From: dias (dias_at_ice.clas.kitasato-u.ac.jp)
Date: 04/17/01
Message-id: <fc.000f652a0013fbd03b9aca000b4e9b4d.13fbd7@ice.clas.kitasato-u.ac.jp> Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2001 17:42:24 +0900 Subject: composting toilet feedback From: dias_at_ice.clas.kitasato-u.ac.jp (dias)
Thanks very much for the testimonials for composting toilets.
It's just the ammunition (excuse the militaristic imagery) I need
to help convince my wife. The suggestion of asking for an instruction
pamphlet from the manufacturer is a good one that I hadn't thought of.
It's useful to know the care and feeding of these beasts before purchase.
The model I'm now looking at has a collection tray that, although not
extremely big, only needs to be emptied every two months or so.
So at least that end of things doesn't seem to require excessive and
heroic effort. Bob, I appreciate your 5 gallon pail suggestion but I
don't think my neighbors, who live in _very_ close proximity [This
IS Japan after all.] would appreciate it. If I lived on an acre of land
in Colorado, say, I'd give it a shot. Thanks everyone.
Joseph
Received from The Millers
I was doing work for a garage, a tire place with several mechanics.
The
place had a composting toilet because the land couldn't handle water.
Toilets at garages are at their worst usually. This one had no offensive
odor, and they didn't even have kitchen scraps to help it out. They threw
in
peat moss now and then.
The suggestion about the 5 gallon bucket probably didn't go over very
well with your wife I imagine.
If it has a built in heater keep it plugged in, but that's another
story.
Received from NEILLCO_at_aol.com
Compost toilets have been used to great effect in the parks near Pomme De
Terre Lake in Southern Missouri for at least ten years. I asked a ranger
about them and he said they worked fine. My father purchased one but
found
that it required more maintenance than he was capable of, since he has
emphysema from cigarette smoking. I recommend requesting an instruction
booklet from a manufacturer of the model I was interested in, so you
could
get aquainted with what was required in taking care of it. There is a bit
of
care involved but requires no plumbing whatsoever. Real Goods carries
several
models plus a book on the subject;
http://www.realgoods.com/shop/search.cfm
Received from Bob
I suggest simply buying a 5 gallon plastic pail with a lid. These
are the same plastic 5 gallon pails used for paint or even pickles at
your
local sushi deli. Cut a hole in the lid and screw on a conventional
toilet
seat. Put some saw dust in the bottom of the bucket and have a second 5
gallon pale nearby with more sawdust. Instead of paying $1000 for a
fancier
model with a hand crank, you might want to try this instead for a couple
of
weeks. Make sure you have a compost pile for the final product.
Bob