20 Frequently Asked Questions About Composting Toilet That You May Be Afraid To Ask
20 frequently asked questions about composting toilet that you may be afraid to Ask
As a tiny house dweller, you can have multiple toilet options to explore. Originally, Tiffany the Tiny Home came with a compost toilet, and then I changed it to run a normal flush toilet while at the campground. Since then I have decided to convert it back to a compost toilet by Nature Head for a couple of reasons. One, I am in a long term strategy to make Tiffany the Tiny Home as much off-grid as possible so a compost toilet was the easiest quickest big step into this. Living in Florida I always see sewage spills throughout the state ( I think I am on some weird Google algorithm lol) as well as weird things like dumping into the oceans to some degree. I figured since I can't rely on the local governments to properly regulate it (no harm feelings you guys got a lot going on), I would regulate mine by myself. I did this with Shellmate Island too but ended up making a full-blown septic system that is self-stainable and now Tiffany with a Nature Head compost toilet.
First, what is compost?
Why a Nature Head compost toilet?
It was a good brand that had past history experience throughout the tiny house industry. So rather than take a chance on something new or a newer company I went with something I knew would work. I would hate to have spent a thousand plus dollars on a compost toilet and end up still being able to smell the poop.
You may not have much past history with a compost toilet unless you use some sketchy park system outhouses, which coming from a guy that finds walking through the woods fun , they aren't that bad to me. You can still hesitate to ask pertinent questions for that unavoidable squeamish feeling, which often kick in when you discuss poop. While it is understandable, you may want to learn about compost toilets to make your life easy, here are 20 most asked questions about the compost toilet system that can hopefully solve your confusion.
Common questions about the compost toilet
How does a compost toilet work?
It is a waterless fixture that transforms human waste into compost dirt. You can use it like the regular flush toilet. The only thing is it will store your waste, which you would have to spin from time to time to help the composting process begin and break it down. It works like a garden compost but instead, the goal is to keep moisture out so it diverts your poop and pee into two separate containers. However, you will have to add materials to the composting chamber to eliminate the odor and ensure a faster-composting cycle. These materials can be anything from popcorn, peat moss to sawdust. I use coconut shavings after learning it at a tiny house festival from another tiny house dweller named Andrea Burns. The way my body works, I have to change this every 4-5 months and I put it in a separate compost bin to compost for an additional 6 months until I will use it for mulch for the yard or fruit trees. For my pee, I empty about once a week and use that around the yard. Note: If you think it's gross I use pee around the yard or even if I pee around the yard, what do you think the animals do… also it's my yard so I can claim it like a dog if I want.
Can a composting toilet system stink up your house?
The mystery around this toilet system due to the lack of much information makes people doubt its performance and think it's gross. They feel the compost toilet for the house may not be a great solution as it can create a bad smell. But it is not true in today's systems even in tiny homes. Even if there is little odor, it can resemble the smell of mulch or wood. But with my Nature Head compost toilet, it has no smell and achieves that by having a fan inside that used to push the odor and fumes through a pipe and then out to the house. It's essentially like a exhaust and the fan helps with smells and breaking the compost material down faster. There are also seals around the whole toilet to make it more airtight.
Are there any national building laws about a compost toilet?
There may not be any specific rules and regulations around this toilet facility. Still, it will be better to check for yourself the local guidelines in this matter. You can check Google or get in touch with a local zoning department regarding this.
Can you buy a compost toilet for a boat, RV, or tiny home?
Yes. You will need to look for mobile toilets that tend to be travel-friendly. The self-contained toilets should prevent waste spilling or leakage even when there is a violent movement happening.
Is it safe to use toilet paper in tissue in a compost toilet?
When you buy a compost toilet for camper or RV or tiny house you don't need to carry any special toilet paper. This system can break down the toilet paper just like solid waste quickly. Although you can use any toilet tissue, it will still be ideal to go with a single-ply choice. These are easy to break down. Plus, they are suitable for many septic tanks like on Shellmate Island.
How does a urine-diverting toilet function?
Your compost toilet urine diverter can have two separate areas for storing solid and liquid waste. It can help control the smell and helps with regulating moisture control in the compost. Some experts believe these are better than traditional setups in this matter. A mix of poop and urine creates smelling sewage like the ones in the parks etc. However, when they don’t mix, you get two reusable materials, winner winner chicken dinner. My Nature Head Compost toilet has two vampire looking holes that I have to try and pee into (ladies I am not sure how this works for you, you know how that thing works way better than I do) I pee into these holes and it sends it into the liquid container. The poop hole has a flap of some caliber to help divert the pee away from it but I don't rely on that.
Do you need to keep the fan on at all times for ventilation?
Even the best compost toilet can require venting for the composting process. It can use a fan for this purpose and they are like computer fans so super efficient and usually 12v. The fan has to run throughout if it is a busy toilet. You cannot avoid this as it helps in processing the compost faster. However, you can unplug the fan if you are not using the bathroom for a few days but just keep turning it and know there could be more smell than usual in the tiny house.
What to do with urine from the composting toilet?
Plants and trees can benefit from urine. You can dilute one part urine to eight parts water to use it as fertilizer for plants. You don't have to worry about the smell. I use it around the yard all the time. I also pee around my yard when no one is there so there's that.
How to deal with compostable material?
You can pack it in a garbage bag and dump it in the trash like a baby diaper or add it to a compost pile for processing. I use a separate compost bin outside for this and let it compose for an additional 6 months before using it around Shellmate Island.
Can you urinate standing up?
Yes, you can. You don't have to think twice if it is a urine-diverting system as mentioned above. Otherwise, sit and relieve your pressure to avoid sending liquid into the solids bin. Since these toilets don't come with a lift-up seat, men need to be a bit more careful about how they use it, practice makes perfect.
If there are compost toilets for sale, you can choose a model that stores solids and liquids in one place. My Nature Head compost toilet has two separate containers for this exact reason.
How to keep compost toilet tiny house clean?
Sometimes, the bowl can get weird, to say the least. If you have a small spray bottle filled with water and vinegar, you can squirt it down and always does the trick.
Will there be an insect problem with the compost toilet?
Since these are odorless systems, you may not have to worry about worms, flies, and other bugs. But exceptions can happen. If you use bulk materials from your backyards, such as peat or wood chips, there is a risk that they contain larvae or insect eggs, which can invade the system after hatching. Or, flies can enter the chamber if the fan is not running for many days. The easy solution to this problem is to keep it running so that they don't get any free passage and add additional netting to any exhaust system you make for the compost toilet. I also think that the coconut shaving bugs tend to not like but this is strictly bro-science.
Does a compost toilet need electricity?
Several models consume power for continuous venting with the fans. Some draw electricity from batteries, while others attach to wall plugins such as my Nature Head compost toilet and has an outlet right next to it in my tiny house on wheels
What can you add to your compost toilet?
You can learn about it from the manufacturer's manual. Although most of them provide their mix, you can use other items like coconut fiber, peat moss, and sawdust.
How to handle diarrhea and other conditions with composting toilets?
You may have to add a small portion of organic bulking materials, such as peat moss or coco fiber, in these situations. Nature Head compost toilet you really only fill halfway or a little more so there is usually some room to add. Not a big deal honestly, you also shouldn't be having diarrhea regularly so it doesn't happen often.
What to do if the compost is excessively dry?
Since churning dry or hard compost can be a challenge, you can pour water in the peat moss or coco fiber and wait for moisture to go away. After this, you can start the agitator. I would recommend adding water very often though as it could lead to more problems. I'd rather it dry than be too moist.
Can cold winters be harmful to the toilet?
You need to worry about liquid waste with composting toilets. Empty the urine bottle or tube from time to time during freezing weather to avoid any system damage. Although these toilets are suitable for any climate we are still talking about organic compost, these may not compost during extreme cold seasons. For this, you need to make your tiny home is well-insulated.
How to make a compost toilet?
DIY compost toilet designs can be better than commercial products if you get the components and engineering right. You can find it affordable and I have seen it done in many tiny houses. Before you set off for this task, you may need to seek your local bodies' permission for using this. It would be best if you were confident about its maintenance. Simultaneously, you will have to choose a specific configuration for your need. You can decide the compost toilet dimensions only when you know how much space is available for this. It can also help you select between self-contained and split models.
Designing a toilet system like this can feel adventurous, mainly if you are not hands-on with your tiny home. You would need to create a sustainable design that adheres to sanitation regulations really. And if you are not confident about this, it is better to check the compost toilet for sale and pick one. It's really the smartest and safest way to do this.
How much does a composting toilet cost?
A decent portable compost toilet model with dual chambers and ventilation for a house can range from $600 to $1000. For a budget of more than $2000, you can get a high-end one depending on what you're looking for in your tiny house
How to use a compost toilet?
Check out how simple it its to use a compost toilet in this video I made below!
Hopefully from some of these questions, you can form an overall idea about a compost toilet. However, before you buy one, do your research. Read compost toilet reviews to understand what people choose and why. From there I determined Nature Head Compost toilet was my favorite and cost me around $1000.
Please use the link below if you are looking to purchase a Nature head toilet!
-Tim
