Compost toilets have been used for millennia as a very efficient way of creating a resource from a waste product, without energy or water consumption. The average family toilet uses 100,000 litres of water every year, which must be taken away, treated and purchased again: a costly and environmentally unsound cycle. Compost toilets require no water whatsoever (except for cleaning), and after a year you have safe manure for free! Compost toilets are therefore ideal in drought-prone areas, or places without access to sewage networks. They are becoming increasingly popular in homes, offices, schools and public places: it is estimated that there are now 45,000 compost toilets worldwide, saving 2.6 billion gallons of water every year. Given that in industrialised countries a flush toilet accounts for over 25% of all domestic water use the potential for saving is enormous!

Whilst all compost toilets share certain principles, there are many different designs and techniques available: from a hole in the ground to state of the art five-star facilities! Our toilets separate the liquids and solids and store them in different containers. The reason for this is that if the compost pile is too wet then conditions become 'anaerobic'. This means that there is not enough air for bacteria and bugs to do their work and break down the waste. To help keep the compost aerated and odour-free wood chip is added. The toilet seats are kept down when not in use; this means that smells and moisture go up the chimney rather than into the toilets. You may notice that the rubber pads on the seats have been removed to create a better seal. As the moisture is released the amount of waste decreases: typically after 6 months you are left with around 10-20% of the original volume. Our toilets have been designed so that the tank can be removed relatively easily, so when it is full we shall leave it to fully compost and put a new one in. After 6 months to a year the compost is ready to use for trees and hedging.