Living with a composting toilet successfully at the bach

Wouldn't you love to have a yarn like this?

Mike, the Bach Enthusiast

"We’ve got this little bach up by the sea—nothing fancy, just a cozy spot to escape the city. It’s our slice of paradise, surrounded by bush and quiet. Since it’s off-grid, we didn’t want the hassle of a septic system, so we got a composting toilet. Best move ever! It’s simple, looks like a regular toilet, and doesn’t smell at all—there’s a little vent that takes care of that. We only need to empty it once or twice a season, and we just bury the compost on the land. It’s no messier than cleaning the barbecue, honestly. Having that toilet means we can keep the bach low-impact, which feels right for a place like this. It’s just us, the bush, and the birds—no stress, no bills. You should come up sometime and see it!"

Why Compost at the Bach?

When you're at the bach, away from the city grid, a composting toilet is the perfect fit. It’s mess-free, splash-free, and allows you to conserve water while maintaining an odour-free, easy-to-maintain setup. Whether you're on the beach or in the countryside, composting toilets make it easy to enjoy your time off-grid with minimal environmental impact.

What you need to know!

Composting toilets work differently from traditional septic or blackwater systems but still provide the same comfort as conventional toilets. They require minimal maintenance, depending on the model, and keeping them hygienic is no harder than scrubbing your usual toilet. Composting toilets offer a modern, safe alternative—something you'll soon realise you can't live without at your bach.

Key considerations before installing a composting toilet at your bach:

• Ventilation: Composting toilets need to be vented to ensure odourless operation. Make sure to position the vent outlet where airflow is optimal, just like with a septic vent.
• Capacity: Capacity varies based on household size and visit frequency, so plan accordingly for your needs.
• System Types: The right composting system depends on how frequently you use the bach. For personalized advice, get in touch with us: 0800 022 027.
• Where to Get Your Compost Media (System Bulking Agent & Treatments): We take care of our customers by providing the ideal bulking agent and treatments to keep your compost system functioning well. However, if you're at the bach and away from delivery services, we make it easy to understand what type of compost media works best. You'll know in advance what to stock, and because media is compact, it’s simple to store a supply at your bach for long-term use.

What to do with your composted materials (the end product)

There are several ways to manage and dispose of compost at your bach, depending on your location and setup.

If you have access to land:

✓ You can remove the compost and either add it to a dedicated compost bin or bury it directly into the ground, following local guidelines on humanure composting.

✓ It is also possible to dispose of the composted material in your regular trash, but we recommend this as a last-resort option when other disposal methods aren’t available.

If you are in a more remote location:

✓ Consider having extra composting chambers or storage to avoid frequent disposal trips. Materials can be safely buried on-site, away from water sources and flood zones.

✓ Compost can be stored until you're ready to dispose of it or use it as a nutrient-rich addition to your home garden.

Sustainable results!

By composting at your bach, you’re giving back to the environment—speeding up the natural recycling of waste and conserving precious water resources. It’s a small change that contributes to the sustainability of your off-grid lifestyle, ensuring that your bach life is eco-friendly and future-proof.

See the range today | Bach Composting Toilets

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