Composting Toilet 101: Toilet Basics and Tips
For those who live off the grid, are planning to move into a tiny house or already live in one; this article is a must read for you. This is so because you need compositing toilets more than anyone! I bet you must have heard of composting toilets and you are here to know how they work. Well, you have come to the right place.
However, if you have not heard about them before, I will tell you what they are in this article. Read on to know about this Eco-friendly composting toilet system and how it works. Thank me when you are done!
What are Composting Toilets?
Composting Toilets are not new. These toilets employ the natural way of decomposing human wastes, rather than using septic systems and other expensive, ultra-modern ways.
It is a less expensive and Eco-friendly human waste disposal method. Interestingly, your wastes don’t drop to waste in the drain.’ It is a very important factor need to take your composting waste by recycling and use it as a natural fertilizer.
A composting toilet will recycle your wastes by evaporating them into the atmosphere through the drain-waste-vent system. Whatever solid remnants are left will naturally convert and become fertilizer for the soil.
Note That This Happens Through Natural Decomposition
Where are compositing toilets used? Composting toilets can be found in cabins on a ship or boat, RV, in tiny houses, or houses off the grid, etc.
How does a compost toilet work?
To learn how composting toilets work, it is essential to discuss the three major functions or roles the toilet system play – of course, apart from relieving you of your waste. Here are the main facts of the composting toilet recycling system:
Liquid evaporation Odourless composting of the solid waste Production of safe-to-handle compost material
- Liquid Evaporation
This is where the moisture or water part of the human waste evaporates. For your information, (if you do not know already) the human waste consists 90 percent of water. So, the water part of your waste evaporates either through the toilet’s vent system or through environmental elements like the wind and the sun.
The vent system, on the other hand, evaporates the water through the air. I must not forget to mention that this type of toilet normally does not allow liquid and solid wastes to mix in the compositing chamber; it is designed so.
Comparatively, the modern waste systems use a little heating element which makes evaporation process happen very fast. A well built composite toilet still leaves the waste a little moist to fasten its break-down process. The tiny toilet needs moisture, oxygen, aerobic bacteria, and heat to perform perfectly.
- Odorless Compositing of the Solid Waste
This is when the solid waste breaks down and turns into dry compost material. Although, this process can happen on its own, but it will come with a smelly price; your house will smell like a poop producing factory and the process will be delayed.
Therefore, the compost system will, at this stage, require external elements or materials like sawdust, peat mix, wood, paper, ash, and others. Coffee grounds are also another creative additive for your waste. It is a brilliant way to deal with the odour.
These elements aid the breaking down the process of the waste by hastening it up. They also make sure that you are left with safe products for use and handling.
- Production of Safe to Handle Compost Material
At the end of it all, you have to empty your unit once it is full. You might find this disgusting, but if your compositing toilet functions as it should, it will leave you with safe to use and safe to handle material that is rid of bad smell. It should not appear as a human waste at this point but like garden compost.
Furthermore, ensure you purchase a composting toilet with a size that suits your need. That way, the need for frequent waste disposal will be minimal. In some cases, you may only require to empty your lavatory once or twice yearly. Consequently, the system gets enough time to do its job excellently.
However, the number of people using the toilet will influence how often you empty it.
What to Do with Your Compost?
Check with your local chamber to know if limitations or rules are guiding the use of composite toilets. If there is an established compost pile, you can dispose of the waste there.
Alternatively, your compost could be useful for fertilizing your plants, fruit trees, or you can spread them across your lawn to get a beautiful green and full lawn. Nevertheless, do not use your compost on edible plants such as vegetables, herbs, edible flowers and so on.
Composting toilets have been, and will continue to be, a life saver for a lot of trees or croplands. It is an easy to install toilet system that costs you very less when compared to the sophisticated lavatories we have all around.
Being Eco-friendly, you get to save a lot of water and energy. There’s more! You also get to feed your plants and lawn with rich food without spending a dime.
All these sound great, right? That is why I put this article together for you, and I certainly do hope you found what you were looking for and even more!