How are people getting on with composting toilets? We have, so far, had no problems with our simplest of simple loos here at Torr. My compost bin is almost full after 2 years.
The volume keeps shrinking as it rots but I could probably improve things by drilling a few more holes in the bin. It has some in the bottom but initially I was a bit worried about creatures getting in and digging! (I had a weasel in the roof of my hut recently but thats another story). I think it's time to set up another bin and leave that one for a year or two when I will probably tip the contents under a tree in my garden.
The urine separator is excelent but it was about £80. I have to remember to empty the urine container regularly but the poop bucket often sits half full for months particularly in cooler weather. I think a hose directing the urine to a container outside might be safer but not had any disasters yet!
A quick question where did you get the separator insert for your thunderbox from ??
Awesome info on a topic some find difficult. Useful stuff on what has actually been experienced. Some of the books on the subject of composting toilets seem to be a touch evangelical but are short on demonstrating experience. Even though I guess they should have plenty having writ about it.
Here are compost bins from a neighbouring hut and a bit of blurb below about frequency of use and how quickly they fill. There is no urine added as it all diverts to a soak away
Started the first compost bin mid October 2019 we had to break for covid from March 2020 until July 2020 and it would be full by October 2020 when we had to break again for covid approx. 9 months to fill. The second bin would be started in April 2021 (covid break October 2020 – April 2021) and full by end of October 2021 approx. 7 months had a few visitors but would say on average we are there 10-12 days a month but we do add some grass mowings and cow muck as well as dry straw so actual human waste is probably 2/3rds of each bin a bit difficult to quantify. I think it would be a reasonable assumption for each bin to fill over a 12 month period just adding a straw covering.
J
I have an older edition of this book. It's really interesting and full of useful
Fascinating, thanks for this. We're moving to a more rural house soon and going to be installing a composting toilet (more over time), using this as inspiration and expertise, will let you know how it goes. He recommends a composting hacienda :-)