Local Knowledge About Composting Toilets

Many people now know about composting toilets, particularly those in the alternative movement who are quite familiar with composting in their gardens, and who understand the advantages of recycling and simplification of our needs. Many persons approach the subject still thinking that a composting toilet is an old pit toilet, remembered unpleasantly from camping trips. Composting toilets are, however, far from being pit toilets. They range from simple twin chamber designs to advanced systems with rotating tynes, temperature and moisture probes and electronic control systems. Composting toilets are toilet systems which treat human waste by composting and dehydration to produce a useable end-product that is a valuable soil additive. They come in a variety of models and brand names as well as different shapes and designs to enhance the natural composting process. They use little or no water, are not connected to expensive sewage systems, cause no environmental damage and produce a valuable resource. But remember, local codes regarding the use of a composting toilet can vary widely from county to county.