Pop A Squat: Would You Use A Composting Toilet? (POLL)

Inspired by the New York Times Green Inc. blog, we decided to investigate a bit more into what this composting toilet stuff was all about. With the average American using over 7,000 gallons of water each year just by flushing the toilet, we thought there might a greener way to do one's business. Waterless composting toilets seem like a strange idea, but it scores major points for being green friendly and cost effective.

Here's How It Works: These toilets compost and dehydrate human waste and produce a product that can be used on flowerbeds or as other soil additives. The process uses little to no water and is not connected to an external sewage system.

This all may seem a little too dirty, but the toilets are extremely sanitary and odorless (because of the air flow built into the system). Apparently, all you have to do is clean out the bottom composting tray that contains humus - a nutrient rich soil - once every couple of weeks and you're good to go.

(We have read one complaint about a strange whiff from a customer, but that doesn't seem to be the norm.)

The toilets themselves come in several shapes and sizes so you can find one that fits right into your bathroom. We're intrigued that more and more cities are joining in on the composting fun.

We at HuffPost Green have never tried a composting toilet. Have you? Let us know what you think in the comments, and take this poll.

Quick Poll

Compostable Toilet -- What Do You Think?

No. Never. Gross. EW.

It looks like it would be better than a porta-potty.

I'd try it, but I wouldn't want one in my house.

AMAZING. I want one.

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Comments

[Mickle]

Two words: clivus multrum.

[valkyrie607]

How about an article about Living Machine wastewater treatment? The technology's only 30 years old, yet nobody knows about it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_machines

[skyloaf]

If they actually worked. $2000 and months of digging in poop later, I am very sad.

[Agent420]

Doesn't this come under the heading of child pornography? Not like I care, but I have seen many people get upset over something even less innocent than this shot. I think it is a human picture.

[Mogamboguru]

VikingQuest I'm a Fan of VikingQuest I'm a fan of this user permalink

What a joke, 63% of people say they are green . . .

How many greenies here are going to pay $1695.00 for this toilet . . . ZERO PERCENT . . .
__________­__________­__________­__________­________

JEEBUS!

Every average-skilled homebuilder can build a wooden compost-potty himself in a few hours and with 50 bucks worth of materials!

[blaharumph]

i could do without the na ked po oping baby photo.

[mzrecycle]

I remember using the outhouse at my grandmother's home. Not good! I guess the composting toilet is a great idea for cabins and even new homes where a septic tank and field would be the other option. But for homes in places that already have a sewer system, why not just use the old addage: IF IT'S YELLOW, LET IT MELLOW. IF IT'S BROWN, FLUSH IT DOWN.

This system saves gallons of water and doesn't cost $600 to $1400 a piece. And you don't have to maintain it with adding sawdust, or removing the compost every couple of weeks. As a woman, I bought a trash can with a lid and add a liner. Slightly damp paper is stored there. Added to the separate compost pile that I use only for flower beds.

[kim1234dd]

Would human waste be safe in a veggie garden? Maybe I missed that part.

[madfigs]

You have to let it compost on its own for an entire year, after that the pathogens will not be a problem. You can use the urine almost right away (it's high in nitrogen), but on fruits (where you are not pouring it directly on the part you are going to eat).

[kim1234dd]

Uh, I'm going to have to go with no. Besides the iky factor, my left over scraps, shredded newspaper, and leaves make plenty of compost for my whole garden. Interesting, but no.

[VikingQuest]

What a joke, 63% of people say they are green . . .

How many greenies here are going to pay $1695.00 for this toilet . . . ZERO PERCENT . . .

http://www.sun-mar.com/prod_self_exce.html

[VikingQuest]

Multiply that by 3-4 bathrooms . . .

[ErnestineBass]

Anyone who REQUIRES their abode have 3 or 4 bathrooms, dear, needs to start thinking seriously about either down-sizing or practicing birth control.

In your case...I recommend the latter.

[Alice215]

These are great but don't put the waste in your compost or near your veggie garden!

[SvrWx]

Well, I've used outhouses before, which are the equivelant of composting toilets...­especially ones that have been on military bases since time began.

I've looked at newer composting toilets and although I'd love to have one, they are prohibitively expensive. I could use my flush toilet for a year and not spend as much as one good compost toilet would cost me.

[ErnestineBass]

Bollocks. I have two, and paid less than $600 apiece for them.

The cost of constructing a comparable drainfield in a rural area with non-perkable soil? $6,000!!!

A smart peson can "cipher" the economic benefits.

[frantaylor]

Your regular toilet would cost even more if you factor in the downstream costs.

[valkyrie607]

Where's the option that says "Already tried it--not a big deal!"

[Just4theHalibut]

Yeah I was wondering about the absence of that option-- "already tried it" as well.
I've had both types (in different homes in Alaska), there is definitely an Ick factor but not as bad as say, changing a dirty diaper or picking up your doggie's cr-p for proper disposal. The huge, under-the house type (Clivus multrum) is difficult to keep balanced as far as green and brown matter, and moisture level (there is an art and a science to any compost pile). And digging it out is not pleasant, though you may retrieve items that your toddlers threw down there years ago (!). The in-side composters require electricity, so aren't so good off- the-grid or areas where there are frequent power failures. NEITHER type is comparable to an outhouse and if given the choice I'd much prefer a compost toilet. Some parks are replacing the former with the latter.
As far as expense, it was far cheaper to have a compost toilet than build a septic drainfield that met community codes. I'm sure that varies with where you live. Of course, many towns have sewage systems that periodically overflow into lakes and streams. At least this way you know where your p--p ends up!

[ToeCurlz]

I think I'll add an MP3 to simulate the sound of flushing..­.

[Nicon]

I love the idea, but now when the cops show up, where to you ditch your stash?

[MJinCanada]

Just mix it with water first.

[Just4theHalibut]

Good point. And if you have a lifestyle where you spend a lot of time with your head in
the bowl, they are not a good choice.