A urine-diverting toilet (UDT) is a waterless toilet that separates urine from solid waste using a specifically designed toilet seat. The design takes advantage of human anatomy, allowing urine to flow into a separate channel while solid waste naturally drops through the back of the toilet. By keeping urine and solids separate, UDTs significantly reduce odors.

Urine-diverting toilets (UDTs) are less prone to odors, especially in off-grid settings without electricity to power a ventilation fan. By keeping urine separate, UDTs help maintain lower moisture levels in the solid waste, which naturally reduces odors. Additionally, UDTs generally require less dry bulking material, which means the solids container fills up more slowly. As a result, the toilet needs to be serviced less frequently, at least in terms of solid waste management.

No. Urine-diverting toilets do not smell at all.

Toilet paper can be tossed into the same composting container where the solid waste goes. Most composting systems are designed to handle toilet paper without any issues.

Frequency depends on usage. A small container typically requires emptying every few days unless connected to a grey water system. As a reference, an average person urinates between 800 and 2,000 milliliters daily.

The options for handling separated urine depend largely on local regulations and the surrounding environment where the toilet is being used. If permitted, urine can be used as a natural fertilizer for non-edible plants, such as bushes, trees, and ornamental plants. Alternatively, and again if allowed, urine can be directed straight into a grey water system for further treatment.

Under no circumstances should pure urine be discharged directly into water bodies such as lakes, rivers, ponds, seas, or onto ground with a high water table. This is because urine is rich in nutrients, and improper disposal can lead to eutrophication. Always follow local guidelines to ensure proper management.

While UDTs are great for private / family use, younger children may need guidance to adapt to the design. UDTs must be used seated.

While technically yes, we generally recommend a composting toilet that separates liquid waste within the composting container instead. This is because people in public or commercial environments are often unfamiliar with UDTs and may unintentionally or intentionally misuse them. For example, male users might not realize that they must sit down to use a urine-diverting toilet correctly, leading to improper use and potential odor-issues.

• If urine gets into the solid container, it typically won’t cause any problems unless there is a significant amount, such as from multiple users. In that case, adding dry organic material can help balance the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio in the solids container.
• If solid waste ends up in the urine bowl, the bowl should be cleaned with water, toilet paper, and a mild detergent to ensure hygiene and prevent odor.