Composting Toilets Garden Nursery Landscaping Guide
Composting Toilets To Help Save Water
By Pixie Matthews
To most people in the younger generations, thinking about using
a composting toilet is is a completely foreign idea most would
rather skip right over and go on to more pleasant thoughts.
But, the reality is that composting toilets are a very real and
very basic part of a natural process that is as old as the human
race. It has only been in the last hundred years or so that the
modern plumbing of today has provided an alternative to such organic
waste solutions.
A Range Of Composting Toilets
Those in the Western world are generally surprised to learn that
even today there are many kinds of composting toilets available
on the market. They come in varieties that are designed to accommodate
varying cultures, customs and climates in different parts of the
globe. The different kinds of composting toilet units also vary
considerably in pricing as well.
The bottom line is that composting toilets are simply devices
that facilitate the composting process of human feces and this
practice can be said to be as old as the hills.
It is nothing more and nothing less than Mother Nature’s way
of recycling human waste components, just as it does with the
waste of other living beings on the planet, and reintegrating
it with the soil as part of the cycle of life.
Very Clean And Hygienic
Contrary to common opinions on the matter, or perhaps based on
unpleasant experiences, composting toilets can be very hygienic,
very clean and do not smell when operated correctly.
They also help to save enormous amounts of water and in many
areas of the world this is extremely important. In fact, in a
global community where it is becoming more important to conserve
water, these toilets could benefit everyone if used more widely.
Flush Toilets And Water Resources
For instance, consider a typical American family that uses a
flush toilet. It has been estimated that a family of four can
flush about 100,000 liters of water each year, just to deal with
their human feces.
This water goes into the sewage system which has the potential
to contaminate ground water sources. But, compostable toilets
actually protect both surface and ground water supplies from this
kind of contamination.
Two Separate Chambers
These kinds of toilets are most often constructed with two separate
chambers which facilitates operation and also ease of construction.
The two chambers of the composting toilet are used alternately.
Once full, the one chamber is closed and allowed to decompose
while the other fills.
When fully decomposed, the contents are removed and the chamber
is ready to be filled again. Each of the chambers has a separate
opening that allows for the removing of the mature compost which
is non-odorous and which can be used in organic farming practices.
Composting Toilets Can Be Used At Home
Composting toilets are suitable to be used by family units and
they can also be constructed in clusters which allow them to be
used in situations such as schools, hostels and other large facilities.
Experts do recommend that any use of a composting toilet on a
community level be done with proper awareness and education. Use
of community composter toilets is only encouraged in areas where
the people are strongly motivated and well-educated.
About the Author:
Pixie Matthews has written a number of articles on gardening and
landscaping including Organic
Vegetable Gardening Products, Vegetable
Gardening Tips, Spring
Vegetable Gardening, Compost
For Your Vegetable Garden, Vegetable
Gardening Tricks, Composting,
Vegetable
Gardening Tricks.
Keep a lookout for more of his articles on this website.
Little Known Composting Facts....
Can I put my pet’s waste in for composting?
You can put your pet’s droppings into your
compost pile but be warned: it will attract animals and is going
to smell pretty bad as it begins to break down. If you live in
the suburbs this may not be the best idea. Rural areas where you
can move the compost heap to a far enough location may be okay but
just be prepared for an atrocious smell. Sometimes it’s better to
just stick with organic materials such as yard trimmings.
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