Two of the most popular composting toilets currently being manufactured are the Sun-Mar composting toilet and the BioLet composting toilet.  Both these companies produce several different models of composting toilets and in this review I will discuss features of only a few of their models.  You may want to visit the manufacturers’ websites (Sun-Mar, BioLet) to see all the models and features available that they offer.

Sun-Mar Composting Toilets

Sun-Mar is one of the most well known composting toilet manufacturers in North America. Founded in 1971, the Sun-Mar corporation currently has 22 different composting toilets available, ranging from small portable composting toilets that can be used on boats and RV’s to larger centralized systems suitable for an entire family.  They offer both electric and non-electric models, and their centralized systems come in both dry and low flush formats. Their best-selling self-contained model is the “Excel” which they say can accommodate up to four individuals living in a household. Their larger centralized models, such as the “Centrex 3000 AF” are built to accommodate up to ten individuals (“seasonally” they say).  Their portable “Sun-Mar Mobile” composting toilet model is also very popular with boaters.  Self-contained models start at around $1500 (U.S.), while the centralized units can cost well over $2000, although installation and additional features will add to these costs, especially with the centralized units.

The Sun-Mar corporation has put a lot of effort into making many of their models nearly odor-free.  This is accomplished by engineering the models so that there is a partial vacuum in them at all times.  Sun-Mar composting toilets have also been certified by the National Sanitation Foundation International, which has strict guidelines on the amount of odorless fecal matter there is in the finished compost product.  If you are interested in watching a promotional YouTube video for the Sun-Mar composting toilet, click here.  Most published online reviews of the Sun-Mar composting toilet seem to be positive.

BioLet Composting Toilets

BioLet is a smaller company than Sun-Mar and was founded in 1991.  Their main focus is on self-contained composting toilets, and currently they are offering four different self-contained models for sale (BioLet 10, 20, 30 and 60).  They have both electric and non-electric models (the BioLet 30 is the non-electric models), suitable for between three to four people when in use full-time.  Models range in price from around $1400 (for the non-electric BioLet 30 version) to $2200 for their larger BioLet 60 model.  You may also be able to find a good deal by checking out the BioLet refurbished page to see if they have any discounted refurbished models for sale.

Some online reviewers have expressed dissatisfaction with the non-electric model.  Some complaints have focused on the odor, which is  common in many non-electric composting toilets since there is no fan mechanism to draw the odor away.  Some have also complained that the fan models are noisy and high maintenance, and that they may not be well-equipped to deal with large amounts of urine (you can read these reviews here.  The company provides many countering positive reviews here).  BioLet also has its own promotional video that you can view here.

I am leaving the comment box below open for individuals who have used either of these brands to leave their own feedback about the models.  Please note that any comments that appear to be blatant promotion for either of these comments will be deleted.  To read more articles and reviews about different composting toilet systems, please return to the Toilet Composting Home Page.

- a container (often called a “reactor”) where the composting process takes place

- some type of exhaust system (often fan-powered) that will help remove water vapor, carbon dioxide and any odors resulting from the composting process

- some manner in which oxygen is supplied to the composting container so that aerobic decomposition can take place

- a way in which excess liquid is drained from the composting materials
a means by which to turn the composting

- an access door to empty the finished composting

How these features are integrated vary according to manufacturers or design plans, but well constructed toilet composting systems should produce finished compost within six months to a year, and should be nearly odor-free during the composting process.

Composting toilet systems are often classified and evaluated according to the following four criteria:

1) Self-Contained Composting Toilets versus Remote (or “Centralized”) Composting Toilets

Self-contained composting toilets are units in which the toilet and the composting chamber form a single unit. Often these units will sit a bit higher than normal flush toilets, and will require a small step stool for users to easily sit on the unit.

Remote composting toilets (sometimes referred to as Centralized Composting Toilets) are systems where the toilet is connected to a composting chamber in another location, often below the toilet in a basement.

2) Batch Composting Toilet Systems versus Continual Process Composting Toilet Systems

Batch Composting Toilet Systems rely upon a single or series of composting containers in which the composting process will take place. Some composting toilet systems use a single composting container which is replaced by hand when full, while others use a carousel system where there are three to four different containers that rotate as they are filled. In the carousel system, by the time the carousel system is full, the first container will have been fully composted and ready to be used as a soil amendment.

Continual Process Composting Toilet Systems generally involve large composting chamber that are placed underneath the composting toilet, often in a basement (although there are some self contained models). Over the course of six months to a year, the composting human waste will gradually move downwards through the system and once it reaches the bottom of the chamber it is ready to be harvested and used. The process by which human waste is composted in continual processing systems varies, but most involve aerobic composition and micro-organisms and sometimes macro-organisms (usually earthworms) as well.

3) Manufactured Composting Toilets versus Site-Built (Owner-Built) Composting Toilets

For those interested in acquiring a composting toilet, there are generally two options: purchase a manufactured composting toilet (of which there are many brands) or build one on site yourself. Site built composting toilets may be considerably cheaper than many manufactured brands, but owners may find it challenging to get these units approved by local health agencies.

4) Active versus Passive Composting Systems

Active composting systems will rely on mixing, aeration and heat.  They often feature automatic mixers, thermostat controlled heaters, tumbling drums, fans and other features to promote quick and odor free waste composting.

Passive composting systems are optimized to rely on natural rather than mechanical forces. Gravity, ambient temperature and the shape of the composting chamber are all optimized to promote efficient composting.

To read more about composting toilets and composting toilet systems, please return to the main page.

Composting Toilet

Composting toilets are a form of toilets that use technologies other than large quantities of water to dispose of human waste.  Toilet composting manages human waste through composting and dehydration, and the compost that is the end product of the  process is a valuable soil additive.

Composting toilets are a valuable alternative to building large sewage treatment plants or underground septic systems, and the finished product they produce is actually beneficial to the environment instead of harmful or polluting.  Since composting toilets use little or no water, they also help preserve this quickly vanishing resource instead of, literally, flushing it away.  In fact, one of the best things you can do for the environment is either purchase a build a composting toilet for your home.

Increasingly public facilities at national parks and elsewhere are turning to composting toilets to help manage waste and serve as a demonstration of a beneficial green technology.  Composting toilets are very different from outhouses or pit latrines.  Most composting toilets have very little (if any) smell associated with them, and many closely resemble a flush toilet in terms of design (although they operate very differently).

Toilet composting generally involves one of two different composting toilet systems: Batch Systems and Continual Process Systems.

Batch Composting Toilet Systems rely on a series of containers in which the toilet composting process will take place once it is filled and sealed.  Some toilets will rely on a single container which is manually replaced, while other systems may have a carousel-type system where there or four containers are placed on a rotation device and a new, empty container will be spun under the composting toilet once another one if full.  By the time all the containers are full, the first container on the carousel will have been fully composted and ready to be emptied.

Continual Process Composting Toilet Systems are systems that are continually composting toilet waste instead of using containers.  Most of these systems have large underground composting chambers in which human waste will slowly move downwards.  After six months to a year, the compost at the bottom of the chamber will be ready to be harvested and used as a soil amendment.  The manner in which human waste is composted in these systems varies, but many rely on managed aerobic decomposition using microorganisms, and in some cases, macro-organisms such as earthworms.

With both composting toilet systems, you will generally add a small amount of absorbent “brown” matter to help with the toilet composting process (sawdust and peat moss are some examples).  Just as with creating compost in the garden, the key to healthy and odorless toilet composting is a good mix of both green and brown organic matter.

Although toilet composting may seem strange at first to those accustomed to flush toilet systems, once you have adjusted to the technology you will find that they are no more difficult to use or unpleasant to have in your home than a flush toilet.  For even more information about composting toilets please visit the Toilet Composting Home Page to read more articles and reviews of popular composting toilets.

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