Composting toilet

A composting toilet is a type of <a href="/facts/Dry_toilet/6a3fU1eP">dry toilet</a> that treats <a href="/facts/Human_waste/FkBVmLgc">human waste</a> by a biological process called <a href="/facts/Compost/q6kmXGWU">composting</a>. This process leads to the <a href="/facts/Decomposition/6Bve4pgl">decomposition</a> of <a href="/facts/Organic_matter/t17tVCvk">organic matter</a> and turns human waste into compost-like material. Composting is carried out by microorganisms (mainly <a href="/facts/Bacteria/wC8xSCsU">bacteria</a> and <a href="/facts/Fungus/BHo5DP59">fungi</a>) under controlled <a href="/facts/Aerobic_organism/a629EQD7">aerobic</a> conditions. Most composting toilets use no water for flushing and are therefore called "<a href="/facts/Dry_toilet/6a3fU1eP">dry toilets</a>".
In many composting toilet designs, a carbon additive such as <a href="/facts/Sawdust/lVFHgXxK">sawdust</a>, <a href="/facts/Coir/gtUSs3vq">coconut coir</a>, or <a href="/facts/Sphagnum/IawBHtmW">peat moss</a> is added after each use. This practice creates air pockets in the human waste to promote aerobic decomposition. This also improves the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio and reduces potential <a href="/facts/Odor/WnCopMmH">odor</a>. Most composting toilet systems rely on <a href="/facts/Mesophile/pyedpVMd">mesophilic</a> composting. Longer retention time in the composting chamber also facilitates <a href="/facts/Pathogen/axMXtV1M">pathogen</a> die-off. The end product can also be moved to a secondary system – usually another composting step – to allow more time for mesophilic composting to further reduce pathogens.
Composting toilets, together with the secondary composting step, produce a <a href="/facts/Humus/vlhws4I0">humus</a>-like end product that can be used to enrich soil if local regulations allow this. Some composting toilets have <a href="/facts/Urine_diversion/1zkGv9zn">urine diversion</a> systems in the toilet bowl to collect the urine separately and control excess moisture. A <a href="/facts/Vermifilter_toilet/dzYPyQ1g">vermifilter toilet</a> is a composting toilet with flushing water where <a href="/facts/Earthworm/V7IUvWgQ">earthworms</a> are used to promote decomposition to compost.
Composting toilets do not require a connection to <a href="/facts/Septic_tank/hHgN3sM3">septic tanks</a> or <a href="/facts/Sanitary_sewer/qMKCIW6M">sewer systems</a> unlike <a href="/facts/Flush_toilet/84csAWYE">flush toilets</a>. Common applications include <a href="/facts/National_parks/otRgEoQ3">national parks</a>, remote holiday cottages, <a href="/facts/Ecotourism/JPq6Vyz2">ecotourism</a> resorts, <a href="/facts/Off-the-grid/H2Mm4IQW">off-grid homes</a> and rural areas in <a href="/facts/Developing_country/eTfS4kxl">developing countries</a>.

Composting toilet open-in-new

Composting toilet