Composting toilets are the perfect alternative for using in mobile residence like RVs and tiny homes. Luckily, they remain greener than standard toilets, using less water.
This turns the waste into something usable for non-edible plants. These unique plumbing fixtures are perfect for off-the-grid living and help conserve water.
If you start to explore ways to better help the environment, look into composting toilets. So, live on the move, or otherwise change the plumbing in your home, you prefer.
The Composting Toilet and How It Works
A composting toilet is a type of toilet that’s designed for houses and places that operate off-the-grid and as a green alternative to more traditional toilets.
These are toilets designed to hold solid waste, decompose waste, and ventilate the odor to the outside. Composting toilets generally come in two basic designs.
Remote Composting Toilet
First, a remote or central toilet goes as the first type of composting toilet. In this type of toilet, it directly deposits solid and liquid waste to a remote or central composter located away from the toilet.
Typically, this composter exists in the basement or at an outside location. For larger homes, the central system acts large enough to connect more than one toilet for the house.
Self-Contained Composting Toilet
The second type of composting toilet is the self-contained unit. The self-contained composting toilet houses its own composting system where the chamber for composting is directly below the bowl.
Typically, self-contained systems go in boats, cabins, cottages, tiny homes, and RVs. Now, check on then nasty things you need to clean on your toilet. Also. decorate your small toilet affordably like a pro.
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How Does a Composting Toilet Work?
While that all sounds good, there is the question of how does a composting toilet work?
There are numerous types of composting toilets, but some basics remain the same across the various types.
- No water is used to flush the waste into a septic tank or sewer, unlike with conventional toilets.
- A key mechanical component is that when flushed, there is a separation of both the liquid and solid wastes.
- Compost toilets use aerobic bacteria to help break down the waste.
- The tank that houses the waste contains wood shavings, leaves or mulch to aid in the composting process.
- At the end of the mulching process, it ends with a pile of compost soil.
- Depending on where a person lives a licensed septic hauler has to be hired to haul away the compost soil.
- Most use electricity – for powering a heater or fan
- Have a compost container
- The air and exhaust system
- Access doors on the container for emptying
Composting Toilet System Types
Single Composters
Continuous and single composters have only a single chamber. When used, the waste goes to the top of the chamber. Later, after use, remove the waste via a chamber at the bottom.
Double Composters
With a batch, also know as a double composter, there remains at least two or more containers with the compost toilet. This kind of system fills and ages the compost container. After the aging process, put it into the container.
True Toilets
Another composting toilet system, the true toilet, or active system offers a different use.
A true composter toilet maximizes ventilation with the decomposition. Active systems include everything needed for full operation – including fans, mixers, and heaters.
Dry Toilets
The dry toilet or passive systems come as the last and final system. Due to their design, they need more maintenance and upkeep than other systems.
The additional upkeep usually involves extra features like added heating for the decomposition process. This system also takes longer to work than others.
The Pros and Cons of a Composting Toilet
Like with all things, there are advantages and disadvantages of using composting toilets.
Positive Side
Some of the positives for using a composting toilet include:
- Composting toilets are are some of the most environmentally friendly toilets available
- Also, it remains as a perfect for use in remote areas
- Moreover, composting toilets use less water than standard toilets
- Lastly, recycle the waste from composted toilets used for growth of non-edible plants
Negative Side
Of course, there are some negatives to using a composting toilet as well.
- Composting toilets require higher maintenance than the more traditional ones
- Most composting toilets require electricity
- Also, improper maintenance of composting toilets, the insects and odors become a problem
- Once the composting process culminates, remove byproduct needs
- Too much liquid in the compost slows the decomposition process of the waste materials
Knowing what to do when accidents happen in the bathroom surely helps. It also helps if you know how to clean the bathroom properly.
Making a Difference: The Composting Toilet
Composting toilets are the perfect alternative for using in mobile residence like RVs and tiny homes. They’re much greener than standard toilets.
Ultimately, saving water on our toilet conserves our natural resources. Using less water, and turning the waste into something usable for non-edible plants.
Getting to know the invention of toilet supplements this reading we have for you.
The composting toilet isn’t for everyone or every situation. But for living off the grid, and helping to save the planet – these electric run toilets make a huge difference.
Featured Image: CC by 2.0, SuSanA Secretariat, via Flickr
Last update on 2024-04-28 at 09:50 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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