COMPOST TOILETS
What Are They?
Composting toilets provide an alternative sanitary solution to flushing with water. There are many different companies that make types of composting and waterless toilets. Some look and feel very much like the one in your house and others work completely differently. They all have one thing in common: they close the nutrient cycle and turn poop into a resource instead of a waste-product.
Because human waste can be dangerous if not handled properly, most cities have building codes requiring certain types of toilets to be installed. These codes promote public health by ensuring that human waste is treated in a safe way. Therefore, special permissions are often required to install a compost toilet. As compost toilets become more popular, many states are creating plans to help users decide if this switch is right for them. For example, the state of Oregon has a compiled list of considerations for installing composting toilets.
How do they work?
Kailash Ecovillage, located in Portland, Oregon, is home to a sustainability-centered community of around 60 people. The community is made up of 32 units, each with its own saw-dust toilet- a type of compost toilet where wood chips are scooped into the toilet after each use to prevent the waste from releasing an odor. These toilets look and feel like any normal toilet you may find in your home or school. The only difference is the toilet bowl is replaced with a 5 gallon bucket that can easily be replaced and cleaned once filled.
The waste collected in the bucket is emptied into an open compost pile to sit for 3-6 months with other composted materials. At the end of this time period, the compost can be placed in a garden to fertilize soil.
can we really compost human waste?
The main ingredient in poop is water (75%). The rest is made up of bacteria (living and dead), fiber, fats, cholesterol, and other things your body cannot digest. Generally, human waste is not composted. However, it is possible when the waste is properly managed at high temperatures for a long period of time, as done in the Kailash Ecovillage.
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