Truth About Composting Toilets: Not All Waterless Options Complete the Cycle

Composting toilets are often praised for their eco-friendliness, but not all of these truly qualify as composting toilets. While the term ‘composting toilet’ is commonly used by consumers and manufacturers alike, this term is frequently misapplied, leading to confusion about what these products actually do. True composting toilets handle the entire waste breakdown process internally, transforming it into safe reusable compost on-site. In contrast, many products marketed as “composting toilets” are actually small sized urine-diverting waterless toilets, which simply separate and collect liquids and solid waste to be composted or disposed of elsewhere. This distinction is important for consumers looking to make informed decisions about which waterless toilet is the right for their needs and amount of use.

The Background Behind the Misuse of ‘Composting Toilet’

The confusion surrounding the term “composting toilet” has deep historical roots and a mix of unintentional and deliberate misuse by various parties. Composting has long been a method to manage toilet waste way before any commercial composting toilet options. The term “compost toilet” originally has emerged from these homemade waterless toilets. As the first commercial entities entered the market, they adopted this term to connect with the familiar vocabulary of consumers.

This historical backdrop plays a significant role in the current situation. Understandably, most consumers lack expertise of the various types of waterless toilets. Their knowledge is often limited to what is most commonly advertised, while for advertisers it is most profitable to target the terms that have the widest recognition. As a result, the term “composting toilet” has become a catch-all phrase used by many to describe any toilet that doesn’t use water, regardless of whether it actually composts waste on-site. This approach, while being the most effective for sales, re-enforces the cycle of misinformation and hinders consumer understanding of what true composting toilets are and how they differ from other waterless systems.

It is common to see small-size waterless toilet manufacturer and retailers call their toilets “composting toilets” even though a more appropriate term would be waterless toilet, dry toilet or urine-diverting toilet

Clarifying Terminology and Recognizing Diversity in Waterless Toilets

The most accurate umbrella term for all types of non-water-based toilets is “waterless toilet” or “dry toilet”. These terms encompass a broad range of designs, from simple urine-diverting toilets to sophisticated composting systems that manage waste on-site. It’s crucial to understand that there is inherently nothing wrong with the smaller-sized, urine-diverting models. The primary issue lies in how these products are marketed, often misleadingly labeled as composting toilets, which can misinform consumers about their functionality.

When it comes to waterless toilets, the variety of available models is essential. Each type serves a specific purpose and fits different user needs, from remote locations without plumbing to urban homes looking to reduce their environmental impact. Recognizing this diversity is key to ensuring that consumers can make informed choices. By shifting the focus from misleading marketing practices to honest, clear communication about each toilet’s capabilities, manufacturers and retailers can help consumers select the most suitable waterless toilet for their situation. This chapter advocates for a shift towards more transparent marketing, empowering consumers with the knowledge they need to choose the right solution for their needs.