The craze for green living and, more specifically, waterless systems and composting toilets are taking the world by storm.
The internet is full of information about Eco lifestyles, both from experts and novices. In fact, if you are new to the green living space, you’ll come across so much information that you’d have to fumble your way through to get what you want.
It can be your worst nightmare.
And this is where expertly written books come in.
Not only do they answer the ‘how to’, ‘what if’, and ‘why’ questions, they also explain in detail what composting toilets are and the benefits of waterless systems to modern homeowners.
In this article, we point you to the resources that are rich in information about composting toilets.
Before we kick off the review, here are some of the most common questions that people ask about composting toilets.
i) Can you pee in a composting toilet?
There are a number of things that cannot go into a composting toilet, but pee is not one of them. Like the conventional flush toilet, you can pee and poop in any composting facility.
If your concern with pee is due to the fear of a foul-smelling toilet, you should opt for a urine-diverting model that will separate solid and liquid wastes making your toilet odor-free.
ii) Can you use tissue paper in a composting toilet?
It depends on whether the tissue paper is biodegradable or not. Composting toilets work by breaking down wastes using natural bacteria through a process known as decomposition.
If the toilet paper cannot decompose naturally and quickly, it will cause unnecessary clogging in the composting system, and your toilet will be a nightmare.
Here are the 5 best toilet paper for composting toilets.
iii) Can you use a bidet in a composting toilet?
The idea of a composting toilet was to have a waterless system of waste disposal.
You might opt to use a bidet in your composting toilet, which might not be a very good idea for two reasons:
- It completely beats the logic of waterless technology since you will require water to use with the bidet.
- The composting toilet works best where the wastes are kept as dry as possible. That’s why developers have come up with dry flush composting toilets and urine-diverting models which function just as well.
Suppose you are keen on using bidets while still enjoying the perks of green living. In that case, you can go for micro-flush toilet models that use economical amounts of water and do not necessarily have to keep the system moisture-free.
iv) Are composting toilets durable?
Like any other product, it is important for you to carefully consider a few factors affecting your composting toilet’s choice before making a purchase decision.
The durability of the composting toilet will largely depend on the toilet model, the brand, the frame, and availability of accessories and parts in the event of a malfunction.
It is advisable to gather as much information about a composting toilet as possible from the market before choosing your model.
Generally, composting toilets with robust and solid frames last longer and will serve you for many years.
v) Can I make my own composting toilet?
Composting toilets are popular with homeowners, campers, and RVs, since they are affordable and use readily available products, such as ash, sawdust, and coco coir.
Therefore, the good news is that you can have a DIY composting toilet that is simple and uses these basic products to function well.
However, maintaining a DIY composting toilet can be quite a task since it can get really messy, and if not well taken care of, the facility can be your biggest nightmare.
The toilet’s hygiene is key; otherwise, it is bound to be a breeding ground for pests and diseases.
If you cannot put in all the work required to maintain a DIY composting toilet then it would be unwise to make one yourself.
Many off-the-shelf composting toilets will serve you well despite requiring thorough maintenance and will be less messy.
vi) What is the best composting toilet on the market?
Composting toilets are likable because of their affordability, resourcefulness, the possibility of functioning without using water systems, and more.
Here are some of the best composting toilet reviews.
The top brands Sun-Mar and Nature’s Head take the lead.
vii) How bad do composting toilets smell?
Composting toilets don’t have to smell. For most people, it is almost a foregone conclusion that a waterless composting toilet cannot be 100% stink-free.
Nothing can be further from the truth.
If well maintained and the toilet properly cleaned, your composting toilet will not emit any foul odors.
Here are some great tips on how to keep your composting toilet as fresh as possible.
viii) Do you have to empty a composting toilet?
Yes. Regular emptying of the composting toilet is inevitable to avoid creating a mess and breeding pests and diseases.
The toilet capacity and the number of users will largely determine how fast it fills up. A small toilet fills up faster than a larger model.
If you don’t want to do regular emptying, it is advisable to go for a composting toilet that can serve a good number of users before it gets completely full since it can be quite taxing.
If you lay your hands on an expertly written composting toilet book, all your questions will be sufficiently answered.
Review of Best Composting Toilet Books
Here are our best 5 in no particular order.
1. Composting Toilet System Book: A Practical Guide to Choosing, Planning and Maintaining Composting Toilet Systems
The composting toilet system book by David Del Porto and Carol Steinfeld makes it a whole lot easier for any individual seeking information about:
- How to start owning a composting toilet
- How to select the best composting toilet option for the home
- Installation and maintenance processes of composting facilities
The book is written with the knowledge that composting toilets are fast gaining popularity as municipalities recommend waste disposal systems that curb environmental pollution and contamination of drinking water.
The book offers a wide range of eco-friendly recycling toilet options available for homes, cottages, and RVs.
It also offers recycling options for users who have micro-flush toilet facilities and greywater gardens.
A whole chapter has been dedicated to greywater systems, the potential health risks, and how they should be handled.
The composting toilet system book offers comprehensive information on DIY systems, off-the-shelf designs, and more than 40 systems that you can buy or build.
It also offers composting toilets regulatory information for each state and the profiles of owner-operators around the world.
Information on compatible toilet stools, whether waterless, vacuum-flush, urine-diverting, foam, or micro-flush, is available.
According to the author, the book is anchored on regulator friendliness to make it easier for readers and composting toilet users to get local permits.
The book is best suited for homeowners seeking to build DIYs or install up-to-date composting toilets that meet state codes.
It’s available in paperback.
Review
- Gives a holistic cover of composting toilets
- Deals with the technical aspects of the toilets and the relevant composting system regulations
- It is very helpful if you have just discovered composting toilets as it will save you a lot of mistakes.
Product details
· Publisher: Eco waters Books (April 1, 1999)
· Language: English
· Paperback: 240 pages
· Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 0.8 x 11 inches
· ISBN-10: 0966678303
· ISBN-13: 978-0966678307
· Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
· Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,100,154 in Books
Ø #181 in Waste Management
Ø #2927 in Ecology (Books)
Ø #169 in Plumbing & Home Automation Remodeling
2. Compost Toilets: A Practical DIY Guide Paperback – Illustrated, May 31, 2012
If you are looking for an introductory book that offers practical tips for a DIY composting toilet, then you should make this pick.
The book is not written in a complex techie language and does not dwell too much on the science when explaining the “how to.”
The book, Compost Toilets: A Practical DIY Guide by Dave Darby, is informative and easy to read, making it the go-to book for those who have just discovered composting toilets and would like to try them out.
This practical DIY guy is a must-have in your collection if you are looking forward to installing an off-grid composting toilet.
It is resourceful and offers everything you need to know about building your own composting toilet, the decomposition process, hygiene and maintenance, use, handling pathogen, troubleshooting, environmental benefits, and the proprietary models available.
It’s available in paperback.
Review
- The book is very practical and resourceful for anyone seeking an introductory book into composting toilets.
- However, it is best suited for the British market going by the building codes provided.
- The United States market might not find it very useful due to the difference in building codes. Otherwise, it is recommended.
Product details
· Publisher: Low-impact Living Initiative (LILI); Illustrated edition (May 31, 2012)
· Paperback: 124 pages
· Language: English
· Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.3 x 9.2 inches
· ISBN-10: 0956675115
· ISBN-13: 978-0956675118
· Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
· Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,634,663 in Books
Ø #268 in Waste Management
Ø #5709 in Sustainable Living
Ø #8521 in Agricultural Science (Books)
3. The Ultimate Composting Toilet Guide: Everything You Need To Know About Compost Toilets Paperback – May 10, 2017
The Ultimate Composting Toilet Guide by Cory Ethert is another resourceful book for both newbies who are just getting introduced and those who are ready to make a purchase decision.
The book outlines the popular composting toilet brands, how they work, and which factors you should consider to make the best buy.
The book is written from an expert point of view, with the author, Cory Ethert, sharing his hands-on experience from years of selling and using composting toilets.
He seeks to answer as many questions as he came across during his years of interaction with different consumers.
The book attempts to offer solutions for every conceivable problem that could face composting toilet users.
It’s available on Kindle.
Review
- The book is comprehensive and offers honest insight
- It has been broken down into chapters that cover a range of topics touching on composting toilets, how they work, their use, the different models available in the market, the anticipated problems and their possible solutions, and so much more.
Product details
· Publisher: Independently published (May 10, 2017)
· Paperback: 35 pages
· Language: English
· Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.1 x 11 inches
· ISBN-10: 1520832087
· ISBN-13: 978-1520832081
· Shipping Weight: 5.1 ounces
· Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,812,787 in Books
Ø #6090 in Sustainable Living
Ø #27502 in Home Improvement & Design Books
4. Essential Composting Toilets: A Guide to Options, Design, Installation, and Use (Sustainable Building Essentials Series) Paperback – 27 Nov. 2018
For buyers and users looking for a streamlined manual that offers practical answers to ‘how-to’ questions touching on composting toilet designs, selection, operation, and installation processes, the Essential Composting Toilets by Gord Baird BA (Author), Ann Baird BSc (Author), is a rich resource.
The book takes into consideration the universal health and safety standards, ensuring the objectives are met.
Using past and current research, it seeks to dispel myths surrounding composting toilets and offers tools that will allow you to assess various composting systems.
It’s available on Kindle.
Review
- The book is illustrated with photos, plan, and drawings, making it easy to understand even for newbies
- It is practical in its approach, and DIY enthusiasts will find it useful
- It is recommended for homeowners, building consultants, designers, and advocates of water conservation
Product details
· Publisher: New Society Publishers (27 Nov. 2018)
· Paperback: 192 pages
· Language: English
· Product Dimensions: 21.6 x 1.3 x 27.9 cm
· ISBN-10: 0865718725
· ISBN-13: 978-0865718722
Ø Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 978,856 in Books
Ø #131 in Waste Disposal
Ø #153 in Home Improvement Plumbing
Ø #333 in Gardening Soil Science
5. The Humanure Handbook, 4th Edition: Shit in a Nutshell Paperback – 6 May 2019
The final composting toilet book on our list of resources is the 4th edition of The Humanure Handbook by Joseph C Jenkins (Author).
The book has been translated into 19 languages and has sold more than 65000 copies in the U.S alone.
It has won numerous awards on the earlier editions and has received significant mentions on different media outlets such as the wall street journal, The Journal of Environmental Quality, and Organic Gardening Magazine, among others.
The book offers a practical manual for organic gardening and composting.
It’s available in paperback.
Review
- Awesome start for anyone seeking to learn the basics of composting
- Avid composters will also find this comprehensive book extremely useful
- The book is well researched and offers practical solutions that help to safely recycle human waste without the fear of environmental or chemical pollution
Product details
· Publisher: Jenkins Publishing, U.S.; 4th Revised ed. edition (6 May 2019)
· Paperback: 300 pages
· Language: English
· Product Dimensions: 15.3 x 2 x 22.9 cm
· ISBN-10: 0964425882
· ISBN-13: 978-0964425880
· Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 33,173 in Books
Ø #4 in Waste Disposal
Ø #11 in Gardening Soil Science
Ø #14 in Environmental Engineering & Technology
Wrapping Up
If you are a rookie in composting systems or you simply fancy a green lifestyle, having these composting toilet books in your library will be a big plus.
Not only will you learn the perks and operation of composting toilets but also readily access information on the best composting toilet models available in the market.
