A biodegradable Toilet?
Does the simple thought of this gross you out?
It doesn’t have to.
In fact, this waterless toilet technology should excite you, given its eco-friendliness and props for green living.
Human waste does not necessarily spell doom from pathogens and diseases. Poop can be well sterilized and treated before the end product is utilized for domestic or even commercial purposes.
If you’re wondering how that is even possible, then this article is for you.
But first things first.
Why Go Green?
The biodegradable waterless composting toilet is not a completely new sanitary solution in modern households, but the concept is fast gaining ground among homeowners in recent times.
This is because more and more people are embracing an eco-friendly lifestyle.
Why is this so important?
The world today is experiencing adverse effects as a result of human activities and industrialization, with Mother Nature suffering consequences that are a threat to life on the planet.
Climate change and global warming have been a growing concern for world leaders and nations alike. Human activities such as logging, contamination of water bodies, air pollution, and adverse industrial undertakings have led to irreparable damage to Planet Earth.
To reverse this pattern and prevent further damage to the planet, we need to change our interaction with the environment. Going green is a good place to start.
Water conservation is one way through which you can make your contribution. If you are a homeowner or looking forward to being one, the waterless toilet is a must-have in your home.
Waterless toilet technologies
Several waterless toilet technologies are fast gaining approval among users as they change the way the world poops and improves sanitation by safely disposing of human waste. Some of these emerging trends include incineration, nanotechnology, composting, and vaporizing poop.
You can read more about these revolutionary waterless toilet technologies here.
Of these waterless toilet technologies, composting is the most popular and affordable.
This waste disposal technology works using the process of natural decomposition to convert human wastes into compost.
The waste collected from users empties into a compost vat where it sits and decays naturally. The toilet allows the use of basic materials such as sawdust and ash with each use to help with the decomposition process.
The end product of compost, which in essence is broken down human waste, is then treated or sterilized before being used in enriching the soil and growing edible crops.
Where the end product is not sterilized, then it is unsafe and cannot be used to grow crops for human consumption.
If you are wary about a composting toilet due to concerns about bad odor, then rest assured that this should be the least of your worries.
A well-functioning composting toilet that is properly installed and maintained should not emit a foul stench.
If the composting facility emits a stench, then there must be a problem. Refresh and maintain your composting toilet regularly, and you’ll have no qualms about it.
The Biodegradable Waterless Composting Toilet
One of the water-saving options available for modern households seeking to reduce their ecological footprints on Mother Nature includes installing and using a biodegradable waterless composting toilet.
The composting chamber is often situated beneath the toilet or at a nearby remote location on installation.
This allows the vat to collect all human waste after each toilet use and hold it safely for natural decomposition to take place without involving any septic hookups.
Upon completion of the decomposition process, the end product is sterilized before the chamber’s content is emptied onto the garden for soil enrichment.
However, it’s vital to note that if sterilization and treatment do not occur, such content can only be utilized on non-edible plants.
If there is an emerging eco-friendly toilet that is fast gaining popularity as a water-saving option, then it has to be the biodegradable waterless composting toilet. It is lauded for its contribution to conservation and ecological sustainability.
This toilet is clean, eco-friendly, and does not require the use of water in waste disposal.
Let’s look at some of the biodegradable waterless composting toilet options in detail.
1. Homemade composting toilet
This type of biodegradable composting toilet is a DIY composting toilet. It is designed to suit smaller households and tiny spaces.
It is built with a huge bucket meant to fit beneath a toilet seat comfortably. It is also easy to use since it requires the use of very basic materials such as sawdust and peat moss.
These easily accessible materials aid in aerobic processes that lead to the natural decomposition of wastes.
The toilet is easy to make and use since it does not require complex septic systems to function. Its maintenance is basic, and no plumbing works are necessary.
To keep away foul smells from the toilet, you can separate solid poop from urine using a simple funnel. It is advisable to keep the solid wastes dry since they don’t emit any bad smell in that state.
The compost from the bucket can then be used on non-edible plants, flower gardens, or shrubs once it has fully decomposed.
2. Active composting toilet
As its name suggests, the active composting toilet is built to work effectively on its own with no constant active input. In short, it does all the work.
Like any typical composting toilet, especially the commonly known self-contained kind, the composting vat can be located within the unit, or it can be remotely placed in a different area, outside the home or beneath the toilet.
The active composting toilet is best suited for both on-grid and off-grid use since it has non-electric models and can also run on either electricity or solar power.
This eco-friendly toilet is largely odor-free as the system comes fitted with a fan for boosting air circulation.
For the toilet to work best and accelerate the decomposition process, the active composting toilet requires sufficient heat; therefore, optimal temperatures are necessary.
You should carry out regular maintenance to ensure that the facility does not malfunction.
3 Best Biodegradable Waterless Composting Toilets
The Sun-Mar brand offers some of the best biodegradable toilets. Nature’s Head is another waterless composting toilet brand to reckon.
Here are our best 3.
1. Sun-Mar Excel Self-Contained Composting Toilet, Model #Excel
The Excel model from the Sun-Mar brand is an excellent biodegradable composting toilet with an in-built bio-drum that processes compost by safely converting human poop into an odor-free environment.
It is suitable for both residential, and cabin use though the number of users will depend on the area of setup.
One of its accessories is a detachable footrest that makes it comfortable for both tall and short users.
Here is a detailed review of the Sun-Mar Excel self-contained toilet.
2. Sun-Mar Excel Non-Electric Self-Contained Composting Toilet, Model#Excel-NE
For off-grid users, the Sun-Mar non-electric model is a good bet. This biodegradable composting toilet naturally decomposes the human waste into compost and does not require electricity to run the process.
It is 100% non-polluting therefore does not leave any carbon footprint. The toilet is also fitted with a bio-drum, which acts as the composting chamber.
Read this piece for a review of the Excel-NE model.
3. Sun-Mar Compact Self-Contained Composting Toilet, Model #Compact
This is yet another self-contained biodegradable toilet that offers stench-free composting with the use of natural bacteria.
The model is lauded to be worth every penny spent on it as an excellent composting unit. The waterless composting toilet has perks for green living, as it is 100% non-polluting.
You may gain more insight on the features of the Compact model here.
Why go for a biodegradable waterless composting toilet?
The biodegradable composting toilet has its pros and cons.
Advantages
1. For purposes of environmental conservation and reducing ecological footprints, biodegradable composting toilets are an excellent water-saving option.
These waterless systems do not require the copious amounts of water for waste disposal typical in conventional flush toilets. This eco-friendly toilet saves more than 6,600 gallons of water annually for each person that visits the bathroom.
2. The biodegradable waterless composting toilet makes it possible for the resourceful and cost-effective on-site treatment of wastes making the process.
3. The composting toilet is safe to use as it does not require the use of a septic tank, which can be a health hazard in case of a leak.
4. The use of biodegradable composting toilets reduces environmental degradation by limiting the chances of harmful by-products flowing into rivers and oceans, therefore eliminating any potential health hazards.
5. The toilet uses readily available materials such as sawdust, peat moss, and vegetable peelings to hasten the decomposition of wastes in the compost. This makes it cheap and easy to maintain.
6. Since the biodegradable waterless composting toilet runs on the batch system, this process promotes the use of natural bacteria for the decomposition process, which kills all toxins present in the human waste. The toilet is therefore safe and hygienic.
Disadvantages
1. Extra care and maintenance are of utmost importance; otherwise, the toilet will be a potential breeding ground for harmful pests and pathogens.
2. Bad odor is likely to emanate from the toilet if it is not well cleaned with the right products.
3. Installation and proper maintenance may require an expert; otherwise, the toilet will pose potential health hazards and will be unsafe to use.
4. The toilet might cost you more money than the low-flow models.
How Much Does a Biodegradable Waterless Composting Toilet Cost?
The cost of biodegradable toilets will largely depend on the features inherent in the facility. Some of these features include:
· Size– How big is the toilet? What is its capacity? How many people can it serve comfortably? To get a grasp of these, be keen to look at the toilet dimensions.
· Portability– Can you shift the toilet around? Is the toilet an easy-to-carry model or must it be firmly fixed on the ground?
· Versatility– Is the toilet strictly for household use, or are there models available for RVs and campers?
· Longevity and Durability– What material is the toilet made of? How robust is the frame?
· Child-friendliness– Does it come with a child seat? Is the toilet bowl user-friendly for younger users?
· Biodegradable waste bags– Are these available with a purchase? If not, how readily accessible are they where you are?
The toilet brand and the manufacturer will also influence the cost of a composting toilet. The more popular brands will definitely cost higher than those that are new in the market.
Common Biodegrable Composting Toilet Questions
Here are other questions about the biodegradable waterless composting toilet that are common among homeowners.
Can you use toilet paper in a biodegradable composting toilet?
Yes. But not just any toilet paper. There are toilet papers manufactured specifically for use in biodegradable composting toilets since not all toilet papers can decompose easily.
Do composting toilets smell bad?
With proper care and maintenance, your composting toilet will smell as fresh as the clean, conventional flush toilet that you are used to.
Do you have to empty a composting toilet?
As soon as the vat fills up or as regularly as possible. This will keep the composting toilet hygienic and odor-free.
Can you pee in a composting toilet?
Yes, you can. Suppose you are fearful about a foul stench emanating from your composting toilet. In that case, you can opt for the urine-separating model, which ensures the solid wastes are separated from the liquids to keep them as dry as possible. Dry solid wastes have no bad odor.
Wrapping up
The biodegradable composting toilet is available on some of the major e-commerce sites such as Amazon.
However, it is advisable to seek information about the regulations surrounding composting toilets from your local administration before making your purchase.
Your taste and preference will also help you choose the best model.
Trust your gut, and your pooping experience will never be the same.
