ABC of Composting Toilets

Interested in composting toilets but don’t know where to start? This article is for you! Here, we’ll cover the basics of composting toilets, giving you a solid understanding of how they work. While it’s a complex topic, we’ll keep it simple. After all, composting toilets aren’t rocket science!

A – Rotting vs. Composting

Did you know that nearly 90% of all toilet waste is liquid? If you’re using traditional flushing methods, that liquid percentage goes even higher. But here’s the catch: water is the enemy of composting. Too much moisture can cause the compost mass to rot, leading to serious odor issues.

That’s why all composting toilets are designed to remove or separate excess liquid from the compost mass. There are various techniques for this, but it’s the most crucial feature of the toilet. It needs to work effectively under all conditions. It’s worth noting that overly dry compost isn’t ideal either. However, dealing with dry compost is usually less troublesome than dealing with overly wet compost.

B – Three Ways to Compost

There are three primary methods for composting toilet waste.

Small Capacity Waterless Toilets

Firstly, small waterless toilets, though not true composting toilets, allow excess liquid to flow out, but their containers aren’t large enough for full composting. For real composting, you’ll need a separate, larger composter in the yard to treat the waste to mulch.

Continuous Composting Toilets

Continuous composting involves bigger containers where new waste is added to the top while ready compost is removed from the bottom or the rear. The composting process typically takes 6-18 months, depending on use and climate.

Batch Composting Toilets

Batch composting, often the most preferred method, uses two or more interchangeable containers that regularly switch position between being in use and outside composting further. This setup is convenient and scalable, as you can add more containers if needed without handling raw waste at any point.

C – Ventilation: The Key to Odor Control

Proper ventilation is crucial for composting toilets, yet its importance is too often overlooked. Regardless of the composting method used, a composting toilet should have a ventilation system, possibly with an electrical, solar, or wind-driven fan to ensure adequate airflow.

Ventilation serves two purposes: it maintains airflow from the composting container to the outdoors and helps to dehydrate excess liquid, keeping odors at bay. Good ventilation ensures a pleasant and odor-free experience even if the composting toilet has been serviced poorly.

These are the basic principles of composting toilets. As you delve deeper into the topic, you’ll discover a myriad of techniques and models on the market. Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Factors like the number of users, available space and service requirements will influence your choice.