Welcome to Composting Guide
Composting Article
. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for further reading, click here.
Flush Down Your Waste With A Composting Toilet
from:You may have heard of the importance of composting your household waste, but have did you ever think that some are taking it a step further by using a composting toilet? This may be newer thinking for some countries but many areas use this as a regular practice and it may find its way to your home.
What Is This All About?
What is a composting toilet? Well, it would be any system that can convert human waste into organic compost that would be usable in soil. This occurs through a natural breakdown of organic matter into its essential minerals. Micro-organisms and macro-organisms do this over time through various stages of oxidation and localized pockets of aerobic breakdown.
Can This Be A Safe?
Even human waste can break down to compost, eventually, but is it safe to use a composting toilet? Well here are some concerns that may require further study:
• Coming into contact with human waste that has not been composted properly or is composted incompletely may be dangerous. Bacteria other disease carrying pathogens may be present.
• Human fertilizer should not be used for food crops, but may be okay around non fruit-bearing trees and shrubs. This fertilizer should only be used when it is completely composted. However, there are different schools of thought on how much time is truly needed.
• While composting, human waste can reach temperatures of 104-122 degrees Fahrenheit (40-50c). In some situations, the compost will need to be pasteurized and sterilized before use.
A few other interesting facts to examine are:
• Why many developed countries would not be comfortable with the this idea because of some of the concerns, it is a known fact that when the process is done correctly, then it does not pose any more risk then the waste removal systems already in place. Education would be the most effective way to convince people of the benefits of a composting toilet.
• Many areas may not allow a composting toilet without a septic field. The gray water would still need a place to be treated, however many reputable manufacturers of composting toilets would be able to help navigate the regulation concerns.
• A properly designed composting toilet system that does not require water would completely reduce the waste to a mere 1-2%, in about 4-6 years; with a variety of processes involving bacteria, fungi, worms, and other micro and macro-organisms.
• The amount of electricity needed may outweigh the benefits of a composting toilet. However, if a community is in an arid climate then water conservation would be the main concern while a community that has limited electricity capabilities may not think that a composting toilet would be a good idea.
A compost toilet system is not a new idea. Historically there are designs from the 1800's. There has always been a need to find a proper way to dispose of human waste and maybe the technology of a composting toilet is not a bad idea.
Related Articles for Composting
Composting Specific links
Composting News
Residents living near composting plant frustrated at 'no show'
FRUSTRATED residents living near a foul-smelling composting plant were left with their questions unanswered after local leaders and environment experts failed to turn up at their meeting.
Read more...Curbside composting workshop Thursday
The town of Tiburon and the city of Belvedere will host a curbside composting workshop from 7 to 9 p.
Read more...Free Composting Classes Offered Across the County
Photo by normanack via Flickr It is estimated that composting can decrease your contribution to landfills by 25%-30%. From Malibu to San Dimas, LA’s Dept. of Water and Power has free weekend composting workshops countywide to help residents set up a simple household system. This is also where you can purchase a compost bin at a huge discount for $40 (a similar model at a gardening center goes ...
Read more...BRIEFLY COMMUNITY
Free composting workshops offered Four free, hands-on workshops will cover the basics of composting, including which materials to use, various methods and types of compost bins available. Preregistration is not required. The workshops will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday and Oct. 9 at the River House …
Read more...Is Hampton farm operation legal composting or illegal recycling?
HamptonHAMPTON — The owner of farmland-assessed property on Dutch Hill Road could face legal action over what county Health Department officials say may be an illegal recycling operation. But Howard Daniels, owner of the 12-acre property that borders Lebanon Township,...
Read more...