Can You Throw Toilet Paper in a Composting Toilet?
Composting toilets, also known as dry or biological toilets, are not connected to traditional sewer lines or septic tanks. Although their functions differ from those of a traditional toilet, you may throw toilet paper into them. Does this Spark an idea?
-
Process
-
In a composting toilet, aerobic bacteria and fungi break down waste, much like they do in yard compost. Most composting toilets consist of a composting reactor, which is attached to the toilet; an exhaust system to block odor; and a ventilation system to assist with aerobic break down of waste.
Paper
-
Human waste on its own will not be efficiently composted. The process requires the addition of a carbon additive. Toilet paper may be helpful, as can wood shavings tossed into the toilet, according to "Field Guide to Appropriate Technology."
-
Considerations
-
Food waste may provide additional fuel for the aerobic bacteria and fungi in a composting toilet. Installing a mixer to help keep the waste loose and expose more of it to air may also improve the function of a composting toilet.
-
References
- Photo Credit toilet paper image by Aleksandr Ugorenkov from Fotolia.com
More Like This
Comments
-
TP is fine, but food waste is not appropriate in composting toilets; adds odors and may promote anaerobic bacteria. The size of wood chips is important for some of the same reasons. Large (1 to 2 cm) curls of wood are an ideal bulking agent whereas sawdust is a very bad idea as it compacts and goes anaerobic. Farm store may sell animal bedding that is usable, but avoid dusty or fine forms. Adding sphagnum moss to hold fluid is a good idea, also. The main problem in a CT is excess urine and separating some of that is a good idea at least until it can be added to the secondary composting site (which is advisable, also). Those of us who live in the woods are at a definite advantage here.
