[Greenbuilding] [BULK] Re: [BULK] Composting toilets

[YankeePerm at aol.com]

In a message dated 12/20/06 7:43:22 AM, LLile at projsolco.com writes:


> I've never seen any need to separate urine, and my calculations indicated 
> that the pile needed the extra nitrogen to achieve a good carbon/nitrogen 
> ratio. (I was using sawdust)  The Humanure guy agrees in his book - he saw no 
> reason to separate human wastes or kitchen wastes for that matter.  My vote is 
> to save your money and use it elsewhere.
> 
> --Lawrence Lile
> 
There are reasons for separating urine.   1) Diluted with water, it can be 
used directly for 'fertigation.'   This has been practiced in some areas fore 
centuries (at least) and works well.   2) Urine attracts fruit flies.   I 
mentioned previously on this list and some idiot responded that I should cover 
deposits, as though I would not be doing this.   No matter, the fruit flies come.   
Come forms of covering material are more inviting than others, but it can be 
a problem in warm weather regardless.   I suppose one could run castor beans 
or other toxic vegetation through the chipper shredder, but probably these 
would also delay composting.   

I've noticed no problems with composting with urine separation. Joe Jenkins 
just doesn't like the smell of urine.   His system works either way.   I've put 
thermometers into piles made mostly without urine, and they heat up fine.   

I've made a composting toilet for $10, by the way, the price of a seat that 
snaps onto a 5-gal bucket.   However, regular toilet seats are more spacious 
and comfortable, and if you have room a box out of scrap lumber to house the 
bucket and support the seat justifies a dollar's worth of screws and nails.




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