A composting toilet is a type of dry toilet that treats human waste by a biological process called composting. This process leads to the decomposition of organic matter and turns human waste into compost-like material. Composting is carried out by microorganisms (mainly bacteria and fungi) under controlled aerobic conditions. Most composting toilets use no water for flushing and are therefore called "dry toilets". Composting toilets aim to have a certain degree of moisture in the composting chamber. Composting toilets can be used to implement an ecological sanitation approach for resource recovery, and some people call their composting toilet designs "ecosan toilets" for that reason.
Composting toilets separate solids and liquids into two different containers, which is key to reducing odor and making waste disposal easier. This process doesnt require water or chemicals, making it a sustainable alternative to traditional toilets. That is also why a composting toilet is known as a "separating toilet". Depending on the model, you will need to stir the compost or cover it up with another sawdust layer. Composting toilets, together with the secondary composting step, produce a humus-like end product that can be used to enrich soil if local regulations allow this.
Some composting toilets have urine diversion systems in the toilet bowl to collect the urine separately and control excess moisture. Alternatives with smaller composting chambers are called "self-contained composting toilets" since the composting chamber is part of the toilet unit itself. Composting toilets can be suitable in areas such as a rural area or a park that lacks a suitable water supply or sewage system.
In summary, a composting toilet is a type of toilet that uses a biological process called composting to treat human waste and turn it into compost-like material. It is a sustainable alternative to traditional toilets and can be used in areas that lack a suitable water supply or sewage system.
