Continuous Composting Toilets
Continuous composting toilets are single container toilets that decompose waste as it moves slowly through the container. Finished compost is removed periodically from the end-product chamber.
This design is appealing as these types of toilets don’t require regular interaction with the waste, which is important in a community unfamiliar with composting their waste. However, there are significant drawbacks. The design is complex and requires materials that are not readily available in the region near the Sunzu village. If the setup requires maintenance, it is hard to service the system. It is limited in its capacity to store waste, and also might allow harmful pathogens to mix into fully composted waste. With these challenges in mind, we consider other options to best fit the needs of the people. |
Batch Composting Toilets
Batch composting toilets contain two or more containers that are alternated so that the waste has time to sit, undisturbed for long enough to become compost. Waste is composted in separate batches, and some designs don’t require someone to empty each batch into a compost pile.
Though they require more interaction with the waste, they have the benefit of removing the possibility of new waste contaminating finished compost. However, like the continuous system, they require larger-scale construction and maintenance than is feasible for the purposes of this project. |
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Bucket Toilets
Bucket toilets are the simplest and most versatile of the composting toilets. Waste is collected in a bucket and, once the bucket is full, it is added to a separate compost pile. Urine can either be diverted from the waste, or added to the pile, though it is safer to divert the urine so it doesn't become contaminated and flow outside of the compost pile.
This design is highly ideal, as it is simple and easy to adapt to the specific needs of the community. The compost pile is separate from the toilet, and thus can be placed wherever is best in order to prevent contaminating rainwater. The buckets can also be scaled in number and size depending on the number of users. Typical bucket toilets look like the above image on the left, and are scaled for single-household use. They must be removed and emptied frequently. Buckets can be capped and set aside for a few days, but about once a week someone must empty them into the compost pile. Thus, this design requires an active and dedicated person or group of people to maintain the system. This fact initially steered us away from the design, as we were unsure if there were people in the community willing to put in that work. However, our contacts in the Sunzu community are motivated to pursue this project, and tell us that there are members of the community who will maintain the system after they are gone. Knowing this, we recommend a large-scale bucket toilet system in order to compost waste from the Sunzu Yacu community center. |
Click below for more information about composting.