Yes, you can put toilet paper in most composting toilets, as it breaks down with waste, but the type and system matter: avoid thick, multi-ply, or scented/inked papers, use quick-dissolving/bamboo paper if possible, and always put it in a separate bin if your toilet has an agitator to prevent jamming; otherwise, add it to the solids bin along with carbon cover material like sawdust or coco coir.
Toilet paper will decompose along with the rest of the waste. However, avoid using brands with ink prints, as chemicals can harm the compost, or those made from bamboo, as these may take longer to break down. Nappies and other personal hygiene items should go in a separate bin.
While regular toilet paper (not wet wipes) is compostable, it is recommended to not fill up your solids department with it. For once it can “hide” the solids from the covering material, preventing the moisture to be soaked up. It will also fill up the solids compartment way faster, which can be inconvenient.
Probably the biggest mistake when using the composting toilet is to flush the urine canister with water. At first glance, this seems like a good idea. After all, water makes you clean. What you don't see, but sooner or later smell: urine scale forms due to the combination of water and residual urine.
Yes, you can use the compost toilet when you have diarrhea. If that's the case, we recommend that you change the bags more often and add more cover material than usual to help bind the extra liquid. If the diarrhea is due to an illness, do not compost the solid waste.
Don't:
The humanure (solids) is mixed with an organic compost agent using an agitator or layered as needed after each use. Your solids bin should look like a bucket of dirt and no, your composting toilet won't smell! It's easy to empty, environmentally friendly, and doesn't use water.
Eating any food while on the toilet is forbidden. After defecating, the anus must be washed with water using the left hand, or an odd number of smooth stones or pebbles called jamrah or hijaarah (Sahih Al-Bukhari 161, Book 4, Hadith 27). Many jurists agree that toilet paper suffices in place of these stones.
The worst things for a septic tank are non-biodegradable items (wipes, sanitary products, floss, paper towels), grease/fats/oils, harsh chemicals (bleach, antibacterial cleaners, drain cleaners, paint), and excessive food scraps/garbage, as these clog pipes, kill beneficial bacteria, and overload the system, leading to costly backups and failure; even driving over the drain field is damaging.
In many Amish homes, rags are a common toilet paper alternative. These rags are typically old clothes that have been worn out. After simple processing, they become practical cleaning tools. After use, they are washed clean and can be reused multiple times.
You should never flush wet wipes (even "flushable" ones) and sanitary products (like tampons/pads) because they don't break down, causing serious blockages in pipes and sewage systems. Other items to avoid include paper towels, tissues, cotton buds, dental floss, hair, and cooking oils/fats, as they all contribute to clogs and environmental issues.
Emptying the compost is a bit more work but luckily it doesn't have to be done that often. We empty our compost every 2 weeks. That accounts for two people using it full time. If it's used less frequently or by less people then this time interval can be longer.
Emptying pee and poo
Emptying a composting toilet also does not produce any unpleasant odors. The collected, dried solids no longer smell like feces or excrement. Disposal is simple and straightforward, whether using a composting toilet with or without an agitator, although slightly easier without an agitator.
If you have access to an 'elsan' or chemical toilet disposal point, toilet or greywater drain, these are also ideal for emptying into. Never pour urine into a canal or waterway – over time, it has the potential to promote excessive algal growth, which can lead to eutrophication (lack of oxygen) of the waterway.
While you can keep your outdoor compost bin in direct sunlight, it's recommended to place it somewhere in the shade. While a nice sunny spot can make your compost decompose faster, it can also severely dry it out (via Milorganite).
The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) emphasized cleanliness, stating that cleanliness is half of faith (Sahih Muslim 223). This extends to practices after using the bathroom, where Muslims follow a specific etiquette known as Istinja. This involves cleansing oneself primarily with water.
In order to undertake the required personal washing when away from home, some people will fill whatever container they can find (often a cup or water bottle) with water and take this to the privacy of a toilet cubicle to undertake this personal ablution act in private.
France, Portugal, Italy and Japan.
Instead of toilet paper, people from these countries usually have bidets in their bathrooms. A bidet looks like a toilet but also has a spout that sprays water like a fountain to thoroughly cleanse you.
The main disadvantages of composting toilets are the need for regular, often manual maintenance and emptying, potential for odors, insects, and health risks if not managed properly, higher initial cost and space requirements (especially for integrated units), and reliance on power for fans/vents, all requiring user commitment and proper disposal of the end product to avoid pathogen spread.
Forgetting the Balance of Ingredients
Indoor composting still relies on a mix of “greens” and “browns.” Too many food scraps turn into a wet mess, while too much paper or cardboard slows the process.
If the toilet is used by members of the public, and therefore, their general health is not known, then it's important to adopt a precautionary approach and ensure the primary composting process happens over a twelve month period, with a further six months maturation (ie emptied from the composting container).
Banana peels are packed with potassium, phosphorus, and calcium — nutrients that are essential for plant growth. They decompose quickly, making them a fantastic addition to your compost pile. Plus, by composting peels instead of tossing them in the trash, you help reduce landfill waste.
Breaking Down Composting and Understanding the Basics
However, compost can only effectively improve soil quality if the organic stream remains clean. When non-compostable materials, such as conventional plastics, glass, metals, and produce stickers end up in the compost mix, they can easily derail the entire process.
No Dairy and Eggs
The resulting smell of rotting milk or eggs will attract unwanted visitors. Eggshells, on the other hand, do provide valuable calcium to the resulting compost. It's best to rinse and dry the eggshells before reducing them to a fine grind or powder.