With the wide range of composting toilet systems now available, and the ability to have them shipped in from anywhere in the world, it can be confusing to choose a system.
You can start the process of selection by thinking about the following main questions:
1 – Is water use a large concern?
Most composting toilet systems are waterless. But some are semi-flush or full flush systems. The flush systems look most like conventional toilets and may suit the situation more than the dry systems, where usually you will see the composting pile. But of course they do not benefit from the large water saving of the dry systems.
If you are keen on having a water based system, then have a look at the following categories:
2 – How much use will the system get and how often?
For cottage and small house use, then the compact composting units are suitable. These units are good because you do not need modification of your house structure to have a large tank installed. Just put the system on top of the floor and connect a venting system and off you go.
Look to any of the compact systems here:
Dry – Compact – In Unit Composting
Dry – Compact – Remote Composting
If you have larger numbers using the system, or have regular low use, but will get the occasional heavy use of parties or gatherings, you will need to look to the larger systems. These may need modification of your house structure.
The suitable categories are:
3 – Can you make modification to the structure to instal the system?
Many composting toilet systems can be sat on top of the floor and simply connected to a vent and perhaps a urine drain and/or electricity.
For these systems, choose the compact systems:
Dry – Compact – In Unit Composting
Dry – Compact – Remote Composting
If you can modify your house structure you can enjoy the larger capacity of the following systems:
Also, some of the Semi-flush – Tank and Full Flush – Tank systems are remote and the wastes transferred through pipes and these can be installed in conventional houses with minimal alteration to your structure.
4 – Are you ok with removing the wastes in a bin and composting in a separate outside area?
Many of the lowest costs systems are simply manufactured, or homemade pedestals with buckets underneath where the semi-composted wastes are removed and placed in a separate composting area.
Obviously, there is a degree of handling required for these systems and there may be local government regulations to be observed.
If you are ok with handling your bucketed wastes you can enjoy low cost systems by checking out the following category:
Dry – Compact – Remote Composting
5 – Are you ok with a urine separating pedestal?
Separating your liquids from your solids in the pedestal makes the solid wastes less potential for anaerobic composting and generally these systems have been observed as being better operating systems which are less prone to odour problems.
We have not categories them, but you can take this into account when investigating the system from the criteria we have already described.
If regulations allow, you can drain your urine to a ground drain,but you many systems store the urine for later use as it is a valuable fertiliser.
If you still have problem deciding on a system to use, contact us and we may be able to assist.