Composting Toilets. The Loveable Loo.

[RichG]

Great system. I learned more than I ever wanted to know about s@#t. :smokin:

http://humanurehandbook.com/store/LOVEABLE-LOO-Eco-Toilet.html


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jhFKSjvqX4

[minimus]

Great, so where do I get an endless supply of sawdust ?

[Thornapple]

Great, so where do I get an endless supply of sawdust ?

Armchair Survivalist did a show and suggested using dirt instead. As dirt has microorganisms that help start the breakdown.

So basically this is a box with a seat for a 5gal bucket. I just bought a Luggable loo snap on seat for $12 that snaps onto any 5gal bucket and a roll of garbage bags. All though I will admit this looks more comfortable.

I do think sometimes that in an EOTWAWKI situation, most folks don't realize what's going to happen to the public sewer system. Once the pumps stop and the pipes start filling up its going to be nightmarish with toilets backing up everywhere.

[techguy2]

you need something.

even a collection of 5 gal buckets that are sealable is more than 99% of your neighbors.

We have a new porta potti sitting in our prep room, along enough chemicals for it for 6 months or so of daily use. Total cost: 100 bucks.. This is the 150 buck model with a nice capacity. We bought it at camping world during a closeout sale, the model was discontinued for a new model with the same specs just more aesthetics. A little more comfy than a bucket with a lid.

We have several plastic barrels that will serve as a waste receptacle for daily empty of the porta potti.

We are on septic, but have an aerobic (needs electricity) system. Ultimately this whole system need to be able to run at least 8hrs a day on solar.

But you dont even have to spend the cash, a few buckets, lids, and some concentrated treatment chem from an rv store will have you good to go for weeks with only a few dollars spent.


The real threat is suburban and urban neighborhoods in which your neighbors will be dumping their waste too close to you and each other.. that is when the problems start.

[TnAndy]

I do think sometimes that in an EOTWAWKI situation, most folks don't realize what's going to happen to the public sewer system. Once the pumps stop and the pipes start filling up its going to be nightmarish with toilets backing up everywhere.


Public sewers, yep....gonna be a lot of problems.

Private septic systems like mine will operate the next 30 years just like the last 30 years, with no problem.

Yet ANOTHER reason ya'll ought to 'git outa Dodge'

[techguy2]

Public sewers, yep....gonna be a lot of problems.

Private septic systems like mine will operate the next 30 years just like the last 30 years, with no problem.

Yet ANOTHER reason ya'll ought to 'git outa Dodge'

Unless you have one like mine.. pumps, aerators, etc... gotta have the juice or I am up (or in) sh%$ creek.

One of the primary reasons we will be investing in at least a modest solar setup soon. I would like enough power for basic lights, septic aeration/pump and pond aeration. And just maybe a small amount of refrigeration.

[RichG]

I get the port-a-potty thing. I have an RV and use the chemicals in that. I hate those chemicals. This system is totally chemical and electric free. It and if maintained correctly will be odor free (even in the same living room) and will produce compost.

I am on septic here at the main house. Because of the chemicals used in the RV toilet I can never dump any sewage from the RV into my septic. The chemicals will destroy any decomposing bacteria in my septic ( the port-a-potty chemicals are heavy duty and will kill everything).

I like these composting toilet systems a lot. No chemicals to buy, no electricity, and they could be set up anywhere. I watched every video on the above site. I learned a lot!!! The heat from the composting cycle kills all the bacteria. Hell, throw some chicken **** in the batch and I bet the compost pile will reach close to 200 deg, maybe even catch on fire!! Huh Andy :-).

I would look hard at this system. The bigger question is where to set-up the composting. I have not done it seriously. The pallet system looks good. Could you compost in a huge plastic trash bin on wheels? So you could move your composter close to the house, and then move it to someplace to age when full? That way when the cycle is complete you can just wheel the bin to the garden in a year or two.

Thoughts? :smokin:

[techguy2]

I get the port-a-potty thing. I have an RV and use the chemicals in that. I hate those chemicals. This system is totally chemical and electric free. It and if maintained correctly will be odor free (even in the same living room) and will produce compost.

I am on septic here at the main house. Because of the chemicals used in the RV toilet I can never dump any sewage from the RV into my septic. The chemicals will destroy any decomposing bacteria in my septic ( the port-a-potty chemicals are heavy duty and will kill everything).

I like these composting toilet systems a lot. No chemicals to buy, no electricity, and they could be set up anywhere. I watched every video on the above site. I learned a lot!!! The heat from the composting cycle kills all the bacteria. Hell, throw some chicken **** in the batch and I bet the compost pile will reach close to 200 deg, maybe even catch on fire!! Huh Andy :-).

I would look hard at this system. The bigger question is where to set-up the composting. I have not done it seriously. The pallet system looks good. Could you compost in a huge plastic trash bin on wheels? So you could move your composter close to the house, and then move it to someplace to age when full? That way when the cycle is complete you can just wheel the bin to the garden in a year or two.

Thoughts? :smokin:

I hear ya on the chemicals... they are truly nasty. But I think they are a viable short term prep solution for many. Long term? Not so much.

I would be curious as to what happens to pharmaceuticals and other chemicals during this process... i.e. do birth control hormones stay intact? What about chemo type drugs? My wife takes some pretty heavy meds that I want NO part of. If there was even a chance that those drugs stayed throughout the compost process i would really be leery of using them on my vegetable garden..

[RichG]

I would be curious as to what happens to pharmaceuticals and other chemicals during this process... i.e. do birth control hormones stay intact? What about chemo type drugs? My wife takes some pretty heavy meds that I want NO part of. If there was even a chance that those drugs stayed throughout the compost process i would really be leery of using them on my vegetable garden..

Excellent point!!! Excellent. I got nothing....

Need to do some more digging. :smokin:

[hoarder]

We are on septic, but have an aerobic (needs electricity) system.Most modern septic systems are way oversized (like 10 to one) as a safety factor against small homes being rented to a family of 23 Pakistanis. Most likely your aerobic system will default to the non-aerobic mode to a degree that it will support one or two people for several weeks before it will need to be powered.

[techguy2]

Most modern septic systems are way oversized (like 10 to one) as a safety factor against small homes being rented to a family of 23 Pakistanis. Most likely your aerobic system will default to the non-aerobic mode to a degree that it will support one or two people for several weeks before it will need to be powered.

We have no leech field... only sprinkler heads that spray the discharge water with a pump.

So we are good until the discharge tank gets full... then big probs. fortunately the pump doesnt require huge amounts of power, just need to get a way to power it that is now fuel dependent.