Boating Life With Composting Toilets

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

Tom, the Weekend Sailor

"Man, nothing beats life on the water, you know? We’ve got this little sailboat, and every weekend, me and the family are out exploring the coast. It’s freedom, pure and simple. Thing is, we used to stress about the old holding tank—pumping it out was such a chore. Then we switched to a composting toilet, and it’s been a game-changer. It’s super compact, no water needed, and—get this—no smells! We just pop in some compost media, and it’s good to go. When we’re docked, we empty the compost into a bin at home for the garden. Out at sea, we store it in a little locker until we’re back. It’s so easy, and it feels good knowing we’re not dumping chemicals into the ocean. The kids even think it’s cool, like we’re eco-pirates. Boating’s always been my happy place, but this toilet makes it sustainable, too!"

Why Composting Toilets?

It's none of the mess, none of the splashes. Composting toilets allow for water savings, no odour, and easy maintenance onboard any type of vessel.

What you need to know!

Composting systems work a little bit differently from conventional wastewater holding tanks but still give you all the comfort of a conventional toilet. Composting toilet systems do have some basic maintenance depending on the model, but this maintenance is as hygienic and as safe as scrubbing a typical toilet bowl. Don't worry—it's a modern, safe alternative that you will find you can't live without.

A few important notes to be aware of before you get your composting toilet system:

• All composting toilets are vented for odourless use, but the vent outlet will need to be positioned at a good location on the vessel, just as you would with a holding tank vent—it's the same principle.
• There can be a limited capacity, so long-term storage of the composted material might need to be considered, such as a locker next to the toilet.
• The type of composting toilet system you need might depend on what you are doing with your vessel. It is best to talk with us about your options 0800 022 027.

Where to get your compost media (system bulking agent & treatments)

We take pride in supporting our customers' needs with the right type of media to feed the compost. When you're travelling, you may not be able to get our product delivered to you, so we make it very clear what the system's ideal media type is and the best media mix upfront so you can source what you need anywhere in the world. It's interesting to note that most media is very compact, so stocking up your storage locker is no big deal.

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

There are many ways to use or dispose of the composted materials, and your living or travelling situation will give you a range of options.

• If you are at a dock:
  ✓ You can remove the compost and take it home or to a willing friend or family member's property to add into a standard composting bin or bury in-ground as defined by the AUS/NZ waterless composting toilets standards.
  ✓ You can legally dispose of the compost in the trash, but WCTNZ® does not encourage this except in needs-must scenarios.
• If you are coastal travelling:
  ✓ You should have additional composting chambers on board to allow for zero discharge in coastal waters and increase your storage capacity. Once you come to land, this material can be buried on land in a safe manner away from waterways and flood areas.
  ✓ You can keep all your compost on board until you find a suitable time to remove and dispose of it via dump stations, homes, or friends' or family's property.
• If you are on the high seas (international waters):
  ✓ The same rules apply here as with a holding tank (you can dump overboard), but compost is safer for the environment. It's best to dump compost when the vessel is in motion.
  ✓ Composting toilet systems can have a surprisingly long-term holding capacity, so if you think of your compost as a resource and you're on a short trip, why not just keep it on board to be composted on the property later?

Sustainable results!

Yes, that's right! By composting your waste, you are speeding up the renewal process of returning your waste safely back into the environment and closing the environmental waste cycle loop properly.