Composting toilets?

[Versatile]

Originally Posted by dalez

Is it really ok to mix urine into the gray water tank?! Seems to me it would stink worse real quick...

Supposed to be a ok thing. A scent or two will stop any odor.

[Adventure Bus]

Originally Posted by Versatile

Supposed to be a ok thing. A scent or two will stop any odor.

I was pretty skeptical of this at first but I think the ratio of urine to regular water would be pretty low, from all the dish washing and dumping things down the sink.... And let's be honest... We've all peed in the shower before.... Right?...right?... Guys?..

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[Tango]

Pee in the gray water and you need to dump it as black water so you might as well have a black tank.

Don't get caught dumping it anywhere else.

[Adventure Bus]

Originally Posted by Tango

Pee in the gray water and you need to dump it as black water so you might as well have a black tank.

Don't get caught dumping it anywhere else.

I'm hearing conflicting information on that. I've heard several say that urine alone, no poo, is considered gray water. It is sterile after all... Not sure where one would even research that.

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[mikeypj]

Urine is sterile when it leaves your body, after that not so much. So if ya get some pee in the poop part of the composting toilet can't ya just throw some more of the coconut sawdust stuff in to soak it up?



*"The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can.” *

[Adventure Bus]

Originally Posted by mikeypj

Urine is sterile when it leaves your body, after that not so much. So if ya get some pee in the poop part of the composting toilet can't ya just throw some more of the coconut sawdust stuff in to soak it up?



*"The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can.” *

Ya for sure. I don't see why it would be a huge deal if you got some in the compartment made for poop. But u also don't really see a big deal in routing just the urine section to the gray tank. Just a few Google searches and it looks like urine is considered gray water. It's not sewage until it mixes with feces. Then it's a problem.
But still... I have a 10 yr old and 12 yr old without a urinal I can forsee problems if i tell them they have to hit that front 3 inches of the bowl. I see that getting all over the floor. So far I'm leaning towards composting toilet with urine separator running to gray tank and urinal running to gray tank. Won't have to go dump gallons of pee and only take out the compost. That's pending more research on the pee into gray water issue.

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[Deezl Smoke]

Originally Posted by Adventure Bus

I was pretty skeptical of this at first but I think the ratio of urine to regular water would be pretty low, from all the dish washing and dumping things down the sink.... And let's be honest... We've all peed in the shower before.... Right?...right?... Guys?..

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[Oldmopars]

Tango:
Pee in the gray water and you need to dump it as black water so you might as well have a black tank.

Don't get caught dumping it anywhere else.


I don't agree, everything I have researched says that in the grey is A-OK. As pointed out, you pee in the shower, right? You pee on a tree while out hiking or fishing, right? Never peed in a lake while out for a swim?
Urine is not an issue, and anyway, if you have a grey tank, you're going to be at a dump station to dump it anyway. Or, if you want you can dump it on your own property to water the lawn, garden. If you are out in the woods, its not always ok to dump the grey anyway. So, in the end, I see no issues.

[Tango]

Sorry guys..."Sterile" urine is a fallacy.

Turns Out Urine Isn’t Actually Sterile | Smart News | Smithsonian

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urine

https://www.sciencenews.org/blog/gor...ither-rest-you

Confirmed: Urine Is Not Sterile

[Adventure Bus]

Dish water probably isn't sterile either. But is it considered gray water that's the question. And I believe it is. Especially mixed with shower water, dish water and all that. I'd imagine we are talking one part per 100 in your gray tank. Not even noticeable.

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[AlleyCat67]

It may not be sterile but it also doesn't have all the disease-causing bacteria and such that poo has (think E.coli and other such bad apples). Thus it would be safe to dispose of in grey water. The poo is what makes the black tank black. I'd rather deal with the bag of poo than a malfunctioning black tank system.

[Deezl Smoke]

Originally Posted by Adventure Bus

Dish water probably isn't sterile either. But is it considered gray water that's the question. And I believe it is. Especially mixed with shower water, dish water and all that. I'd imagine we are talking one part per 100 in your gray tank. Not even noticeable.

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Yes. So where would the clothes washing machine drain to? The grey tank. So what would go into the grey tank if you were full time and have a baby that you use cloth, washable diapers on?

[rossfree]

Threads do have the tendency of wandering off subject.

If you are worried and choose to route your urine to a black water tank or treat it as hazardous, fine.

If you choose to collect it in a plastic bottle and then flush it down the campsite toilet. Fine.

If you desire to save the planet and conserve our precious fresh water by using a composting toilet. Fine.

The benefits of a composting toilet on a skoolie are several:

1) Little to no use of stored fresh water (no flushing required). If you connect to shore water all the time this benefit is moot.

2) No black water tank. None to mount. None to dump. No line. No fee. No searching. No disgusting hoses to handle and store. No leaking valves to replace. And... someone chime in... it can free up camp sites that restrict vehicles with black water tanks, or so I've heard.

3) Little to no smell (or manageable smell). Properly working compost can smell like fresh dirt. Commercial composting toilets have small vents intended for venting odors and excess humidity.

4) If urine is routed to a grey water tank that most skoolies still require, then it may be dumped as grey water until someone says otherwise. Common sense on where you dump grey water prevales. It's mostly water with a little soap, some food partials and a little urine. This is no more dangerous than washing your car, tossing a sandwich and peeing behind a tree. Still, some may say the aforementioned is dangerous and polluting. Let your conscience be your guide.

The drawbacks of a composting toilet:

1) Handling. If you're queasy about handling poo in any way, this may not be for you. Generally, if the urine is separated the compost will be less offensive, less smelly and less weight. If urine is collected in a side container then that container must also be handled and dumping urine is not without odor. Side containers must be dumped more often and neglect can lead to spills or overflowing. Not fun.

2) Composting material is required. How much depends largely on usage, urine diversion or not, media, time of year, alignment of the planets, etc. Most of us purchase the media such as peat moss, coconut coir or cat litter. Some of us have a source of sawdust and wood chips. Secret formulas abound. Oooooooo! The point is you'll need to carry some with you and make it available for use. That can be a downside when space is at a premium.

3) Not pretty to look at, or, the whole idea of sitting above someone else's business... The commercial varieties can be a little less offensive to look at but, you know. YOU KNOW!!! (sorry, had to put that in there. LOL) Be it a five gallon bucket or a bench seat, it's different, and most of don't really like different at first. We have to try it a few times. And if we don't die, we give time for our opinions to change.

4) If the composting toilet has a urine diverter then standing to pee is out. (Did I hear some women cheering?) If you just HAVE to stand on occasion then you may need to re-think your life. Or add a urinal. Or an rv toilet and a black water tank.

I'm sure I've left stuff out but I think that sums it up.

Regards!

Ross

3)

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by rossfree

Threads do have the tendency of wandering off subject.

If you are worried and choose to route your urine to a black water tank or treat it as hazardous, fine.

If you choose to collect it in a plastic bottle and then flush it down the campsite toilet. Fine.

If you desire to save the planet and conserve our precious fresh water by using a composting toilet. Fine.

The benefits of a composting toilet on a skoolie are several:

1) Little to no use of stored fresh water (no flushing required). If you connect to shore water all the time this benefit is moot.

2) No black water tank. None to mount. None to dump. No line. No fee. No searching. No disgusting hoses to handle and store. No leaking valves to replace. And... someone chime in... it can free up camp sites that restrict vehicles with black water tanks, or so I've heard.

3) Little to no smell (or manageable smell). Properly working compost can smell like fresh dirt. Commercial composting toilets have small vents intended for venting odors and excess humidity.

4) If urine is routed to a grey water tank that most skoolies still require, then it may be dumped as grey water until someone says otherwise. Common sense on where you dump grey water prevales. It's mostly water with a little soap, some food partials and a little urine. This is no more dangerous than washing your car, tossing a sandwich and peeing behind a tree. Still, some may say the aforementioned is dangerous and polluting. Let your conscience be your guide.

The drawbacks of a composting toilet:

1) Handling. If you're queasy about handling poo in any way, this may not be for you. Generally, if the urine is separated the compost will be less offensive, less smelly and less weight. If urine is collected in a side container then that container must also be handled and dumping urine is not without odor. Side containers must be dumped more often and neglect can lead to spills or overflowing. Not fun.

2) Composting material is required. How much depends largely on usage, urine diversion or not, media, time of year, alignment of the planets, etc. Most of us purchase the media such as peat moss, coconut coir or cat litter. Some of us have a source of sawdust and wood chips. Secret formulas abound. Oooooooo! The point is you'll need to carry some with you and make it available for use. That can be a downside when space is at a premium.

3) Not pretty to look at, or, the whole idea of sitting above someone else's business... The commercial varieties can be a little less offensive to look at but, you know. YOU KNOW!!! (sorry, had to put that in there. LOL) Be it a five gallon bucket or a bench seat, it's different, and most of don't really like different at first. We have to try it a few times. And if we don't die, we give time for our opinions to change.

4) If the composting toilet has a urine diverter then standing to pee is out. (Did I hear some women cheering?) If you just HAVE to stand on occasion then you may need to re-think your life. Or add a urinal. Or an rv toilet and a black water tank.

I'm sure I've left stuff out but I think that sums it up.

Regards!

Ross

3)

Great post! Very well put.

I will say that, regarding #1, I saw, touched and wore more poo dealing with my black tank than I do with my composter.

My weekly waste removal chore is sooo much simpler and more pleasant with the composter than with the black tank.

[Deezl Smoke]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

Great post! Very well put.

I will say that, regarding #1, I saw, touched and wore more poo dealing with my black tank than I do with my composter.

My weekly waste removal chore is sooo much simpler and more pleasant with the composter than with the black tank.

[Deezl Smoke]

Originally Posted by rossfree

Threads do have the tendency of wandering off subject.

If you are worried and choose to route your urine to a black water tank or treat it as hazardous, fine.

If you choose to collect it in a plastic bottle and then flush it down the campsite toilet. Fine.

If you desire to save the planet and conserve our precious fresh water by using a composting toilet. Fine.

The benefits of a composting toilet on a skoolie are several:

1) Little to no use of stored fresh water (no flushing required). If you connect to shore water all the time this benefit is moot.

2) No black water tank. None to mount. None to dump. No line. No fee. No searching. No disgusting hoses to handle and store. No leaking valves to replace. And... someone chime in... it can free up camp sites that restrict vehicles with black water tanks, or so I've heard.

3) Little to no smell (or manageable smell). Properly working compost can smell like fresh dirt. Commercial composting toilets have small vents intended for venting odors and excess humidity.

4) If urine is routed to a grey water tank that most skoolies still require, then it may be dumped as grey water until someone says otherwise. Common sense on where you dump grey water prevales. It's mostly water with a little soap, some food partials and a little urine. This is no more dangerous than washing your car, tossing a sandwich and peeing behind a tree. Still, some may say the aforementioned is dangerous and polluting. Let your conscience be your guide.

The drawbacks of a composting toilet:

1) Handling. If you're queasy about handling poo in any way, this may not be for you. Generally, if the urine is separated the compost will be less offensive, less smelly and less weight. If urine is collected in a side container then that container must also be handled and dumping urine is not without odor. Side containers must be dumped more often and neglect can lead to spills or overflowing. Not fun.

2) Composting material is required. How much depends largely on usage, urine diversion or not, media, time of year, alignment of the planets, etc. Most of us purchase the media such as peat moss, coconut coir or cat litter. Some of us have a source of sawdust and wood chips. Secret formulas abound. Oooooooo! The point is you'll need to carry some with you and make it available for use. That can be a downside when space is at a premium.

3) Not pretty to look at, or, the whole idea of sitting above someone else's business... The commercial varieties can be a little less offensive to look at but, you know. YOU KNOW!!! (sorry, had to put that in there. LOL) Be it a five gallon bucket or a bench seat, it's different, and most of don't really like different at first. We have to try it a few times. And if we don't die, we give time for our opinions to change.

4) If the composting toilet has a urine diverter then standing to pee is out. (Did I hear some women cheering?) If you just HAVE to stand on occasion then you may need to re-think your life. Or add a urinal. Or an rv toilet and a black water tank.

I'm sure I've left stuff out but I think that sums it up.

Regards!

Ross

3)

Reply of the year.

[Versatile]

Why not dump something down the drain that will take care of the bad stuff.

[Adventure Bus]

Bravo Ross, bravo. I think I'm sold on a composting toilet.
I'll either buy a nice one or make one that has all the bells and whistles. And if my plan allows im gonna put a urinal in. We'll see how tight things get.

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[Stu & Filo. T]

Originally Posted by Adventure Bus

Dish water probably isn't sterile either. But is it considered gray water that's the question. And I believe it is. Especially mixed with shower water, dish water and all that. I'd imagine we are talking one part per 100 in your gray tank. Not even noticeable.

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Just my 2c, I heard quite a few time after a major disaster like earthquakes where people have been buried for days under rubble that the people survived by drinking their own urine.Also I know it goes thru some process but astronauts consume their urine also. Now I'm not suggesting you collect & drink it.

[Adventure Bus]

Originally Posted by Stu & Filo. T

Just my 2c, I heard quite a few time after a major disaster like earthquakes where people have been buried for days under rubble that the people survived by drinking their own urine.Also I know it goes thru some process but astronauts consume their urine also. Now I'm not suggesting you collect & drink it.

Haha. Ya. I don't think anyone (at least not anyone in their right mind) is talking of having the urine diverted back to the fresh water tank [emoji38].

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