Maintenance and changes
We've found that it really isnt too much work maintaining the toilet. It does work out about once a week that it needs emptying, which is very manageable, and as Uri and I take turns, it only works out to once a fortnight each. We find that when guests come to stay they tend to throw in much more mulch than is needed, which does fill it up more quickly. I would like to add a notice somewhere in the toilet as to how much mulch is needed, and maybe to explain a little more about composting toilets to anyone who visits.. We also have had a problem that after a big rain the wood around the seat can swell and some of the nails that hold it together work their way out. The wood needs to be sealed from the water and more rain protection adding onto the open sides.
These are the things that I would still like to do to the toilet that I haven't yet got around to..
These are the things that I would still like to do to the toilet that I haven't yet got around to..
- Add a notice for guests explaining how it works
- Get an extra bucket for when visitors come
- Finish water collecting system on toilet, add tank and connections to basin
- Create water system for compost pile
- Cover the open sides, to stop rain and wind coming in
- Paint or oil the whole thing so the wood is water tight
Evaluation so far
On the design process:
After taking the time to consider all of the options of composting toilets in my SWOC analysis, it became clear to me that the bucket method would suit our needs the best in our particular situation. Our primary needs were for a toilet that was quick, cheap, and easy to build, and one we could keep a check on the breakdown of the compost if we needed to, and all of these needs fit the bucket method very well. It was easy to see this after doing this analysis, and I feel that this tool has proven to be really beneficial towards the process of my design. I also think that the Mc Harg exclusion method of working out the best placement of the toilet has really helped to show very clearly why the toilet was placed in the final position, and for what reasons I came to that conclusion.
After taking the time to consider all of the options of composting toilets in my SWOC analysis, it became clear to me that the bucket method would suit our needs the best in our particular situation. Our primary needs were for a toilet that was quick, cheap, and easy to build, and one we could keep a check on the breakdown of the compost if we needed to, and all of these needs fit the bucket method very well. It was easy to see this after doing this analysis, and I feel that this tool has proven to be really beneficial towards the process of my design. I also think that the Mc Harg exclusion method of working out the best placement of the toilet has really helped to show very clearly why the toilet was placed in the final position, and for what reasons I came to that conclusion.
On the toilet itself:
Does the toilet fulfil our needs? In a word, yes. I feel that it works really well for us. And most of all, it was really quick and simple to make, and we were able to use almost all recycled materials, so costs were very minimal.
Total money spent on the toilet system:
Plastic bucket: 4 euros
Tarp for the roof: 3.50 euros
Nails: 5 euros
Everything else used was recycled and reclaimed.
We haven't yet tried it out with very big gatherings of people, but we find that when more than 5 or 6 people are visiting us we do need to keep an eye on it throughout the day and empty it as soon as necessary. Though we still do have only one bucket; if we bought another bucket or two we could just place them to the side once full, with the lids on, and replace them with an empty bucket. They could then be emptied when we have the time after everyone has left. Though with our compost pile hidden behind the toilet in the woods as it is, we can easily sneak off for 5 minutes and empty the buckets without needing to go through a gathering, a definite advantage.
I think in the future we will keep this toilet system for ourselves, and perhaps make another system that requires less maintenance for larger groups of people. We have an idea that we could run a weekend workshop sometime near in the future in building a larger composting toilet system and we could construct it together with the participants. So I've now started to look at more designs of toilet that would work better for large groups.
Does the toilet fulfil our needs? In a word, yes. I feel that it works really well for us. And most of all, it was really quick and simple to make, and we were able to use almost all recycled materials, so costs were very minimal.
Total money spent on the toilet system:
Plastic bucket: 4 euros
Tarp for the roof: 3.50 euros
Nails: 5 euros
Everything else used was recycled and reclaimed.
We haven't yet tried it out with very big gatherings of people, but we find that when more than 5 or 6 people are visiting us we do need to keep an eye on it throughout the day and empty it as soon as necessary. Though we still do have only one bucket; if we bought another bucket or two we could just place them to the side once full, with the lids on, and replace them with an empty bucket. They could then be emptied when we have the time after everyone has left. Though with our compost pile hidden behind the toilet in the woods as it is, we can easily sneak off for 5 minutes and empty the buckets without needing to go through a gathering, a definite advantage.
I think in the future we will keep this toilet system for ourselves, and perhaps make another system that requires less maintenance for larger groups of people. We have an idea that we could run a weekend workshop sometime near in the future in building a larger composting toilet system and we could construct it together with the participants. So I've now started to look at more designs of toilet that would work better for large groups.
More composting designs for future use
One method I've started to look at now is the Multrum composting system. This involves a deep pit below the toilet that collects waste and slowly turns it into compost. One great addition is the exhaust pipe, which can be made with an extractor fan, which takes away the odours from the pile. It is however a method of cold composting, and you can't easily monitor the heat in the pile due to it being mostly enclosed. Now after my research I know that unless the compost was re-composted using heat methods, or left somewhere to break down for an extra year or so, it wouldn't be safe to use on food crops. You can see some examples of this in the images below.
I like some things about this system, seems very low/no maintenance, but will need some more research before I see if it will fully fit our needs for large gatherings of people. As with all permaculture designs, in my opinion, they are never finished pieces of work, rather the creation of systems which are continually observed and improved upon as time and experience goes by. This toilet system is definitely going to work like this for us.
Another possibility of humanure composting I am looking into is shown below.
Another possibility of humanure composting I am looking into is shown below.
The use of worms in composting
This project has brought my attention to several of the principles of permaculture..
To catch and store energy
The energy flows from the sun that shines, to the food we eat to nourish our bodies, which then flows through the works we do, people we love, and interactions we have. Some of this energy, meanwhile, is released as fertile waste coming from our bodies. With this system we are catching that output and composting it, and then when the time is right, returning it to the land where it is transformed into new growth of the plants surrounding us. This is a beautiful cycle to be a part of.
integrate rather than segregate
We are working with integrating all waste products from the land (and ourselves) into the greater cycle, re-using as we can. With this humanure system in particular we are able to keep a closed loop and integrate the waste into the landscape.
produce no waste
This one doesn't need much explanation.. Why flush and pollute in absolute disharmony when you can use your waste to grow and reconnect to the cycles of nature?
obtain a yield
As this is still a new system we will have to wait around a year for our physical yield of compost to be achieved. I have, however, achieved a sense of satisfaction from our humanure system and really get a lot of enjoyment out of taking responsibility for this part of our lives. I feel grateful for this opportunity that the land has given us to be able to use a composting waste system.
use and value renewable resources and services
Despite being the most renewable resource around, the value of human waste has been ignored for as long as I know. And now after spending several months dealing with humanure, I now find it very unsettling to use a flush toilet. All that water, all that processing, what a waste...
To catch and store energy
The energy flows from the sun that shines, to the food we eat to nourish our bodies, which then flows through the works we do, people we love, and interactions we have. Some of this energy, meanwhile, is released as fertile waste coming from our bodies. With this system we are catching that output and composting it, and then when the time is right, returning it to the land where it is transformed into new growth of the plants surrounding us. This is a beautiful cycle to be a part of.
integrate rather than segregate
We are working with integrating all waste products from the land (and ourselves) into the greater cycle, re-using as we can. With this humanure system in particular we are able to keep a closed loop and integrate the waste into the landscape.
produce no waste
This one doesn't need much explanation.. Why flush and pollute in absolute disharmony when you can use your waste to grow and reconnect to the cycles of nature?
obtain a yield
As this is still a new system we will have to wait around a year for our physical yield of compost to be achieved. I have, however, achieved a sense of satisfaction from our humanure system and really get a lot of enjoyment out of taking responsibility for this part of our lives. I feel grateful for this opportunity that the land has given us to be able to use a composting waste system.
use and value renewable resources and services
Despite being the most renewable resource around, the value of human waste has been ignored for as long as I know. And now after spending several months dealing with humanure, I now find it very unsettling to use a flush toilet. All that water, all that processing, what a waste...
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