Guide for eco toilets

Eco toilets have been gaining more supporters in Germany in recent years, with their origins tracing back to the revival of the self-sufficiency movement and permaculture in the mid-1970s. In the face of increasingly alarming climate scenarios, more people are adopting a more conscious way of life, aiming to make their daily routines more sustainable. The willingness to make changes or give up certain habits often extends beyond transportation choices or responsible consumer behaviour. Now, an increasing number of individuals are questioning the environmental impact of conventional toilets and turning to alternative systems like eco toilets. But what exactly is a eco toilet, and what sets it apart? We will explore these questions in the following article

The term "eco toilet” is in some ways a collective term for two different types of toilets, although they are similar in one crucial aspect. The word “eco”, which is used nowadays in many different contexts, generally refers to the natural compatibility of products or proves their sustainable manufacturing. The term “eco toilet” also fulfils this criterium. Consequently, this term covers all those toilet variants that are particularly environmentally friendly in operation and are therefore especially sustainable.

This special requirement applies to two alternative toilet systems: humus or compost toilets and separating toilets. The term dry toilet is also often used. However, it is nothing more than a toilet that functions without flushing. Since this applies to both composting and separating toilets, we will distinguish between these two toilet variants in the following.

Both composting and separating toilets are therefore characterised by a waterless mode of operation, which makes them far more sustainable – i.e. “organic” – than a conventional toilet. Because where no water is needed, it is neither used up nor is there any costly reprocessing of black water, as is the case with a conventional toilet. In addition, both compost and separating toilets offer the option of collecting the excrements, composting them and finally returning them to nature in the form of humus.

Two essential aspects of the functionality of separating and composting toilets, which give them the title “organic”, are thus already listed. However, the following section will explain why it pays off to decide to buy an organic toilet.

The main argument for purchasing a composting toilet is undoubtedly the advantages resulting from its waterless operation. In Germany, the daily water consumption per capita ranges between 112 and 142 litres, depending on individual habits. However, only 3 litres of this is used for drinking and cooking. The remaining 109 to 139 litres are used for grey water (wastewater from cleaning and personal hygiene), with a significant 40 litres solely for flushing the toilet! The amount of water saved by using an eco toilet in just one day would be sufficient to sustain someone for almost 14 days.

Moreover, since eco toilets do not flush, they avoid producing black water, which not only benefits the environment but also eases the burden on local governments. Black water must be treated in wastewater facilities through various complex processes involving chemical substances, at an average cost of €4.74 per cubic meter of wastewater. This is money that could be saved by using an eco toilet and put to better use elsewhere. As you can see, being aware of sustainability and water consumption isn't just good for the environment, but also for our wallets.

The waterless operation of eco toilets also provides users with a high degree of self-sufficiency. By not requiring water and sewerage connections, users enjoy maximum freedom of choice and flexibility regarding the location of the eco toilet. They can be installed anywhere in the house or outdoors, provided their dimensions or model design allow it, making them ideal for garden toilets in small gardens and allotments.

A further immense advantage of eco toilets is the possibility of composting the collected excrements and thus returning valuable nutrients to nature. In the case of composting toilets, the name of the toilet variant already refers to this functionality, but separating toilets also enable composting or conversion of the dried feces into valuable humus. The extent to which the two toilet variants differ in terms of their functionality and the points to which attention should be paid in this respect in the various models is explained in more detail in the section "Functionality of a composting toilet”.

After all, thanks to their mode of operation, eco toilets reliably reduce or even completely eliminate odour formation. This is because the widespread assumption that the use of water in a conventional toilet reduces odours is ultimately a fallacy, since in fact the opposite is the case! The main cause for the formation of unpleasant odours can basically be attributed to the fact that liquid and solid excretions are not separated. During the rotting and decomposition processes that then begin, an unpleasant by-product is formed, ammonia, which is responsible for a large part of the unpleasant odours. The greater the moisture content, the more beneficial this environment is for the formation of odours. Eco toilets which allow separation of excrements (i.e. separating toilets) therefore achieve maximum odour reduction and thus enable particularly comfortable use.

As already described, eco toilets are characterized by their waterless functionality across the board. Apart from this, there are, however, various differences in terms of functionality.

Traditional compost toilets collect urine and feces in a single container, where they are converted into nutrient-rich compost soil. In smaller models, the collection container typically holds between 20 to 200 litres, which allows only for pre-composting of the waste. Complete conversion into mature compost soil takes about 24 months, requiring a larger container volume. For direct composting within the collection container, it should have a capacity of several hundred litres.

In this case, proper ventilation is crucial. While oxygen is essential for the composting process, the decomposition also produces gases and heat that need to be dissipated periodically. Therefore, composting toilets with integrated composters require an appropriate ventilation system. Additionally, these models often need extra electrical accessories such as agitators or heating elements, which means they depend on a suitable electrical connection.

The use of a traditional composting toilet is quite similar to that of a conventional toilet, with the main difference being the absence of water flushing. Instead, after each use, a small amount of litter is added to the collected waste. This litter helps bind liquids and moisture and minimizes odors. Since urine and feces are collected separately, and mixing them can lead to unpleasant smells, a significant amount of litter is needed to effectively bind all the urine. Additionally, while a certain level of moisture is necessary for proper composting, excess moisture can slow down the decomposition process and cause foul odors, making the use of litter essential.

Separating toilets such as the TROBOLO are characterised by the fact that they not only function completely without water, but also, and in contrast to composting toilets, allow separation of excrements. Thanks to an integrated urine diverter, urine and feces are automatically directed into two different containers when the toilet is used. Urine flows into a liquids container at the front area of the separating toilet, while solids are collected in a separate solids container in the rear area. This is additionally equipped with a collection bag or inlay to prevent the collection container from becoming soiled and to ensure that it can be emptied easily and hygienically.

An indispensable part of the proper functioning of separating toilets is – as with compost toilets – the use of litter. However, after going to the toilet, this is only applied to the solid excrements, as urine is collected separately from these thanks to the separation system. Consequently, a much smaller amount of litter is required than is the case for composting toilets, as only the moisture of the solids and not that of the urine needs to be bound! In separation toilets too, litter also serves to minimise unpleasant odours. In contrast to traditional composting toilets, however, their formation is largely prevented by the separation of solid and liquid excreta. The use of a separating toilet is therefore much more comfortable.

As soon as the collection container or inlay has reached its capacity limit, it can be removed and disposed of. Although it can be emptied along with household waste, the feces are dried to such an extent that they can be composted together with other biological waste from the garden and kitchen. If you decide to use biodegradable inlays, you can add them to your composter together with their contents without hesitation. The collected urine can then be mixed with water and used as plant fertiliser or disposed of via a permanently installed toilet.

Due to the similarity in the way eco toilets function, they also show some parallels in terms of accessories. In addition to toilet paper, users of both composting and separating toilets are dependent on the use of litter. As already mentioned, however, separating toilets require significantly less bedding than composting toilets, as the urine does not need to be further bound. For both toilet variants, the use of an exhaust air system is also recommended, but for different reasons. While a composting toilet with integrated composter is necessarily dependent on an aeration system, for example to regulate the oxygen content and the air supply of the composter, an exhaust air system in separating toilets serves exclusively to eliminate odours and is therefore recommended but not absolutely necessary.

Finally, the basic accessories of separating toilets also include liquid and solid containers and, for the latter, replaceable inlays, which are available in a conventional plastic version or as a biodegradable version.

The disposal of the excrements is also generally quite simple with eco toilets and requires minimal effort. With composting toilets, the collection container of which has only a limited capacity, the pre-composted excrements must be removed when the capacity is reached and added to a correspondingly larger composter, where they can finally pass through the complete rotting process. In composting toilets with an integrated and sufficiently large composter, this step is consequently omitted – and thus also disposal of the excreta. With composting toilets, emptying intervals of the solids container depend primarily on the nature of the inlays used. While plastic inlays generally do not have to be disposed of until the respective filling quantity is reached, compostable inlays should be replaced after about a week, otherwise the decomposition process will already begin. Finally, plastic inlays can be conveniently disposed of with household waste or emptied in the in-house composter; biodegradable inlays can even be completely disposed of in the composter

Cleaning an eco toilet is usually limited to damp wiping of the seat surfaces and in this respect is no different from cleaning a conventional toilet. In the case of separating toilets, the effort required for cleaning is further reduced thanks to the replaceable inlays of the solids container and is thus even less than that of a conventional toilet. This is because, since the solid waste only comes into contact with the inlays, the cleaning of the solids container consists of removing and disposing of the collection bags and is therefore completed in a few simple steps.

Thanks to the waterless function and the self-sufficiency gained through this, eco toilets can be used very flexibly. Since neither a water nor a sewerage connection is required, they are suitable for both indoor and especially outdoor use. Apart from models with integrated composter, which, due to the size of the reactor, require an appropriate floor space, especially for indoor use, the choice of location for an eco toilet is thus completely flexible. Due to their special functionality and independence from the above-mentioned connections, however, they are particularly suitable for locations where there is no access to the sewage system. Consequently, eco toilets are ideal for use in small gardens or allotment gardens, dog schools, day-care centres, riding schools, weekend and holiday homes as well as in mobile homes, vans and boats. The only restriction in the choice of location is the fact that the exhaust air system of some models is electrically operated, which means that existing electrical connections are a necessary requirement.

The preceding remarks illustrate the versatile ways in which bio toilets can be used, and in particular their well thought-out and sustainable operation. Nonetheless, the advantages and disadvantages of purchasing a eco toilet will be outlined below.

Advantages

• Waterless: No connection to the sewage system required
• Self-sufficiency: Independence from water and sewerage connections guarantees the greatest possible freedom in the choice of location for the eco toilet
• Closing the nutrient cycle: Composting collected excreta ultimately enables them to be transformed into mature and nutrient-rich compost which can then be spread on ornamental plant beds. In this way, nutrients that were once absorbed through food are returned to the soil and the nutrient cycle is closed.
• Sustainability: Eco toilets save several dozen litres of water every day and also avoid the formation of black water
• Hygienic: he plastic and wooden seating surfaces allow easy and hygienic cleaning; emptying the solids container is done in a few easy steps
• Odourless or odour-neutral: Litter and exhaust air system reliably reduce odour formation in composting toilets; in separating toilets, odours can even be completely eliminated thanks to the separating and exhaust air system
• Free of chemicals: Decomposition of solid and liquid excretions occurs naturally and is not prevented by environmentally harmful substances

Disadvantages

• Long composting intervals: It usually takes two calendar years before excreta are completely transformed into mature compost soil
• Space-consuming: Eco toilets with integrated composter inevitably require a collection volume of several hundred litres, which takes up a correspondingly large amount of space
• Electricity connection or costs: Some models rely on an electrical exhaust air system and require an appropriate connection. Large composting reactors also require additional electrical accessories, thus increasing – albeit slightly – the cost balance.

Besides their waterless and thus sustainable functionality, eco toilets are particularly convincing because of the option to compost excreta – either directly in an integrated composter or decentrally in a composter provided for this purpose. Thanks to the composting of solid and liquid excrements, nutrients contained therein can be returned to the soil in the form of valuable humus, thus closing the nutrient cycle. Eco toilets can be used in many different places and are not limited to outdoor areas where the use of a conventional toilet is impossible due to a lack of connectivity. Eco toilets can also be used indoors as an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional toilets and offer numerous advantages over the latter. Above all, separating toilets such as our TROBOLO are attractive for use within your own four walls. This is because the reliable separating system reduces odours to a minimum and is far more effective in this respect than a WC. In addition, the effort required to clean a separating toilet is significantly lower than that of a conventional toilet, thanks to hygienic and easy emptying. Eco toilets are therefore not only a sustainable alternative to toilets, but are actually superior to them in many respects, and moreover an acquisition that Mother Nature will thank you for.