Photo: Maria Orlova

Is a composting toilet worth it?

Though the initial cost is higher than a conventional toilet, its long-term benefits far outweigh its upfront expense. A composting toilet can save you money and significantly reduce environmental impact over time.

ahs.com - The Truth About Composting Toilets | Home Matters | AHS

What fits in a 12x16 shed?

12×16 Sheds Most Common Uses The 16' of depth gives you a good amount of room for long items like kayaks, canoes, long ladders, etc. If you are a...

Last updated Sep 3, 2021

Can you use screws on OSB?

Typically, screws are best for OSB and softwoods due to the heightened chance of splitting and easier removal at a future date. This results in a...

Last updated Apr 14, 2022

Are shed plans easy to follow?

These are! They guide you every step of the way to complete your dream shed.

Learn More »

Promotion

By mixing the waste with other materials, composting toilets are able to eliminate odor and use significantly less water than the average flush toilet. Nearly 27 percent of the average American's household water usage occurs when flushing toilets. Despite a federal regulation requiring that toilets use only 1.6 gallons of water per flush (GPF), toilets made before 1992 may be using up to 7 gallons a flush. Even with the reduced GPF standard, a single toilet flushed five times a day will use 2,336 gallons of water per year. A composting toilet provides an alternative to flush toilets by disposing of human waste while minimizing the use of water. By mixing the waste with sawdust, peat moss or coconut coir and venting the flow of air outward, the toilet eliminates odor through an anaerobic processing system.

What are the different types of composting toilets to consider?

• Self-contained systems. The entire system is connected and, for all intents and purposes, a single unit. Should you have confined space availability or a multi-story house, these systems may work best for you. • Centralized systems. A large, centralized tank is installed either under your home or outdoors, and all waste is flushed to the storage tank. There are multiple types of centralized systems which vary in the ways they flush waste and in the number of storage chambers they hold. Depending on your particular situation, a centralized system could provide a better experience, as it is more akin to a traditional toilet.

Why consider a composting toilet?

• You’re interested in reducing water usage

• You want to save money

• You are looking for ways to minimize your environmental impact

In what scenarios do compost toilets make the most sense?

• You’re developing in an area that doesn’t have access to a septic system

• Your structure is not connected to a pre-existing septic system

• You wish to relieve the burden on the existing plumbing system

When a household already has plumbing installed, it may make sense to keep the system in place and simply update the toilets to be more efficient. However, adding a compost toilet can relieve pressure from the system and at least put a dent in reducing costs. Though the initial cost is higher than a conventional toilet, its long-term benefits far outweigh its upfront expense. A composting toilet can save you money and significantly reduce environmental impact over time.

What are the primary benefits of a composting toilet?

Is OSB stronger than plywood?

Osb is stronger than plywood in shear. Shear values, through its thickness, are about 2 times greater than plywood. This is one of the reasons osb...

Last updated Nov 30, 2022

What is a Barndominium?

A barndominium, also known as a barndo, is an open concept steel building with large square footage that combines living space and a working area....

Last updated Jun 17, 2019

Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

Learn More »

Promotion

• Reduces a household’s water usage by up to 60 percent

• Saves money on water — possibly saving more than 6,600 gallons per person a year Composting toilets use little to no water and facilitate the recycling of waste into the environment as fertilizer. Furthermore, by recycling your household’s waste into compost, you promote more fertile soil and have the opportunity to produce more food independently. Composting regenerates poor soil by increasing the production of micro-organisms, helping the soil to retain moisture, reducing pests and plant diseases, increasing agricultural productivity and eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides. By binding heavy metals, eliminating wood preservatives, pesticides and hydrocarbons in contaminated soils, composting prevents pollutants from being absorbed by plants or water sources. By reducing the organic materials in landfills, you help minimize the production of methane and leachate formulation. You will also reap the economic benefits of a reduced need for water, fertilizers and pesticides.

What is the cost of a compost toilet?

• Self-contained compost toilets start at $1,400

• Build it yourself for $50

• Septic system installation costs 75% more than a compost toilet

A self-contained composting toilet starts at about $1,400, but if you’re handy—and adventurous—enough to build your own, you could do so for about $50. Keep in mind that you will need your own outdoor composting bin system before installing a composting toilet. Instructions to build your own toilet can be found on multiple internet sites, but most require the same standard materials: cover material (something to cover and absorb waste), bucket, plywood, particleboard, medical grade toilet seat and assorted hardware.

What are the disadvantages to a composting toilet?

• Manual removal of waste

• Not necessarily aesthetically pleasing

• Oftentimes must be used in conjunction with a greywater system

• Smaller units may have limited capacity for accepting larger amounts of waste

• Most systems require a power source

• Improperly installed systems can produce odors and unprocessed material

Perhaps the biggest disadvantage of composting toilets is the increased level of maintenance and manual upkeep required. Slacking in your maintenance routine can lead to not only terrible odors but horrible messes and health hazards. When using a self-contained compost toilet unattached to a system, you’ll have to manually remove the end product (which could prove to be an unsavory task, to say the least). Most systems require you to be connected to a power source and a greywater system. Improperly installed systems can lead to odor issues. Additionally, you'll need to monitor the temperature, moisture, pH levels, air circulation and level of biological organisms within your compost storage box. These are all the main factors that determine how effectively and efficiently your system is functioning at breaking down your household waste.

Is a composting toilet worth the hassle?

What makes a successful workshop?

Effective workshops actively engage participants and provide opportunities both for participants to learn from one another and to make progress on...

Last updated Nov 9, 2020

What plastic does Keter use?

All of its products are made from plastic, mainly polypropylene, which is derived from petroleum. BC gained control of Keter at a time when...

Last updated Feb 3, 2022

Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

Learn More »

Promotion

• Reduces dependence on conventional plumbing and sewage system

• Reduces overall water use

• Decreases household maintenance costs

• Reduces marine pollution

• Easily detects water pollution

• Ease of property planning

• Flexibility in land development

• Reduces gray-water loading

• Less of a negative environmental impact

Although we have laid out many factors to consider and regulate, operating a composting toilet doesn't require any special training. In fact, there are so many advantages to a composting toilet system that, for most people, they outweigh the hassle. In addition to composting the human waste in your household, the system allows you to recycle and compost anything you would normally put in your kitchen sink disposal (food scraps, etc.), thus cutting down on overall household waste. Onsite composting systems are far easier to manage than conventional plumbing systems, and allow you to avoid issues that most water-borne systems cause. Unlike conventional sewage systems, which require advanced planning during a property’s development, composting toilet systems may be incorporated whenever they’re needed. Onsite composting and greywater treatment systems lessen your overall negative impact on the environment.

Conclusion

Composting toilets could be a win-win. If you want to save money on water and power, minimize your environmental footprint and help conserve our water supply, consider adding a compost toilet to your existing system or using compost toilets in your next development.

ahs.com - The Truth About Composting Toilets | Home Matters | AHS

How thick should a shed floor be?

The best concrete thickness for a shed tends to be 4 inches which is the standard size used for most residential concrete patios, walkways and...

Last updated Apr 8, 2022

Can snakes climb walls?

Yes – some snakes can climb walls. Snakes use a variety of methods to climb walls, including gripping the wall with their scales, using their...

Last updated May 7, 2022

These are the Best Shed Plans!

Comprehensive and Intuitive to follow. Build That Shed!

Learn More »

Promotion

Are plastic sheds worth the money?

Value for Money Plastic sheds are priced well, especially the larger ones. They give a lot of storage for the dollars spent. And although they do...

Last updated Jul 24, 2022

Promotion

Which ply is best for furniture?

Among the many types of plywood for furniture, marine plywood is preferred for its durable nature and superior quality. Also known as Boiling Water...

Last updated Jun 14, 2018