Living with a composting toilet successfully in rural areas

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

Jack, the Farmer

"Out here on the farm, it’s just me, the wife, and acres of open land. We love the rural life—fresh air, no neighbours, just the rhythm of nature. We’ve always been off-grid, so a composting toilet was a no-brainer. It’s durable, easy to use, and doesn’t need water or a septic tank, which saves us a fortune. No odours either, thanks to a simple vent we ran through the wall. Every few months, we empty the compost and it’s like gold for the soil! It’s as simple as mucking out the barn, and it fits our way of living close to the land. This toilet’s made our farm life even more self-sufficient, and that’s what it’s all about out here."

Why Compost in Rural Life?

Living in rural areas often means being closer to nature, and composting toilets align perfectly with that lifestyle. Composting toilets offer a waterless, low-maintenance, and eco-friendly waste solution, reducing environmental impact and integrating smoothly with off-grid living. Whether you're on a farm or a remote property, composting toilets provide a clean, odourless, and sustainable alternative to conventional septic or wastewater systems.

What you need to know!

Composting toilets work differently from traditional septic or flush systems, but they still provide the same comfort and hygiene. Maintenance is minimal, and with modern designs, handling waste is no more difficult than cleaning a regular toilet. Composting toilets are a safe, reliable, and cost-effective solution for rural properties, offering benefits that make them a great fit for off-grid living.

Key considerations before installing a composting toilet on your rural property:

• Ventilation: Composting toilets are vented to ensure odour-free use. You'll need to position the vent outlet thoughtfully, much like with septic systems.
• Capacity: Capacity is a key factor for larger rural households, so consider how much compost the system can store between emptying.
• Design Integration: Depending on the size of your rural property and how often it's used, different models may suit your needs. To find the best solution, contact us for guidance on 0800 022 027.
• Where to Get Your Compost Media (System Bulking Agent & Treatments): We help you find the best composting media for your system, ensuring smooth operation and efficient composting. If you live far from towns or suppliers, we provide information on ideal bulking agents and treatments so you can source them locally or stock up ahead of time. The media is compact and easy to store, making it simple to keep your system running smoothly even in remote locations.

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

There are multiple ways to manage and dispose of compost in a rural setting, depending on your land and lifestyle.

If you have ample land:

✓ You can bury the composted material on your property, safely returning it to the soil as part of a natural cycle, away from water sources and flood areas.

✓ Alternatively, you can add the compost to a dedicated composting bin on your farm to further break down and use in gardens or fields.

If your rural property is smaller or off-grid:

✓ If disposal on-site is not ideal, you can store the compost in sealed containers and transport it to another location for safe disposal or composting.

✓ The compost can also be added to friends' or neighbours' humanure compost bins.

Sustainable results!

By using a composting toilet on your rural property, you’re taking advantage of a truly sustainable solution that returns waste to the earth in a safe, responsible way. Composting toilets significantly reduce the need for water and external wastewater management, making them a smart choice for rural living. They support a closed-loop environmental system, making your home or farm greener and more self-sufficient.

See the range today | Rural Composting Toilets

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