Composting toilets?

Letty
by Letty
I've seen a couple of those shows where they are building "tiny houses". My immediate thought is, "an RV is much easier and comfortable" for me. But, I like the section where they show multipurpose stuff that reduces space. One thing that did get me interested was the compost toilet. What? So, you go, you flush, you spin a tumbler and you're done. I understand you don't need to be hooked up to a septic for that. And I think I heard the guy tell someone you can use it in your garden. Ew. Specially since that lady had an herb and edible garden. Does anyone have or know about this compost toilets that can explain them to me with details of how comfortable they are. How easy to maintain. Pros and cons. Can you really use that compost for an edible garden? How about the smell? I like the idea but don't know the practicality of it. Thanks.
  5 answers
  • Shira Shira on Jan 06, 2015
    @New Prairie Construction do you have advice for @Letty?
  • New Prairie Construction New Prairie Construction on Jan 07, 2015
    Hi, @ and @Letty -- About composting toilets... 1. If properly maintained, CT’s are not smelly. NOTE: Different CT’s have different methods of maintenance. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s directions. 2. Most CT’s act as “holders” of waste materials, rather than actual composters. There are exceptions to this. For example, the Cluver system can compost waste products, using the aerobic approach. Most CT units require that the waste product be removed from the unit and placed somewhere else, (dumpster, compost heap, etc.). In a traveling RV situation, one most likely needs to bag the waste products and find a dumpster. If in the wilderness, one can dig a hole and cover up the waste products. 3. Here is a big question: Is compost made from human waste products safe? The long answer: Read Joe Jenkins, “The Humanure Handbook”. The short answer: Yes, in most situations. Proper composting of ANY waste product requires that it experience “thermophilic” composting and that it be given enough time to break down completely and return to soil. If the waste products are properly composted, they into soil and are free from disease producing pathogens. (Think of all our ancestors using the earth as their CT-- if those pathogens didn't break down over time, we probably wouldn't be here! Of course, large amounts can overwhelm any system.) 4. We think CTs are just as comfortable as any regular toilet. In general, I think folks need to relax a little about this sort of thing. There are cultures that do not properly compost their waste materials and problems result. If one does the job right, using a CT system makes an enormous amount of sense. One saves lots of water while at the same time avoiding fouling it with human waste and one creates rich, productive soil. Win/Win! Julie Birdwell, New Prairie Construction
  • Letty Letty on Jan 07, 2015
    Thank you very much to both of you. I'm going to have to check out the humanure handbook. And thank you for telling me about the cluver system. I need to look them up too. Your explanation is very helpful, New Prairie Construction.
  • Kai Michel Kai Michel on Aug 10, 2020

    Well, I can help you in this way! As you know composting toilets are an easy and safe way to dispose of human wastes (liquid and solid). And of course, they generate manure in an eco-friendly way for your edible gardens to enrich it with nitrogen, carbon, potassium, and calcium! No doubt, using a composting toilet is beneficial in many ways!

    You’re asking about the smell. Right? You may wonder knowing that one of the most essential functions of composting toilets is they compost all the solid wastes without any bad odor!

    If you know the working mechanism of a composting toilet, you’ll come to know that these toilets are really easy to install without requiring any septic tank. Composting toilets provides efficiency in energy and water usage.

    Now comes the maintenance. Composting toilets require zero or little maintenance so inspecting them once every month is enough.

    In final words, Composting toilets are multi-beneficial. As you like the idea, plan for installing one. Be sure your investment will be worth it.

    • Letty Letty on Aug 10, 2020

      Thank you for your explanation. Very helpful in my decision making.

  • Mogie Mogie on Aug 10, 2020

    7 Best Composting Toilets Of 2020 – Waterless Compost Toilet Reviews

    https://www.sunrisespecialty.com/best-compost-toilet