Composting Toilets

What are some popular product styles within Composting Toilets?

Some popular product styles within Composting Toilets are Modern, Cottage and Rustic.

What are the shipping options for Composting Toilets?

All Composting Toilets can be shipped to you at home.

Do you need plumbing for a composting toilet?

You won't need plumbing for a composting toilet. Waterless toilets don't need pipes for water because they don't flush. But they do need simple ductwork for optimal airflow. A properly vented self-contained composting toilet means more efficient decomposition and less odor. An exhaust fan also helps with this process.

Do composting toilets smell?

Composting toilets don't smell like outhouses do, and a properly kept one shouldn't have too much of an odor. Bacteria starts breaking down waste immediately, so any scent would be similar to mulch, wood, soil or a compost heap in your garden. Some compost toilets use sawdust or peat moss in the tank, so they'd smell like that.

Do you need electricity for a composting toilet?

You've got options with composting toilets. If possible, an electric fan and exhaust system help with the composting and venting of an indoor toilet. However, if you have no electricity available, go with a non-electric or passive composting toilet. These options are more common on a remote campsite or homestead out in the wilderness.

How to choose a composting toilet?

Narrow down your composting toilet choices by picking an electric or non-electric one. Most toilets need electricity for the exhaust fan or heater, but not all. To find tank size, consider how many people will use it and how often. Choose between a self-contained composting toilet that you'll need to empty yourself or a split system compost toilet (also called a central compost toilet) that holds the compost like a septic tank. Finally, decide on a toilet that separates liquids and solids vs one that doesn't.

How long does it take for a composting toilet to compost?

Composting begins immediately, as the aerobic bacteria are ready to break down the matter as soon as they receive it. In about three weeks, you'll have enough composted solids to use. For composting toilets that separate liquids and solids, composted liquids take three days, while the solids still take about three weeks.

Where can composting toilets be used?

Waterless toilets for a house are by no means standard, but they're an option for homeowners who'd like to save on their water bills. Compost toilets are often used where it's challenging to hook up plumbing. This includes tiny homes, mobile homes or boats. They work well in remote settings, with or without electricity, as a cleaner alternative to an outhouse. The most well-known use of these receptacles may be waterless toilets for tiny houses. A composting toilet for an RV or cabin is a more environmentally friendly option than a portable toilet.

How do you clean a composting toilet?

For cleaning as in emptying the compost, you can empty the tank yourself or have a septic company do it for you. For cleaning as in maintenance, use a cleaner compatible with composting toilets and a toilet brush. A waterless composting toilet is cleaned similarly to a traditional toilet but make sure not to use too much water to rinse. It could throw off the moisture balance in your compost.

Do composting toilets work in cold climate?

Composting toilets work best when the temperature is above 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and most homes are at least that warm. The bacteria need heat to do the decomposition work. However, the composting process itself generates heat. Between that, insulating the room or heating an outdoor bathroom during freezing temperatures, you may still get some compost results. Matter decomposes more slowly when the weather is chilly. Some toilets made for cold climates include a heating element, so look into those models if needed. Otherwise, the composting process will thaw when the weather does.

Can Composting Toilets be returned?

Yes, Composting Toilets can be returned within our 90-Day return period.

What is a composting toilet?

A composting toilet uses aerobic bacteria to break down human waste. The decomposition creates fertilizing compost, sometimes called humus. A waterless toilet isn't the same as an outhouse, as waste is actively decomposing instead of merely gathering. There's no water to flush.

How often do you have to clean a composting toilet?

How often you need to empty a composting toilet depends on the tank size and how many people are using it. In general, you may have to empty a composting toilet every three to six weeks. If the aerobic bacteria are doing their job and processing the waste, the toilet won't fill as quickly as an outhouse does because it's already starting to decompose. Material breaks down from 10 to 30 percent of its original volume, according to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).

What is the most common feature for Composting Toilets?

The most common feature for Composting Toilets is waterless.

Do composting toilets need water?

Composting toilets don't require water unless the composted matter is very dry. Sometimes, you may need a small amount of water to change the compost consistency. This is so it can be raked or turned. However, compost toilets aren't flushed with water like conventional toilets.

Where does the toilet paper go in a composting toilet?

Toilet paper goes into the composting toilet to decompose with everything else. If you have a split tank, the paper goes with the solids. Of course, thinner or recycled paper breaks down faster, but any septic-approved toilet paper works with a waterless toilet. You may want to try RV or marine toilet paper for the most efficient decomposition.

What are the pros and cons of a compost toilet?

Pros of a composting toilet are the positive environmental impacts: using far less water than a conventional toilet and creating usable compost for trees and plants. Cons of a waterless toilet include a large installation size as well as required maintenance. You must empty self-contained compost toilet tanks consistently. To keep the compost texture and moisture level appropriate, you may have to sometimes add water, peat moss or sawdust. You'll also need to rake and turn the compost regularly for best results.