The manner in which you empty a composting toilet will depend on the model of your toilet. You will see on our website that we have a variety of makes and models on offer - some have composting chambers located underneath the pedestal, some have chambers within the pedestal itself, others have resting trays. Some need to be emptied every couple of weeks, while others can take months to fill up.
Composting toilets convert human excreta into humus - a rotted but not matured material, and this is what you will be removing. But, before we get into the nitty gritty of the specifics, make sure you know the safety guidelines for handling humanure and what you can and can't do with it. Always wear appropriate PPE and bury your compost 150mm sub-strata.
Alright, so let's get into how you actually empty the various systems.
Self-Contained Systems with Chambers
Self-contained systems are great for sheds, motor-homes, boats and caravans. These types of models have the composting chamber located directly inside the pedestal itself - some chambers are lined with bio-degradable bags, others are not. If your chamber is lined, simply tie the bag with a knot, and throw it into your Secondary Treatment System (STS) for further maturation before burying. If the chamber is not lined, take it out and empty its contents directly into the STS. If you have a batch system with multiple chambers, put a lid on the full chamber and sit it out in the sun for a couple of weeks before emptying into the STS.
Processor Systems with a Resting/Aging/Finishing Tray (Self-Contained or Split-System)
Resting trays sit at the bottom of processor systems and collect compost for disposal - these systems are great for homes! Once your tray is full, simply pull it out and dispose of its contents. You can bury the compost directly into your designated land application area, as it comes from a processor system. But, if you wish to mature the compost further, you can throw it into a dedicated onsite Secondary Treatment System first, and bury it later.
Split-System with Batching Chambers
Split-systems with batching chambers are ideal for homes, tiny homes, batches and out-houses. The compost is collected in a chamber which sits under the floor, directly underneath the pedestal. The chambers have wheels, so once your chamber is full, simply drag it out and leave outside with an out-of-service lid for further maturation while you use a fresh chamber. Once the compost has matured and is ready for burial, simply drag it to your designated land application area and flip it over like a wheelbarrow to get rid of its contents.
Split-System with a Continuous Chamber
Split-systems with continuous chambers are great for bigger households, holiday parks or heavy use in commercial settings. Simply open up the hatch to the composting chamber, shovel the compost that needs to be removed into a wheelbarrow, and bury in your designated land application area. Note that only a part of the compost mass is removed at any one time from a continuous composting system - the lower part.
Here is a tutorial video on how to do this:
Need help choosing a system? Call WCTNZ® on 0800 022 027 for free advice on system specification and setup. Advanced design consultancy services are also available.
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