Ultra-cheap composting toilet

Submitted by Mike on 24 August, 2008 - 10:54.

Here is a link to the plans of a very low-cost toilet that was developed in Africa which would be ideal for conditions in Central America. I suspect it's too crude for most posters here but it would be very workable for poor folks or someone trying to fix up an old shack.

http://www.ecosur.org/images/stories/documents/dry_toilet.pdf

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composting human waste

Submitted by nicaraw on 28 October, 2008 - 14:53.

see http://www.weblife.org/humanure/default.html for the most thorough information i've seen on safe, effective and inexpensive 'humanure' composting.

Great site

Submitted by Mike on 28 October, 2008 - 15:18.

Thanks for the tip.

My favorite composting toilet

Submitted by nuestragringa on 27 August, 2008 - 09:40.

It is a whole ecosystem! Beautiful with flowers, take a good book in there, and it may be hours before you come out...

http://www.blacksheepinn.com/CompostingToilet.htm

Let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with me.

ok

Submitted by Che Guevara on 27 August, 2008 - 09:22.

i like the idea, but.... does the stack have enough vacuum pull to pull the smell out the stack in the back? the water toilet has the p trap. the question is, what does it smell like in the wc?

when government grows, liberty yields, thomas jefferson

It's a good start

Submitted by fyl on 27 August, 2008 - 09:37.

If the access hatch is on the south (and, as some have suggested, is glass) that should warm up the "output" side a bit more which should help with the air flow.

As my house design has a bathroom in the middle, I just ordered a Biolet 30NE. It is supposed to work passively but I bought the optional 12V stack fan just in case. The same cheap addition (a fan) should work on the cheap one.

biolet

Submitted by parrotheadnica on 1 October, 2008 - 13:47.

fyl: I just checked the price of the biolet, and see it's right up there - what do they charge for shipping to Nicaragua? Melanie

Probably too much

Submitted by fyl on 1 October, 2008 - 13:54.

We are shipping down a whole bunch of things (gas flash water heaters, coffee toaster, solar panels, batteries, ...) for a combination of CoolTop, for me and for Willy so I just tossed it in. It will clearly be a little item in terms of shipping cost compared to, for example, nine 190W solar panels.

Republic's minimum is something like $300. Find a couple of people who want a Biolet or something else fairly heavy and you are probably better to do a combined freight shipment through them.

Another excellent source

Submitted by Doug on 26 August, 2008 - 17:37.

you are the master of finding great technological applications.

-Doug ©

If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate

Aw shucks

Submitted by Mike on 26 August, 2008 - 17:51.

Now I have my own fan club. Time to start bobbleheads.

I see you...

Submitted by Doug on 26 August, 2008 - 17:56.

more as an action figure, maybe with the 'kung fu grip' ?

-Doug ©

If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate

Nice!

Submitted by nicaus on 24 August, 2008 - 23:05.

This is great but I would exchange the Black Steel Lid for thin glass to help with the evaporation process. I would also position it South by South West to help as well.

Also the toilet seems to be like one we have in the “modern” world that would need water to flush it. Are porcelain “straight slots” toilets being made?

I think there are...

Submitted by Doug on 26 August, 2008 - 17:43.

some made for RV use, although plastic does seem to be the norm. The flap valve could be easily removed for a straight shot or leave it in place and use a little TP to line the bowl so 'things' slid down cleanly.

-Doug ©

If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate

Or

Submitted by nicaus on 26 August, 2008 - 23:54.

Or maybe with the use of the RV style flap in conjunction with ash from fire pits (cal), water and a smiting of rubbing alcohol to replace the “blue” water would work?

great post!

Submitted by Che Guevara on 24 August, 2008 - 19:58.

that was a great post! i like the innovation!

i wonder, can i subscribe to your posts? does this blog allow that?

when government grows, liberty yields, thomas jefferson

Shucks!

Submitted by Mike on 25 August, 2008 - 07:52.

Geez Che you're swelling my already-oversized ego!

There are a few people here, especially Doug, who are tuned into innovations like this. I have been doing some research in preparation for my next extended stay in Nicaragua (starting this Oct or Nov I hope), and have discovered that there are NGOs already experimenting with innovations like this all over the country.

When I get to Nica I will be casting about for something to keep me busy because sight-seeing and taking Spanish classes will only occupy a part of my time. Perhaps I should try to figure out a way to publicize and disseminate some these enterprises since this would take advantage of my professional background.

well.....

Submitted by Che Guevara on 25 August, 2008 - 08:27.

you could help me with my cistern, solar, wind power, and radiant barriers....

when government grows, liberty yields, thomas jefferson

Perfect

Submitted by fyl on 24 August, 2008 - 18:14.

That approach makes so much sense. My house in the Geek Ranch will have a composting toilet. The house design puts the bathroom in the middle rather than on an outside wall so can't use this design there but it just makes so much sense.

I love low-tech solutions where a low-tech solution works as well as anything else.