If you are looking for a compost toilet for your home, you can choose between two main options: either build a compost toilet on your own, or purchase a manufactured one. There are important similarities and differences between these two different types of composting toilets, and advantages and disadvantages for each model.
Similarities between Homemade and Manufactured Compost Toilets
Each type of composting system will be used in basically the same manner. After using the toilet, you will add some brown organic matter (for example, peat moss or sawdust) to keep the compost balanced between green and brown matter. Also, both homemade and manufactured composting toilets will produce the same end product: a rich compost that can be used to amend soil around trees, bushes, flowers and non-edible plants.
Differences between Homemade and Manufactured Compost Toilets
One of the major differences is how the composting process will work with each of these systems. With a manufactured system, the composting will generally take place within a centralized composting chamber located beneath the toilet, in a series of rotating buckets, or with self-contained models, right under the seat.
Some models will have a built in turning system to speed up the process, others will provide ample space so that the compost will move slowly downwards over time and will be fully composted by the time it reaches the bottom of the chamber. With manufactured toilets, users will only come in contact with the toilet contents once they are fully compost and ready to be used.
Homemade compost toilets, on the other hand, generally rely on a small container under the compost toilet being emptied into an outdoors compost bin. With a homemade compost toilet, users will have to empty uncomposted materials into the compost bin where the composting process will then take place.
Advantages of a Manufactured Compost Toilet
The ease of use is one of the main advantages of a manufactured composting toilet. Users will not have to haul waste to an outdoor composting toilet, nor will they have to worry about turning the composting waste, animals entering the compost bins and so forth. Although users do need to ensure that there is a right balance of brown and green composting materials in the chamber (by making sure they add brown matter when using the toilet), most manufactured compost toilets require little effort from their owners.
Other advantages of manufactured compost toilets are their aesthetics and comfort. Many models look remarkably similar to flush toilets (there are even micro flush composting toilets that are nearly identical in appearance to flush toilets). Most models are manufactured for maximum comfort and ease of use.
Finally, many manufactured compost toilets have been certified by different health and sanitation agencies, and this can assist with getting local permits approving these systems.
Advantages of Homemade Compost Toilets
The primary advantage of a homemade compost toilet is the price: you can build your own composting toilet for under $50 in materials. For those wanting a quick and cheap set up, you can not beat a homemade compost toilet.
Many would argue that another huge advantage of building your own compost toilet is the sense of accomplishment you will have and the intimate knowledge you will develop regarding the composting process.
For more information, comparisons and reviews of toilet composting systems, return to the Toilet Composting Homepage.
Are you interested in using solar energy, but are discouraged by the high prices of solar panels? If so, click here to learn how to build you own solar panels for less than $200!