Composting toilet

EsoxLucius wrote:
As with many things, it is not the ineffectiveness of the system. The problems usually stem from operator error and people not able to accept a concept foreign to them.

as someone mentioned before the urine and solid waste has to be separated for this type of toilet to work properly,also keeping everything warm for composting action to happen is a must,something not easily done in all enviroments..
maybe insulating it would help?

As with many things, it is not the ineffectiveness of the system. The problems usually stem from operator error and people not able to accept a concept foreign to them.

Even municipalites that once embraced this type of system are now complaining about its ineffectiveness at actually performing as advertised.

Since the O.P. is in British Columbia, he may be interested in the following CBC/ BC story on that subject.

The human waste humus from composting toilets cannot be used in garden areas where plants and vegetables are grown for human consumption. Hot turn composting can result in finished humus in 20 days. The Nature's Head composting toilet uses the hot turn method of composting. With two people, the Nature's Head will go about five weeks before it needs to be emptied. If one doesn't have flower beds in which to dump it, it can go into a 13 gallon plastic bag and thrown in the garbage. Use of a BioBag would be even better!

By the time you dump the composted contents it is more like dirt and not much like sewage.

Per federal dispersed camping rules one can dig a hole six (6) to twelve (12) inches deep at least 100 feet away from any water source to dispose of the urine. The composted humus could be put into a separate like hole. Before leaving, fill the holes with the dirt dug up to make them. Again, keeping the urine and humus separate virtually eliminates odor problems.

Steve S wrote:

Francesca Knowles wrote:
I always wonder what folks actually do with the "end product" of this kind of system. True composting- that is, total breakdown/pathogen kill/transformation to "dirt"- takes time more than anything else....does one store the "stuff" somewhere until that stage is reached and then just toss it in the garden, or what???

From what I understand it breaks down enough to use on your garden.
I've been reading lots on these systems and they seem like one would work great for me.

It will EVENTUALLY break down to that point...but I think you'd need an awful lot of storage in the meantime.

If you read between the lines in the links posted earlier, they're admitting to as much- here quoting

The Wynns wrote:
Depending on usage you empty the solids tank in a composting bin (for us it’s nearly 4 weeks) to be used for fertilizing ornamental plants (many campgrounds have compost piles if you ask). If a compost pile isn’t available you can simply put the solids into a composting bag and throw it into the trash (it will continue to compost and isn’t considered a bio hazard). Boaters may empty their solids overboard if they are the proper distance offshore.

The liquids can be diluted and sprinkled on the ground, poured down a sewer or for boaters emptied overboard (again at a legal distance from shore).

- See more at: http://www.gonewiththewynns.com/composting-toilet#sthash.FIqIGvoG.dpuf

What campground has a compost pile where they're going to let you dump sewage? Or let you "put the solids in a bag and put in dumpster"???"

And as a former Health Inspector I'd like to add that the "sprinkle the diluted liquid on the ground" disposal info in that quote is BOGUS! Such liquid is contaminated with fecal solids- it's not even as "clean" as plain old urine.

Francesca Knowles wrote:
I always wonder what folks actually do with the "end product" of this kind of system. True composting- that is, total breakdown/pathogen kill/transformation to "dirt"- takes time more than anything else....does one store the "stuff" somewhere until that stage is reached and then just toss it in the garden, or what???

From what I understand it breaks down enough to use on your garden.
I've been reading lots on these systems and they seem like one would work great for me.

Steve S wrote:
... I'm trying to avoid a septic system if possible.

That was my neighbors intent also. In the long run it cost him more money since he had to do the job twice. What he ended up was with a 1500 holding tank that needs to be pumped out when full. Really not that bad of an option given total costs.

Steve S wrote:
Yes but they're vented and have a fan.
There's one made in Sweden and they claim they've made one that has no smell and the company has been around for decades.
I'm trying to avoid a septic system if possible.

this one maybe
www.clivusmultrum.com

I always wonder what folks actually do with the "end product" of this kind of system. True composting- that is, total breakdown/pathogen kill/transformation to "dirt"- takes time more than anything else....does one store the "stuff" somewhere until that stage is reached and then just toss it in the garden, or what???

Yes but they're vented and have a fan.
There's one made in Sweden and they claim they've made one that has no smell and the company has been around for decades.
I'm trying to avoid a septic system if possible.