and Requirements

M Day — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:39:21 +0000

There are many reasons to consider switching to a marine composting toilet for your boat. Composting toilets provide an excellent alternative to holding large amounts of waste during sailing expeditions, or to discharging chemically treated waste into open waters. Even though the starting costs run around $1200 for most composting toilet models, they can still be quite a bit cheaper than outfitting a boat with a standard marine head and holding tank.

And besides these practical advantages, composting toilets have additional environmental advantages to consider as well. A compost toilet will help save on water usage, eliminate the need for chemicals to treat waste, and produce a valuable end product that can be used in place of chemical fertilizers around trees, flowers and other plants.

However, composting toilets also present certain challenges for boaters as well. They must be constructed so as to be able to handle a considerable amount of turbulence. There is a problem regarding the space requirements of many self-contained composting toilets, and the power requirements as well: most composting toilet models require that a vessel have enough power so that they can run a 12-volt, 4 watt fan continuously, and a heating unit occasionally (to control moisture and prevent odors).

Fortunately in recent years several manufacturers have stepped up to the challenge and started to produce composting toilets meant specifically for marine use. The Sun Mar Mobile is one such example. With this model, the Sun Mar corporation created a special mechanism to ensure the composting drum is always held in upright position during “violent motion.” They also developed a special gasket system around the finishing drawer to ensure there are no leaks from it as well during rough weather. Space modifications features were put in place to that more vessels can accommodate them (such as fold-up foot rests) and special filters were installed for the vent stack so there are no odors at deck level. The model is not cheap, however, and starts around $1600, but it is an excellent example of a composting toilet built specifically for marine uses.

The space requirements will still be a challenge for smaller craft, however. If you are considering purchasing a composting toilet you need to ensure that it will be able accommodate the number of people using it, otherwise you will end up with an overflowing toilet with unfinished compost inside. The Sun Mar Mobile is suitable for one person, possibly two, but would not be able to accommodate any more people except for occasional outings. You will also need to provide some space to store the dry carbon matter that is used instead of water for these models (sawdust and peat moss are probably the most commonly used materials). And you need to ensure that there is adequate space to be able to remove and empty the finishing drawer once the compost is ready.

If you are interested in learning more about the composting process, you should read the article “Toilet Composting Basics.” If you would like to learn more about what you can do with the finished compost from a composting toilet, read “What is Humanure and What Can I Do with It?“ Otherwise, return to the Toilet Composting Homepage, where you will find many additional articles and resources regarding composting toilets.

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Marine Composting Toilets

M Day — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:55:53 +0000

Marine composting toilets (boat composting toilets, or marine composting heads) can be a great addition to any vessel, and can help solve many problems that boaters encounter when it comes to holding and emptying toilet waste. However, many composting toilets may be considered too large to use on small vessels, although composting toilet manufacturers are increasingly working on creating models better suited for both the space requirements and the motion requirements needed for marine toilets.

Because the composting toilets manufactured for marine use are self-contained models, you will need enough space to accommodate both the toilet itself as well as room to pull out the composting drawer. There will be no additional plumbing required for most models. However, in order to lessen potential for odor and to help maintain the composting system in order, most system use a fan and your boat will need to have adequate power to be able to continuously run the fan (usually 4 watts, 12 volts).

In terms of cost, marine composting toilets can compare quite favorably against the cost of other marine toilet systems, particularly those that require a holding tank for waste. Most marine composting models run around $1200 or more. Although it may be tempting to go with a slightly cheaper self-contained composting toilet not built specifically for marine uses, you may regret this decision due to the specific challenges boats present in terms of properly containing the waste during bad weather.

For example, the Sun Mar Mobile composting toilet, probably one of the most sophisticated marine composting toilets currently on the market, currently costs around $1600. It can be used by one to two people full time use, and possibly accommodate even more for weekend outings. Sun Mar has put a lot of effort into designing a toilet that will deal well with “violent motion.” For their mobile unit, they made sure that the finishing drawer was gasketed in a manner so that absolutely no liquid could escape, and they also built a special drum locker that could ensure that the composting drum is continually held in an upright position. Additional special modifications for marine units include such features as fold-up foot rests and activated carbon and zeolite filters to ensure that there is no odors on the deck where the vent stack protrudes.

From an environmental standpoint, marine composting toilets are beneficial for multiple reasons, but not the least because they do not require any chemical additives, require no water to maintain, and create an end product (humus) that is a valuable soil additive that actually benefits the environment (instead of a waste product that needs to be treated and disposed of properly). The compost that is produced by marine composting toilets is absolutely sanitary and can used to fertilize a wide variety of plants and trees (for more, read “What are the Environmental Benefits of Composting Toilets?” and “What is Humanure and What Can I do with It?“)

Self-contained composting toilets are generally Coast Guard Certified Type III MSD. For more information about composting toilets, you can also read “Toilet Composting Basics” or return to the Toilet Composting Information Home Page, where you will find dozens of informative articles about composting toilets.

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Getting a Composting Toilet Approved

M Day — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 03:14:45 +0000

The most difficult aspect of placing a composting toilet in your home is likely going to be gaining approval and permit by local city officials. Unfortunately, there are no national guidelines and approval of composting toilet systems are generally done on a city by city basis.

Local health officials in many regions may be extremely biased against any nontraditional waste disposal method. Many cities don’t even allow rainwater catchment, so trying to convince them that humanure is a great idea is quite a challenge! For this reason, most composting toilet owners in the United States do not even bother seeking permits, instead using them clandestinely in their homes. Just like the “solar guerillas” who often illegally set up solar systems in their homes due to oppressive regulations, there appears to be a large composting toilet guerilla underground movement as well.

But there is encouraging changes happening as the number of users of composting toilets continues to grow. In a recent New York Times article (dated July 6, 2009), reporter Kate Galbraith noted that many cities are now at least considering a policy that encourages (or accepts) composting toilets in residential homes. She writes that, “Last month the city of Austin, Tex., approved its first composting toilet. Columbus, Ohio is adding some composting toilets to its parks [and] Officials in Dutchess County, N.Y., are studying the concept [of approving composting toilets].”

Galbraith also interviewed Jim Weaver of BioLet composting toilets, who noted that manufactured composting toilets is definitely a growth industry, with BioLet currently selling over 1,000 a units a year (and BioLet is a fairly small company compared to some other composting toilet manufacturers, including Sun-Mar and Envirolet).

There are also additional attempts to create national standardization and regulation criteria. The National Sanitation International Foundation is now setting manufacturing standards and certifying composting toilets in the United States and abroad.

Still, the approval process is still not easy for most regions in the United States. This is an area where more activism seems to be needed, and although the permiting process can be grueling (and often unsuccesful), silently installing a composting toilet does little to help on this front (although it does undoubtedly to a lot of good for the environment). Activism and education seem to be the key to encouraging people to switch from the wasteful flush toilet method to the more environmentally sustainable practice of toilet composting.

For more information about composting toilet methods, composting toilet reviews, and information on how to build a homemade compost toilet, please return to the Toilet Composting Home Page.

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Ecological Sanitation and Composting Toilets

M Day — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:27:01 +0000

Ecological sanitation is a new, and still emerging, paradigm for dealing with human and household waste in a manner that is beneficial for the environment. Sometimes referred to as EcoSan or Eco-San, one of the primary tenants of this paradigm is that human and household “waste” is actually a valuable resource instead of a waste product to be thrown away.

Ecological sanitation systems seek to to create “closed-loop” sanitation systems by working to make the nutrients from the output of human feces and urine available to input into agricultural uses (which then, by providing food for humans becomes “output” again). Ecological sanitation methods also promote soil fertility without using chemical fertilizers and work to assure food security for future generations.

According to biointensive agricultural expert John Jeavons, “Each person’s urine and manure contain approximately enough nutrients to produce enough food to feed that person,” and ecological sanitation methods aim to capitalize on this value of human “waste.” Ecological sanitation methods also aim to reduce the amount of soil, surface and groundwater contamination due to septic or sewage based waste disposal systems.

Composting toilets play an important role in many ecological sanitation based systems, as they are able to turn human and household organic waste into humus which can then be recycled into the environment in very beneficial ways. The composting toilets used in ecological santiation systems can be either high-tech and low-tech, and both homemade composting toilets and manufactured ones have a role to play in this system.

The homemade composting toilet system developed by Joseph Jenkins is one example of a low-tech (and nearly free) composting toilet that is integrated into an ecological sanitation paradigm. Joseph Jenkins has also long been an advocate for using the compost produced by these toilets (which he calls “humanure”) for agricultural purposes. (For more information about humanure, read Jenkin’s book (available online) “The Humanure Handbook.” You can also read a short article from this website entitled “What is Humanure and What Can I Do with It?“)

As long as the waste disposal system is a closed-loop system and beneficial to the environment, there are many different ways in which ecological sanitation systems can be organized. Other possible elements that ecological sanitation systems can include are vermicomposting (worm composting), solar toilets, and in some cases, leach fields and planter cells (such as with an earthship design).

For more information, you can read Christine Werner’s excellent article on the topic, “Closing the Loop through Ecological Sanitation” (PDF file). There are several EcoSan centers globally, including the EcoSan Center at the Norwegian University fo Life Science UMB and EcoWaters in the USA.

For more information on toilet composting systems and for answers about frequently asked questions about composting toilets, please return to the Toilet Composting Home Page.

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