Waterless toilets, often known as composting toilets, are much more sustainable than extremely wasteful flushing toilets.

Waterless Toilets

The flushing toilet may well be one of the most wasteful inventions ever. A waterless toilet is a sustainable alternative.

Waterless toilets are used where mains sewage connection is not an option, and where other on-site systems such as septic tanks aren’t practical (if there is no room for a soakage area, for example). However, many people are starting to choose waterless toilets because they make more sense.

The most common type of waterless toilets are known as composting toilets. There are various types of composting toilets. Usually the water and nitrogen content is too high in human excreta for effective composting, particularly when urine is mixed with faeces. Therefore, the most effective composting toilets separate liquid from solid solid waste. This is either done at the source with urine diversion or in the compost chamber with a false floor.

Dry organic additives such as sawdust, wood chips, bark chips, ash and paper are used to cover the solid waste. The additives provide aeration and can soak up moisture which mitigates odour. The additives also increases the carbon to nitrogen ratio which also helps the composting process.

Most local authorities have regulations concerning waterless toilets, check with them or a reputable local supplier, before installing a toilet.

Waterless toilets