[Greenbuilding] Composting toilets

[CALYPSO]

   Hola Ruben,
   I have a compost toilet(s) system with a urine separator. This is not a
   fancy affair in that it is basically a funnel that is mounted in the front
   access hole attached to a tube that leads the urine away where it can be
   collected and dealt with or merely leached into the distant area (we have a
   hectare of land).
   That written, we have recently started using a human manure 6 gallon bucket
   sitting  underneath an invalid toilet. We empty the bucket(s) into the
   compost toilet - the two holer as we call it which is much like an outhouse
   with two separate chambers with access to clean out each below (a rather
   tall structure - I have photos if you are interested). We keep urine to a
   minimum using the bucket system only for the more serious of banos action
   ;-)
   We found that the bucket system works so well that we abandon using the two
   holer for it; thus avoiding the urine separator that is a rather clunky
   process (not an elegant design). I suppose one might not think of using a
   5-6-gallon bucket as elegant either ;-) In reality there is little fuss as
   we use mostly ground cover and the act of emptying and washing out is not
   offense or nasty in any way. If you use liberal amounts of ground cover than
   it works very well.
   Additionally  I  should  mention that we live in a subtropical climate
   described in part as "If you shove a broom handle in the ground, in a few
   days  it  will  sprout." In other words we have what seems to be ideal
   conditions for quick and wonderful composting action. It is hard to keep a
   compost pile (that includes human manure) intact as the area chickens thrive
   going through it and the pile sort of disappears. We are vegetarians by the
   way - so thankfully we don't eat those chickens or their eggs (lol). I throw
   feed out around the yard to encourage them to visit as they keep the bugs
   down and are rather nice "pets."
   If you merely get a few jars together and sometimes use them for urination
   then add 5 parts gray water and spread this mix around trees and non-edible
   plants it makes a wonderful fertilizer. It seems to me that people make much
   more of this and the 'fearsome' idea of the issue than need be. Virtually
   everyone around us deposits their sewage in the river waterways - this is
   tragic and disgusting - compost toilets are a better idea ;-)


   Saludos,


   Juan Calypso

   Xico, Veracruz, Mexico (& Pueblo, CO.)
   [1]http://vivaveracruz.com/blog/
   [2]http://www.vivaveracruz.com/forum/
   Reuben Deumling wrote:

I'm very interested in a urine-separating toilet (a pricey porcelain seat)
which can be connected through the floor to a urine tank at the front and a
bucket at the back. I have been led to believe that keeping things separate
has all sorts of salutary benefits (less smell, urine is a good fertilizer
diluted with water, the composting material in composting toilets can get
too wet, etc.). I'm curious if anyone on this list has personal experience
with these?

I'm also specifically curious how much of an issue smell is with your
composting toilets--of any variety? I get the idea that with a well designed
stack and a tight fitting lid/seat it is fairly easy to reduce this to a
minor inconvenience. I'm not personally offended by the smell of an
outhouse. But I live in a city on 1/12 of an acre with all sorts of finicky
visitors and relatives. Turning folks off to the whole idea by confirming
their misconceptions about the undesirability of such alternatives is not my
goal. If you can speak to how you've dealt with this I'd be grateful.

I have to admit that the cost and simplicity of your $15-$50 versions are
tempting.

Reuben Deumling

References

   1. http://vivaveracruz.com/blog/
   2. http://www.vivaveracruz.com/forum/