| Have you heard of composting toilets and/or | | | | piles, which could range in size from four to eight |
| sawdust toilets, but aren't really sure what the | | | | feet in diameter. The piles would be caged in with |
| difference is? In this article, we'll explain the pros | | | | chicken wire or a similar material to keep animals and |
| and cons of each type of wastewater system, so | | | | pests out. When one pile becomes full, it must be |
| you can determine which would best meet your | | | | left to sit, undisturbed, for at least one to two years |
| needs. Anyone who's done a little research on the | | | | before the composting process is complete and the |
| topic of composting toilets has undoubtedly stumbled | | | | finished compost can be safely used. For a family |
| across information about sawdust toilets, sometimes | | | | living on a farm or acreage, the land requirement |
| also referred to as homemade composting toilets. | | | | would not be a problem. But for an urban or |
| In this article, we'll make some important | | | | suburban family, such a use of outdoor space would |
| differentiations between the two, as well as address | | | | be totally impossible. |
| some basic pros and cons of each system. | | | | True composting toilets, on the other hand, are |
| First and foremost, it's important to understand that | | | | commercially manufactured systems designed to hold |
| a true compost toilet is a system where active | | | | and actively compost all waste inside the unit itself. |
| composting is actually taking place inside the toilet | | | | No carrying or transporting of waste is required, and |
| itself. Sawdust toilets cannot be accurately called | | | | in most modern systems, the homeowner never |
| compost toilets because no composting takes place | | | | even has to come into contact with waste, which is |
| inside them. Rather, they are simply a holding | | | | a real boon to the acceptance of such systems. |
| chamber for waste, until it can be transported to | | | | The fact that all waste is dealt with right there inside |
| another location and dealt with. | | | | the toilet makes these systems much more feasible |
| Now we'll discuss the pros and cons of each system, | | | | for homeowners in urban areas and for those |
| beginning with the sawdust toilet. By far, the | | | | persons who are unable or unwilling to transport and |
| biggest pro for a sawdust system is the cost. They | | | | empty buckets of waste. |
| are incredibly cheap and easy to start up and begin | | | | The downside to a composting toilet system is the |
| using. Very little is required in the way of materials: | | | | cost. A professional system that has been tested |
| a five gallon bucket, a toilet seat that will fit on top | | | | and certified to operate cleanly and without odor will |
| of the bucket, and plenty of sawdust or peat moss. | | | | probably cost around $1,200 to $1,500. For many |
| The primary disadvantages of the sawdust toilet | | | | families, such an outlay of money is not feasible. |
| system are the amount of work required and the | | | | However, when compared to the expense of |
| feasibility of long-term use. First, sawdust toilets | | | | replacing an old septic system or installing a new one, |
| must be emptied, which means that someone must | | | | it's easy to see that the cost isn't really that high, |
| manually carry heavy buckets of waste to some | | | | especially when you consider that the average |
| outdoor location where they'll be dumped. Then | | | | expected life of a composting toilet is around 20 |
| there is the obviously unpleasant job of emptying the | | | | years. |
| buckets and rinsing them out for reuse. It's quite | | | | In short, there are several main differences between |
| possible for a family of four to fill as many as three | | | | compost and sawdust toilet systems. The one |
| to four buckets per week, which is a lot of carrying | | | | that's right for a given application depends on the |
| and transporting for the members of the family. | | | | situation, location, and the users' needs and abilities. |
| Furthermore, to make the use of a sawdust toilet | | | | With some basic knowledge about both types of |
| feasible, you must live in a location where you have | | | | systems, it should be easy to choose the type of |
| enough outdoor space to deal with the waste. | | | | toilet that makes sense for you. |
| Typically, you would set up two or three very large | | | | |