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:

Camping Composting Toilets

ne of the main reasons to purchase a portable camping toilet is to take care of the environment you will camping in, and you can take this step even further by using composting or environmental camping toilets. These models will avoid using any chemicals in their processing of waste, and will instead rely on composting and similar processes to dispose of waste in an environmentally responsible manner.

For those who love spending time outdoors, taking time to care for the environment should be of the upmost importance. Portable composting toilets can help manage and dispose waste without using chemicals, thus protecting the environment.

One of the most popular models is the the PETT Environmental Toilet. This portable composting toilet can be used by individuals up to an amazing 500 pound weight limit. When folded, however, it is about the size of a small briefcase. It is light-weight, about seven pounds, and is a popular unit used by the Forest and Park Service as well as FEMA. The PETT toilet uses an environmentally safe powder to help gel liquids, remove odor and promote decay inside the unit’s biodegradable bags.

Another very good option is the BoiToi portable camping toilet. The Boi-Toi also uses 100% compostable and biodegradable bio-bags to dispose of waste. The model is used globally by NATO forces.

Each of the Bio Bags will decompose within 40 days when composted properly. This means it one of the most environmentally friendly portable camping toilet models available. It is also very lightweight (4.4 lbs) and affordable as well, costing under $50.

Click Here For More Environmental Portable Camping Toilet Options!

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 events, or 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 Self-Contained Composting Toilet is another excellent choice in terms of medium sized portable composting toilet (although also a bit pricey – it costs around $1800 U.S.).

Building a Composting Toilet on Site

Finally, if you are interested in an even cheaper option for a composting toilet outdoors, you can try building 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.

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):

1. Five Top Questions about Composting Toilets.  Fast answers to some of the most common questions people have about compost toilets.
2. What are Composting Toilets? A discussion of the basics of a composting toilet system and how it works.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Where Can Composting Toilets be Used? You may be surprised at all the locations suitable for composting toilets.
7. What is Wrong with a Flush Toilet? Read this article to find out.
8. Are Composting Toilets Safe? This article answers some of the concerns you may have about the safety of composting toilets and humanure.
   
9. What are the Environmental Benefits of Composting Toilets? An excellent discussion of why composting toilets are a good choice for the environment.
10. 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.

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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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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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.

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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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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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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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 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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One of the authors, David Del Porto, has sold and and serviced thousands of composting toilets since 1972.  He has also help write industry performance and regulation standards, and designed composting toilets and graywater systems for Greenpeace facilities and for different developing countries.  He is one of the leading experts in his field and really knows the topic well.

In The Composting System B0ok you will find descriptions of over forty different composting toilet systems, including both manufactured and site-built composting toilets.  They discuss everything from what are the best toilet stools to go with your self-contained composting toilet to how to best install a micro-flush composting toilet in your home.  The book has extensive tips on how to choose, plan, and install your entire composting toilet system, including some information that the toilet manufacturers themselves will never tell you about how to maintain and install their composting toilets.  You will also find out how you can help reduce pollution and help protect yourself and your community against rising water and sewage costs in the future by choosing a composting toilet for your home.

The book also explains the manner in which new composting technology has improved so that composting toilets are now compatible with the most upscale bathrooms, while also providing extensive technical information about these systems (although it is about eight years old at this point and even more developments have been made in recent years).  In addition, The Composting Toilet System Book provides important information about United States permitting requirements for different states, as well as how these composting toilet systems can be best integrated with graywater systems.  If you are about to embark on the process of trying to get a permit for your composting toilet, you should definitely take a look at the information provided in this book.

You should be aware that the Composting Toilet System Book is not cheap, running around fifty dollars a copy.  But it is easily the best printed resource available for people installing and maintaining composting toilets in their homes, and is well worth the price.   The Composting Toilet System Book is available from many online retailers, and you can purchase it from Amazon.com here: The Composting Systems Book.

For more information about composting toilet systems, including additional reviews of composting toilet books, please return to Toilet Composting.

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.

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]]> http://toilet-composting.com/homemade-and-manufactured-compost-toilets-compared/feed/ 0 http://toilet-composting.com/micro-flush-and-vacuum-flush-composting-toilets/ http://toilet-composting.com/micro-flush-and-vacuum-flush-composting-toilets/#comments Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:17:23 +0000 M Day http://toilet-composting.com/?p=152 Continue reading]]> Most composting toilets developed to date have been “dry” in design, meaning they use no water to flush waste, thus helping preserve this valuable and rapidly diminishing global resource.  Every year composting toilets prevent millions of gallons of water from being unnecessarily flushed away.  But for some consumers, it has been difficult to adjust to the change in technology involved with dry composting technology, and they have been reluctant to adopted composting toilets because of the lack of a flushing mechanism even though they may be supportive of the technology for environmental and social reasons.

In order to help encourage the use of composting toilets by these consumers, there have been several “micro-flush” and “vacuum flush” composting toilets designed by manufacturers during the past decade. These models closely resemble a conventional  flush toilet.  In fact, some users may not even be aware that they are using a composting toilet at all!

Although micro-flush composting toilets are not waterless, the amount of water they use is still much less than with even low flush conventional toilets.  Micro-flush composting toilets are still able to save thousands of gallons of water each year from being flushed away.

Micro-flush toilet composting models generally use less than half a liter to flush waste into a centralized reactor (composting chamber) located beneath the composting toilet.  Some micro-flush composting toilets also rely on vacuum flush technology to ensure the waste travels quickly and completely to the composting chamber, and also helps eliminate some of the problems with finding a suitable location for the composting chamber.  The vacuum flush system also helps ensures that these models are completely odor free as well (although odor is not usually a problem with any electric composting toilet model that is properly maintained).

An example of this technology can be found with the Envirolet VF composting toilet which can flush waste up to seventy feet away and upwards up to twelve feet using vacuum flush technology.  These models are not as cheap as regular composting toilet models (the Envirolet VF model starts around $3200), but for those interested in a composting toilet that closely resembles a regular flush toilet it is an excellent choice.

Because composting toilets rely an aerobic decomposition, excess water will need to be drained from most micro flush composting toilet models.  This is because with excess water in the system, proper composting will not occur and the system may revert to anaerobic decomposition instead (for an explanation of these terms, read “How Toilet Composting Works“).

Some may argue that instead of creating new composting models that resemble conventional flush toilets, consumers should simply adjust to the most appropriate and environmentally friendly technology.  This may be the ideal, but micro flush composting toilets can encourage many consumers to take the step towards switching to a composting toilet system when they may not otherwise do so.  Given the environmental benefits of micro flush composting toilets when compared to conventional flush toilets, this is definitely a step in the right direction.

For more information and useful articles about composting toilets, including reviews of other types of composting toilet systems and models, please return to the Toilet Composting homepage.

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]]> http://toilet-composting.com/micro-flush-and-vacuum-flush-composting-toilets/feed/ 0 http://toilet-composting.com/clivus-multrum-and-phoenix-composting-toilets/ http://toilet-composting.com/clivus-multrum-and-phoenix-composting-toilets/#comments Mon, 29 Jun 2009 05:42:16 +0000 M Day http://toilet-composting.com/?p=147 Continue reading]]> These week I am going to review two different composting toilet manufacturers with designs almost as unique as their names: Clivus Multrum and Phoenix.

Clivus Multrum Composting Toilet System.

“Clivus Multrum” refers to both a certain type of toilet composting system and the manufacturer of that system.  Clivus mean “incline” in Latin, while “Multrum” is a Swedish word meaning compost room, so Clivus Multrum literally means “inclining compost room.”

The first Clivus Multrum composting toilet system was built in 1939 in Sweden by Rikard Lindström, and this prototype was eventually patented in the 1960s.  The Clivus Multrum composting toilet system involves a large remote tank connected by a slope to a toilet.  The system requires a large accesible lower space beneath the toilet.

In the 1970s Abby Rockefeller founded Clivus Multrum Inc. in the United States under a license from Lindström.  With the current models using this system, a ventilation system will continously pull air down creating a completely odorless composting toilet system.   Their also now is an automatic moistening system that will help keep the compost at the right moisture level for composting, and an automatic process to remove excess liquid from the composter as well.

Currently Clivus Multrum is marketing their composting systems towards more industrial and governmental purposes than towards home consumers.   They have a special “Trailhead” design aimed for use by national and state park services and portable models for use at golf courses and remote recreation areas.  For more information, you can visit the Clivus Multrum website.

Phoenix Composting Toilet System

The Phoenix composting toilet system is manufactured by Advanced Composting Systems, LLC, based in Whitefish, Montana.  The company has been manufacturing composting toilets for over 27 years, and also creates prefabricated buildings.

The Phoenix composting toilet system was developed in the 1980s by Glenn Nelson, who prior to founding this company was a licensed manufacturer of Clivus Multrum toilets.  Nelson used his experience with the Clivus Multrum composting system to build the Phoenix models, although they are unique in design.

Nelson sought to improve a few problems he saw with the Clivus Multrum system in the Phoenix design.  One such issue was the slope of the composting tank found in the Clivus Multrum system, which caused concern about “fresher” composting materials possibly mixing with older materials awaiting harvest.  Another issue Nelson pointed to with the Clivus Multrum original designs was how liquid pooled at the bottom of the sloped tank, turning the process from aerobic decomposition into anerobic decomposition (for a discussion of the differences between these two forms, see “How Toilet Composting Works“).

Nelson created a toilet composting system which addressed both of these problems  (Clivus Multrum representatives argue they have now also addressed both these problems with their own redesigns of their system).  The Phoenix composting toilet is manufactured out of rotationally molded polyethylene, and unfortunately does not rely much on recycled plastic in its design.  There are residential models available, although they are quite expensive when compared to other composting toilets on the market (the cheapest and smallest residential model starts around $3500).  For more information visit the Phoenix Composting Toilet website.

For additional reviews of composting toilets, including the Sun-Mar, BioLet, Envirolet and EcoTech models, visit the Toilet Composting information website.

1) Composting toilets help conserve valuable water resources. Flush toilet systems waste enormous amounts of clean drinking water each year.  It is estimated that every day, Americans flush over 4.8 billion gallons of water down their toilets.

In order to keep the water flowing to these flush toilets, dams must be built, water piped hundreds of miles and then chemically treated, and then after all this expense and effort, 40% of the water will simply be flushed away.  The situation in developing nations, where clean water supplies are often quite limited, is even more dire.  For more information, read “What is Wrong with Flush Toilets.”

2)  Composting toilets are safer for the environment. If you have any question about the damage sewage systems do to our environment, just type the words “sewage spills” into Google and read some of the results. Septic systems are not much better, as contamination of ground water due to seepage from septic tank is a growing problem in many regions.

Composting toilets have little risk of causing any comparable type of environmental damage (in fact, the end product of the toilet composting process is actually good for the environment).  For more information, read “What are the Environmental Benefits of Composting Toilets?”

3) They are a good choice economically. When initially comparing a flush toilet to a compost toilet, the latter may seem much more expensive.  But you should be mindful of the many hidden costs associated with flush toilet systems.

For example, installing a composting toilet costs less than half of what it would cost to install a septic system on your property.  If you are connected to a sewage system, you will save on connection costs over the year.  With a composting toilet, you will also save enormously on annual water costs.  For more information, read “How Much do Composting Toilets Cost?”

4) They produce a valuable end product that is good for the environment. Whereas flush toilets produce a waste product that must be treated and disposed of, composting toilet produce a nutrient rich end-product that is a valuable soil additive.

Rather than posing an environment risk, the humus from composting toilets helps create an even greener environment around us.  For more information on how to use humus in your garden and yard, read “What is Humanure and What Can I Do With It?”

5) Most composting toilet models are easy to install and have less environmental impact than flush toilets. With a composting toilets you will not need heavy machinery to excavate a septic system or connections to a sewage system.  Self-contained models are especially easy to install, but even remote systems are quite easy to install with some professional help.  See “Types of Composting Systems” for more information.

For more information, including a discussion of some of the “Advantage and Disadvantages of Composting Toilets,” please visit the Toilet Composting Home Page where you will find dozens of useful articles on toilet composting systems.

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