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.

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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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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What are composting toilets and how do they work?

Composting toilets are an important alternative to flush toilet systems.  Unlike the sewage or septic-based flush toilet system, composting toilets rely on little or no water in dealing with human waste.  Instead, composting toilets turn human waste into a valuable soil additive that can be used as a soil amendment.  Users will generally add organic brown matter to the toilet (such as sawdust or peat moss) instead of water.  Basic toilet composting systems rely on either a series of containers or a large centralized composting chamber.  For a full description, read What are Composting Toilets?

How are composting toilets good for the environment?

Toilet composting systems benefit the environment in multiple ways.  They can play a major role in preserving one of the world’s most important and rapidly diminishing resources: water.  They also produce a valuable end-product (compost) that can improve the environment and less reliance on chemical fertilizing products.   Composting toilets can also lessen the threat of groundwater contamination (from septic systems), environmental pollution (from broken sewage pipes), and help recycle all sorts of organic household waste.  For more information, read “What are the Environmental Benefits of Composting Toilets?”

How safe are composting toilets?

The short answer is completely safe, when used properly.  When not installed and used according to specifications, however, they may pose health risks – just as septic and sewage systems also pose considerable health risks when used or maintained improperly.  For a full discussion, read the entire article “Are Composting Toilets Safe?”

Where can I put in a composting toilet system?

Some people confuse composting toilets with outhouses or pit latrines, assuming they must be installed outdoors.  This simply is not true.  Most current toilet composting systems are built for indoor use (the exception being certain portable composting toilet models).  Most are meant for household use, but there are many other locations that composting toilets can be installed.  Increasingly government facilities, national parks and colleges are installing them both because of their benefit for the environment and society, but also to serve as demonstration projects for the public.  For more ideas about where toilet composting systems can be used, check out the article “Where Can Composting Toilets Be Used?”

What do toilet composting systems cost?

If you are actively searching for a toilet composting system, this is probably a major question you have when comparing it to other waste disposal systems.  Although composting toilets may initially seem much more expensive than a flush toilet system, there are many hidden costs in the latter, and some research will show that composting toilets are usually the best choice financially.  Not only do they costs considerably less than installing a septic system or paying sewage fees over time, but you will also save on water and be producing a valuable end product as well.  For complete information, read “How Much do Composting Toilets Cost?”

What can I put in a composting toilet?

Besides the obvious (human waste and toilet paper), you will find that your composting toilet is a wonderful way to recycle a wide variety of organic waste that your household produces.  Everything from kitchen scraps, shredded paper, coffee grounds and even yard waste can be put into your toilet composting system.  For a full discussion and many more examples of what can go into your composting toilet, read “What Can You Put In a Composting Toilet?”

How do I dispose of the end-product of the toilet composting process?

The end product of toilet composting is humus, or compost, and it is a valuable soil additive.   Some refer to this end-product also as “humanure” and you can use it to fertilize trees, bushes, flowers and more.  For a full discussion, read “What is Humanure and What Can I do With It?”

For more articles and information, you can return to the Toilet Composting homepage and search through the archives of dozens of useful articles about different aspects of building, purchasing, maintaining and using composting toilets.

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]]> http://toilet-composting.com/toilet-composting-basics/feed/ 0 http://toilet-composting.com/incinerating-desiccating-and-composting-toilet-comparisons/ http://toilet-composting.com/incinerating-desiccating-and-composting-toilet-comparisons/#comments Thu, 25 Jun 2009 05:17:18 +0000 M Day http://toilet-composting.com/?p=123 Continue reading]]> Every year, flush toilet systems waste enormous amount of water resources, cause environmental harm and incur massive social expenditures (for more information, read “What is Wrong with a Flush Toilet?“).  There are many important reasons to switch from a flush toilet system to an alternative toilet system, and in this article I will compare three popular alternative to flush toilets: Incinerating Toilets, Desiccating Toilets and Composting Toilets.

1) Incinerating Toilets. Incinerating toilets rely on electricity or gas to burn waste.  Burn cycles typically take between five and thirty minutes, after which all human waste is turned into ash.  These models do require quite a bit of electricity to run, and some consumers complain that they are quite noisy during the burn cycles.  EcoJohn is currently one of the most popular manufacturers of incinerating toilets.

2) Desiccating Toilets.  Desiccating toilets (also known as dehydrating toilets, solar toilets or drying toilets), are best suited to arid climates where dry ambient air can be circulated into the toilet chamber so that any moisture is eliminated.  When this works properly, the end-result will be both dry and odorless.  Solarsan is a popular manufacturer of dehydrating toilets.

Desiccating toilets must be designed as to divert urine from the chamber in which the feces will be drying in order for them to work properly (the urine can be used for fertilizing applications if so desired).  The drying process usually take several months to complete, after which they can burned, composted or buried.

3) Composting Toilets. Composting toilets systems operate by encouraging aerobic decomposition.  Most composting toilets can reduce organic waste to between 10 and 30 percent of original volume.  The end-product of the composting process is a rich, soil-like material called humus, which can be used as a valuable soil additive.   There are currently many competing manufacturers of composting toilets globally: Sun-Mar, Envirolet, and BioLet are some brand names you may come across when researching different models.  (You can read reviews of some of these models here).

Each of these systems has its advantages and disadvantages.  Desiccating toilets are possibly the best choice in dry areas, incinerating toilets work well for families that want quick disposal of waste without water, and composting toilets can help recycle not only human waste but also other organic waste produced by the household (such as vegetable scraps).

However, there is one prime benefit to composting toilets that neither the incinerating or desiccating toilet system provides: the valuable end-product of humus, a valuable soil additive.  In this way composting toilets not only help eliminate the use of water from toilet systems, but also produce a valuable resource in the process.

If you are interested in reading more about the advantages and disadvantages of composting toilets, please visit the Toilet Composting Home Page where you will find numerous articles about composting toilet systems, including portable composting models suitable for camping and other outdoor applications.

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Now, I am guessing that many readers of this blog are well aware that most (if not all) currently manufactured composting toilets are meant for indoor applications (with the exception of certain portable composting toilet setups).  However, it did bring up an important question for me that I thought would be useful to address in this article:  Where else can composting toilets be used?

I thought I would develop a list of some of the potential uses of composting toilets outside the standard home.  Given the benefits of composting toilets for society in general, thinking “outside the home” seems like an important contribution to the effort to promote the switch from wasteful flush toilet systems to productive and environmentally sane toilet composting systems.

Here are some locations that composting toilets could also be installed:

1) National and state park campgrounds. Oh wait, there are composting toilets already at some of these locations (see an example here).  We just need a lot more of them!  Composting toilets are much more pleasant than the standard outhouse that are found at many national and state parks, and they make an excellent demonstration of sustainable technology as well.

2) Boats and Marinas. Many boaters already know this, but there are some excellent marine toilet composting systems available.  For more information about these composting toilets, read the article “Outdoor Portable Composting Systems.”

3) Buses, trains and other forms of public transportation. Composting toilets would be much less smelly and much more environmentally friendly alternative to the flush toilets currently found on many public transport systems.   Of course, it would involve considerable time and effort to educate the “public” about their proper use and advantages, but I can think of no better way to create a massive public awareness about toilet composting systems.

4) Remote yurts, cottages and cabins. Non-electric models of composting toilets are ideal for locations that are off-grid and have little access to sewage or septic systems.

5) Recreational Vehicles.  Now, let’s face it, RV’s are not generally known for being environmentally friendly.  But if you are going to drive an RV, why not at least make them as environmentally friendly as you can and switch from the chemically laden portable potty to a greener toilet composting system instead?  Most of the marine composting models are well suited for RV’s as well.

6) Treehouses. This one is just for fun.  Or maybe not.  If you do have a treehouse and it has a toilet, it should certainly be a composting toilet!

Now that I’ve gotten started, tons of more ideas are starting to come to mind.  How about composting toilets on oil rigs and platforms?  In factories and warehouses?  In guard towers or sky cranes?  Well, as you see, once you get started thinking green, it can be hard to stop.

If you are interested in reading more articles about the advantages of switching to toilet composting systems and composting toilet reviews, please return to the Toilet Composting Home Page.

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]]> http://toilet-composting.com/where-can-composting-toilets-be-used/feed/ 0 http://toilet-composting.com/portable-composting-toilet-campin/ http://toilet-composting.com/portable-composting-toilet-campin/#comments Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:58:41 +0000 M Day http://toilet-composting.com/?p=105 Continue reading]]>

A portable composting toilet is ideal for camping excursions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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