Composting toilets are a favorite among households that have embraced green living, especially in developing countries.

This is because they are cheaper alternatives to conventional flush toilet systems that require complicated sewerage systems and treatment plants.

Most households are however skeptical about having this type of waterless toilet in their homes for fear of foul odor emanating from the lavatory.

This is because most people don’t understand how waterless toilets work.

But first things first.

What is a composting toilet?

A composting toilet is a waterless toilet design that uses natural decomposition processes to dispose of human wastes.

The toilet makes use of bacteria to break down the human excreta into humus that can then be applied as fertilizer on the farm.

The composting toilet system comes in two designs.

The first design is the basic homemade composting toilet which can be easily built by any homeowner in a small space within the home.

This DIY composting toilet comprises of a bucket firmly installed under a toilet seat. The toilet requires the user to put sawdust into the bucket each time they conduct their business in the facility.

To allow natural decomposition, the waste is then collected and emptied into a compost pit or container.

The use of basic materials such as sawdust makes this design a favorite among households since it is affordable.

Complicated plumbing works and septic sewerage systems are not a requirement for this DIY composting toilet to function making it a cheap alternative to the traditional flush toilet.

Keeping the solid feces dry from urine using a funnel ensures foul odor is kept at bay.

When dry, the solid wastes don’t emit any bad odor and the end product of compost can be used on non-edible plants, shrubs or flower gardens.

The other composting toilet design is the active composting toilet which unlike the homemade design requires no active human input since the toilet is built to do all the work.

Like the self-contained type, the active composting toilet is installed with a composting container.

This can be built into the unit or it can be remotely located in a totally different area, outside the house or beneath the toilet.

Since the toilet does not require active human input, it runs on either electricity or solar power. However, there are non-electric models available as well.

In order to accelerate decomposition, this toilet design requires optimal temperatures for the heating processes.

To eliminate the foul smell from the system the toilet is fitted with a fan to boost aeration.

Given how composting toilets work, if well maintained they should not emit any bad smell.

There are a few tips and tricks that composting toilets can keep up their sleeves to prevent the stench. You can read more about this here.

How It Works

The technology behind composting toilets works through the completion of three main processes.

• Decomposing the human waste and waste paper gradually and in an odorless fashion
• A complete breakdown of waste ensuring it is free of pathogens
• Segregation of the watery wastes through evaporation

There are different designs available from different manufacturers. At the end of the day, the composting toilet regardless of who manufactures it aims at accomplishing the above processes in an efficient manner.

In some cases, the composting toilet designs are built with 3 separate chambers in which the processes take place.

Let’s look at what these chambers independently.

Chamber 1

This is the composting chamber. For complete decomposition to take place the presence of aerobic bacterial, sufficient moisture content and warmth is necessary.

The first chamber seeks to provide a suitable environment for composting to take place.

The waste is collected and emptied into the composting chamber where it mixes with carbon-based material or bulking agents through an inlet located on top of the vat.

The compost container is then rotated periodically to give the mix a thorough churn using the handles attached to the vat.

As the container rotates the door to the chamber shuts automatically to prevent the mixture from spilling outside the drum.

Once the waste has been thoroughly mixed you can empty it from the container by simply opening the locker and releasing the rotating drum backward.

This will allow the inlet door to open allowing the waste to pour into the next vat which is the compost finishing chamber. The composting chamber then repositions itself to receive more wastes.

Chamber 2

From the composting chamber, the waste empties into the finishing chamber for further decomposition and to avoid contamination with fresh incoming waste.

Gradual drying takes place in this chamber to ensure all pathogens that cause diseases are eliminated. A stream of dehydrating air is run through the compost to completely dry it before it is removed from the chamber.

Emptying the finishing chamber requires no use of screws or tools since it can be done by hand. Upon sanitization, the container is emptied to create room for more compost.

The frequency at which the vat is emptied depends on a number of factors such as the number of users and the frequency of use.

Chamber 3

The third chamber is the evaporating chamber where the separation of the fluid in wastes through evaporation takes place.

Decomposition does not require a high moisture content therefore the waste in the compost pit should be kept relatively dry.

Any fluid not utilized in the composting chamber is directed into the third chamber for evaporation. The liquid is then oxygenated leaving behind trappings of debris from the compost.

The dried up debris is free of pathogens and once sanitized, the compost is ready for use in the gardens and to plant trees and flowers.

Conclusion

Despite requiring extra care and maintenance composting toilets are famed for their sustainability and environmental conservation abilities by saving water normally used in huge amounts in conventional flush toilets.

They allow on-site treatment of wastes making the process cost-effective and resourceful. The composting toilet also allows the use of toilet paper as the same can be broken down during decomposition.

Before settling on a specific design for your home use, shop around for models from different manufacturers to determine how composting toilets work and whether your needs are met.

Keep your composting toilet smelling fresh and pest-free and reduce your ecological footprint using the green toilet systems.