Top Five Questions about Composting Toilets
If you are just learning about composting toilets, you are likely to have a lot of questions regarding what they are, how they operate and more. Here are some of the top questions people commonly ask about composting toilets:
Q) What are Composting Toilets?
A) Like a compost pile or a compost bin, composting toilets use rapid aerobic decomposition to turn organic waste matter into a rich, compost that can be used as a soil amendment. Most compost toilets use little or no water. Instead, you “flush” using a dry medium like sawdust or peat moss, which helps keep the composting waste in balance.
There are two different types of composting toilet systems that are most-commonly used in houses: all-in-one “self-contained” composting toilets, which are convenient for small spaces, and “remote” composting toilet systems, in which a large composting reactor is located away from the toilet (often in the basement of a house). For more information, read the article “Types of Composting Toilet Systems.”
Q: Do composting toilets smell?
A: If they are well-maintained, they should not smell at all. Some models even have less arguably less odors than conventional toilets (vacuum-flush composting toilets). If there is an odor, that means there is something very wrong with how the system is being maintained. Modern day manufactured composting toilets bear absolutely no resemblance to outdoor outhouses.
Q: Why would anyone want to purchase one?
A: There are many reasons people are interested in buying composting toilets. For some, it may be because they are located in an area where septic and sewage systems are difficult or costly to build and maintain. For many others, they choose composting toilets for environmental reasons (for more information, read “What are the Environmental Benefits of Composting Toilets “).
Q: Are Composting Toilets Expensive?
A: When you initially compare them in price to a regular flush toilet, composting toilets may seem a little costly. But when you compare what the costs are over time, you will find that composting toilets are actually the better choice financially. With a composting toilet you will save on water, sewage or septic fees, and also produce a valuable soil additive. For more details, check out the article “How Much do Composting Toilets Cost?”
Q: What is the end product of the toilet composting process like, and what do I do with it?
A: After the composting process is finished, you will have a dry, fluffy odorless material that looks a little bit like soil. It is safe to touch, and is a great fertilizing source for plants, shrubs and trees. For more information about how to use the compost from composting toilets, read “What is Humanure and What Can I do with It?“ If you are concerned about the safety of composting toilets, you may also want to read “Are Composting Toilets Safe?”
Although these are some of the most common questions asked, if you have more questions answered, or want to read more articles and reviews of popular composting toilets models (including a Buyers Guide to Composting Toilets), please return to the Toilet Composting Homepage.
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