Designing a Composting Toilet

Review the types of composting toilet systems available. Some composting toilets use a simple bucket system while others have a complicated system for separating urine from feces. Likewise, some composting toilet designs work best as an outdoor toilet while others can be easily used indoors. Review each system to determine the type that will work best for you.

Write down and review your composting plans and goals. Will you use the finished toilet compost to grow food or will it be used on ornamental shrubs and plants only? Knowing how you plan to use the finished product helps determine how to design your overall system.

Write down and review your composting environment. Digging a hole for your composting chamber may not be feasible if your ground is rocky, nor is it the best approach for areas that have saturated ground and heavy annual rainfalls. Evaluate how much space you have for different system designs as well. A concrete-lined chamber requires available space, while a barrel system may fit into existing basement or crawlspace area in your home.

Write down and review your ease-of-use requirements. According to Living Outside the Box, a bucket system is the simplest type of composting toilet, but if you or your family members are not willing to empty and clean the buckets regularly, this system is not for you. Likewise, a buried concrete chamber will require more manual labor when emptying the compost because it will need to be shoveled out from below ground level. Knowing what you're willing and able to do as part of the composting system maintenance helps you determine which design to choose.

Gather your list notes together and start a new list that incorporates the must-have features with the wants. This final list will be the design specifications for your composting toilet.