Loveable Loo Compost Toilet
Human waste is collected in a bucket. After use, you simply cover the waste with a saw dust, coco coir, or peat moss and you shouldnt have any odor. Once the bucket is full, you empty it in a composting bin. Done.
The Loveable Loo is the brain child of Joseph Jenkins, who wrote the book on the Humanure Composting Toilet System.
See more detail about this simple off-grid compost toilet here.
How Long Does It Take Toilet Paper To Decompose
It might not be as quick and efficient as you think, think how often septic systems get blocked up due to toilet tissue.
In most cases, it can take as little as one month, perfect, right?
Well, in the wrong conditions it could take anywhere in between one and three years for it to fully decompose. Its crazy to think little sheets of paper could take that long to decompose.
But, as I said, it all depends on varying factors:
- The thickness of the tissue
- How much water is available
- The weather conditions its exposed to
Although all toilet paper decomposes, eventually, there is a more pressing question we need to answer:
What Are The Best Brands For Biodegradable Toilet Paper
Generally, the best biodegradable toilet paper brands will be the ones that can replicate the features that make traditional toilet paper so successful.
The three biggest factors are:
Everybody wants to wipe their sensitive areas with something soft and expects their toilet paper to not break when its being used. And its expected that toilet paper should have decent absorbency as well for those liquid messes.
If thats what you are looking for, then we recommend checking out Silkn Soft Bamboo Toilet Paper. Their brand is one of the best eco-friendly brands for feeling like traditional toilet paper.
Of course, there are different priorities for different people.
For the RV people who really need septic-safe material, you cant go wrong with Firebelly Outfitters RV Toilet Paper. This material is specifically designed to break down in an RV septic tank without compromising on quality.
If you dont mind sacrificing on softness, Green Forest Premium 100% Recycled Bathroom Tissue is a fantastic option. Its rough, but its one of the best ways to support good eco-friendly practices.
As for you campers, Coleman Campers Toilet Paper is a solid pick. This toilet paper will ensure that your messes dont leave a negative impact on the environment. Its designed to break down in nature, so you can go on the go.
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Can I Use Normal Toilet Paper In A Portable Toilet
It is critical to use the right toilet paper in portable toilets as if you use standard toilet paper.
You risk it not breaking down quick enough, creating a blockage, and stopping your toilet from working properly .
I have read some comments that you can get away with standard toilet paper in a portable toilet if you counteract it with some additional chemicals, but I would rather minimize the use of chemicals by buying dissolvable toilet paper.
Use The Toilets Trap Door Correctly
If youre just going pee, youll need to close the trap door to the poop bin so liquids dont get in there. If pee comingles with poop it can create a foul odor.
Composting toilets are set up to divert your urine into the liquids container. Its recommended you sit to pee, whether youre a man or woman. This reduces splatter all over the toilet.
When its time to go #2, youll open the trap door and it funnels your waste to the solids bin.
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What Effect Is Toilet Paper Having On Our In Environment
The use of toilet paper is harming our planet, but most people tend not to think about it. At the very most, it may have crossed your mind.
I mentioned early that the average American uses around one hundred rolls per year if you times that with how many people there is in the US, thats a lot of toilet roll!
And if we remember what its made from, then thats a lot of trees being cut down!
We are already facing deforestation problems. And with the National Geographic claiming almost27,000 trees are flushed down the toilet every day, it doesnt seem to be getting better.
The worst part is:
Most of the wood used to create toilet paper istaken from virgin forests to create fresh soft pulp. Which, is then turned in to paper after being pumped with chemicals.
The chemicals that are used to make toilet paper is then left to rot in our septic tank or makes a way to a water treatment center.
You might think that water treatment centers can remove all the chemicals, but that isnt the case.
Compost Toilets For Campsites
May 09, 202210 min read
Composting toilets are fantastic solutions for those who like to camp in the places found on the road less traveled. They are perfect for the tiny houses and the off-grid cabins. They are wonderful for those who live in places where water is scarce or for those who just want to be less wasteful of our planets finite resources, one of which is water.
One of the most commonly overlooked and under-appreciated issues that come with camping in situations, such as tent camping, is that you have nowhere to legally or ethically dump your raw sewage. For those who are participating in glamping, its far from the experience theyre looking for.
Human waste, in raw form, isnt safe and is considered a biohazard. Dumping it on the ground can lead to groundwater contamination and it can also lead to you getting a pretty hefty fine.
There are better ways to handle your toileting needs and conserve your water supply. Lets help you get your sh*t straight!
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How Do We Become More Eco
As a customer, you need to stay united using an item that can biodegrade, might seem like it doesnt make a difference, but it does.
Any item that we can reuse or lowers the environmental impact we as humans have created is a great thing and must be continued.
Now, you might be thinking, why dont we use recycled paper to make toilet rolls?
And its a great question but, unfortunately, the customer speaks loader than the environmental effects do.
The recycled paper isnt soft enough for consumers making recycled toilet roll less desirable.
Best Subscription: Who Gives A Crap 100% Recycled Toilet Paper
Who Gives A Crap
Subscription services are wonderful because they free your mind up for other things and you should literally never run out. Who Gives a Crap uses a chlorine-free bleaching process that’s void of inks and dyes and all of their packaging is plastic-free and recyclable. Our at-home tester reported being happy with both the delivery service and the paper itself.
This 100% recycled bath tissue is made from 95% post-consumer recycled paper. The non-profit Natural Resources Defense Council grades toilet tissues, and this one earned an A+. The price is comparable, if not slightly cheaper, than other bamboo and recycled papers. The company offers a money-back guarantee so you can try it worry-free. They also sell a bamboo option.
The company is a a Certified B Corporation, but perhaps the best part is that they donate a whopping 50% of their profits to build toilets in communities in need. Thats added up to over $5.7 million to provide sanitation to those in need around the world.
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Best Camping Toilet Bags
In the 21st century, one of the greatest drawbacks of technological innovation is human beings getting disconnected from nature.
It is a very common case that people tend to feel suffocated and under pressure after living for too many days in urban areas.
Therefore, many of them prefer to camp as a means to reconnect with nature.
However, one of the biggest problems of camping outdoors is attending natures call. You need to have one of the best camping toilet bags to take care of this issue. It will grant you a great deal of comfort, and you can fully enjoy the serenity of living in a forest or nature park.
Any Care And Maintenance Tips
You should avoid throwing toilet paper into the toilets waste reservoir. This action will ensure the composting toilet lasts much longer between dumps. After all, toilet paper tends to fill up your tank quickly, which causes dumps to happen at a more rapid rate. Many RVers find it more useful to use a separate container to place their toilet paper.
We also suggest keeping a spray bottle filled with a mix of vinegar and water near your composting toilet. You can spritz this mixture inside your toilet after its use. The mixture will help keep your bathroom smelling clean and fresh. You see, vinegar happens to be a natural sanitizer and dissipates smells quickly.
Some RVers have found that adding a drop of essential oils could help as well. It really comes down to preference, but this tip does help.
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Best Bamboo + Best Overall Runner
Another quality bamboo bath tissue, Cloud Paper sells direct-to-consumer toilet paper that’s entirely free of plastic packaging and sourced from FSC-certified bamboo producers. This soft three-ply toilet paper is septic-safe and free of chlorine, BPA, pesticides, scents, and dyes. Our at-home testers like that the tightly-wound rolls last longer than other brands.
All of the packaging is recyclable or compostable paper, and you can also sign up for a subscription if you don’t want to worry about running out. Shipping is free, and the company offsets the planet-heating emissions associated with transportation by purchasing carbon credits through The CarbonFund. These offsets support reforestation and forest preservation initiatives.
Cloud Paper has also donated over 140,000 rolls of TP to homeless shelters since the onset of the pandemic, and also offers tree-free paper towels.
Airhead Vs Natures Head Composting Toilets
AirHead and Natures Head are the two main contenders on the block for the best composting toilet. Cuddy might soon be a top contender, but since its a new product, it doesnt have as many ratings or reviews out there.
Keep in mind that both Airhead and Natures Head get great reviews online and in forums. Youll just have to decide which composting toilet is right for your van.
Here are the differences when looking at Airhead vs Natures Head:
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What Is A Composting Toilet Anyway
Now with all those poop jokes out of the way the main idea behind composting portable toilets is to be able to compost human waste without using water.
So, instead of flushing, composting toilets work by separating liquid waste from solid waste and mixing the solid waste with some type of compostable material using a hand crank. Then the solid waste will decompose inside of the toilet. The toilet also has a fan that helps dry out the waste and keeps the toilet from smelling .
What Is A Composting Toilet
A self contained composting toilet is designed to transform human waste as well as toilet paper into compost. This is an environmentally-friendly solution to the portable toilet issue. These models are designed to be especially compact and can be used when camping and in numerous outdoor locations.
This type of portable toilet does not use water to complete the composting process. However, some models require electricity. Therefore, it is important to consider if you will have access to electricity in your chosen location.
The best composting toilet will separate liquid and solid waste into different containers. The solid human waste that is produced is mixed with microbes as well as peat moss. It can then be stored for several months, if necessary, without any unpleasant odors.
Depending on the capacity of your composting toilet, it should serve you for a long time. This is especially convenient if you are working on a building site. There will be no need to constantly have to empty the solid waste compartment.
However, it is likely to be necessary to empty the liquid container much more frequently. This is designed to be very easy to achieve due to the overall design. Simply unclip the container, slide it out, and carry it away to be emptied using the dedicated carrying handle.
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What Is An Rv Composting Toilet
An RV composting toilet operates like a regular toilet would, but doesnt use any water at all. As a result, these devices dont require any plumbing. It sounds like a useful thing to have a rig, doesnt it?
We should also note that composting toilets are entirely organic, natural, and doesnt need flushing or chemicals. In other words, these toilets are similar to a small ecosystem that separates the solids from the liquids.
These toilets will then use elements to break down the waste into compost, which is called humus. You can use this humus like fertilizer, throw it away, or bury it based on your states regulations and rules.
Given this info, a composting toilet has become a handy device to bring on an RVing trip. It gets rid of human waste without using your rigs limited water supply. I cant think of anything better that a toilet could offer to a rig owner.
Pros And Cons Of Portable Composting Toilets For Rvs And Camper Vans
Every decision you make about your van camper or RV is going to have a huge pros and cons list and not every new and trendy RV amenity is going to suit your needs best.
Portable composting toilets in particular just arent right for everyonetheyre expensive, and youre going to have to be face-to-face with youre own solid and liquid waste pretty regularly.
Pros
- Have to empty regularly
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Wholeroll Organic Bamboo Toilet Paper
Thickness: 3-ply
Sheet per roll: 200
Price: $28.99
Another bamboo toilet paper choice, the Wholeroll Organic Bamboo toilet paper, is packed into a compact roll that’s easy to stash in your toilet kit. Like most bamboo toilet paper, the Wholeroll Organic squares are made without any harsh chemicals. Soft and safe for delicate skin, the Wholeroll bamboo toilet paper is 3-ply strong for your backcountry wiping needs.
Best Overall: Betterway Bamboo Toilet Paper
Courtesy of Amazon
Thankfully, there are a number of 100% bamboo toilet papers available on the market. Betterway won the best overall spot because among its competitors, Betterway was the softest tree-free brand while also being the most absorbent and longest lasting in our at-home testing. Its hypoallergenic and gentle on sensitive skin. That may be because its chlorine-, BPA-, ink-, scent- and dye-free.
Betterway sources Forest Stewardship Council Certified bamboo pulp from small, family-owned farms that’s hand-harvested from panda-free zones. The bamboo is grown organically, and the company is working on getting an organic certification. Betterway is among the more affordable bamboo toilet papers, and offers free climate-neutral shipping.
Betterway has committed to plastic-free recycled and recyclable packaging and cores all the way down to the tape on the box. The company says that 12 rolls of their 360-sheet 3-ply septic-safe bath tissue is equivalent to about 20 regular rolls because you need less of it to do the job.
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Things To Consider When Buying An Rv Composting Toilet
Choosing the right RV composting toilet will come to a variety of factors. This section will walk you through all of them to ensure you make the right decision. Itll end up being the foundation for your entire search.
Durability
One of the most crucial aspects of your search will be each options durability. Youre going to want a device capable of lasting more than a few years. The main components responsible for making up a composting toilets durability is its material and brand.
In most cases, composting toilets will be partially made from plastic and vitreous china. Youll want to avoid getting these when possible because these materials are vulnerable. Its best to spend a little extra for a product with a sturdier design.
A great way to examine each products durability is by reading each products buyer reviews. These resources should include a large amount of info about how well every toilet held up and whether the customer felt it was worth their investment.
Storage Tank Capacity
The cost of these toilets will vary depending on their size. Due to this, a person traveling alone should look for an option with a small storage tank. This action will keep the price more manageable and keep you from paying for something not needed.
An RV composting toilet decomposing rate will come down to whether you choose a non-electric or electric option. Electric options will offer a faster breakdown rate because it uses electricity to power the process.
Weight
Ease of Cleaning
What Is The Toilet Paper For Composting Toilet
Sorry if youre perplexed. I know its not an easy choice! But its one of the most crucial choices youll ever make. If youre still unsure which type of toilet paper for composting toilet is best for you, I recommend comparing the characteristics and functionalities of the toilet paper for composting toilet listed above. Each has advantages and disadvantages.
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Is Toilet Paper Compostable
Yes, toilet paper is compostable. This is because the virgin wood fibers can be broken down from both environmental factors as well as microorganisms, which is what a compost unit excels at doing.
Thats why composting toilets exist: for the sole purpose of making compost out of used toilet paper. However, these toilets arent very good at actually making compost. Instead, they are better for starting the composting process and then transferring the material into another compost unit.
What about a regular compost bin? Well, toilet paper will still break down in them, but its only recommended to do so if said toilet paper has not been used to wipe up poop.
This is because harmful pathogens can be present in the poop and can grow in numbers when exposed to composting conditions, compromising the entire batch.
Toilet paper thats been used to wipe up anything that isnt compostable will also be impossible to compost, so always be aware.