Hey thanks Lloyd! I've been considering a composting toilet, these are good tips!

What a disappointing 'tip'. To save others the time of having to watch the tip, he's just suggesting "Don't flush the toilet paper, Throw it into a (sealable) trash can". I can see this being a legitimate tip, but it certainly doesn't come close to the title of the post. There was no "hacking" of the toilet or it's operation at all.

Personally, I think using a bidet would have been the better and more sanitary solution. I'd hate to be the person stuck with the chore of emptying out the toilet-paper bucket.

This seems a bit alarming for any potential composting toilet users, who might already be unsure if they could handle something so unconventional. The added "ew" factor of putting toilet paper in a trash can would probably rule this kind of toilet out for many people.

Is the reality of composting toilets really this far from the image put out by companies like Envirolet?

LA: The manufacturers all say that toilet paper is fine in the composter. It may just be my inability to get my children to use less than a yard of it each time.

Toilet paper can be added (and actually adds carbon to the system, not a bad thing). But, as Lloyd points out getting users (esp. kids) to use a "proper" (ie minimal amount) can be tough. Really, how do you monitor that...

Also, keep in mind this is a waterless system. So, toilet paper can take some time to break down (water obviously aids in the breakdown of paper but is absent -- part of the reason for using this type of system). Not all users do this, but some do (like Lloyd). If you can make sure a normal amount of tp is added, then this is not at all required.

(As far as bidets are concerned, this is a waterless toilet. Extra eater cannot/should not be added.)

Max: This is our waterless all-in-one type model (ie it uses no water and is right in the bathroom). This type, as in Lloyd's case, is most popular for cottages/cabins. This is our first design that originated in 1977. Lloyd has chosen the more basic type as he probably also does not have a dishwasher, fancy fridge, a/c, flat screen tv, etc. at his cottage. He's keeping it basic and eco-nice (except for his fancy garbage can!).

Honestly, if you want a more glamorous looking toilet with all the bells and whistles (like you may have seen in our ads on TH), look at a remote type (waterless or low flush with a separate tank), especially our newer Envirolet FlushSmart VF model (0.2L flush ceramic toilet, push button flush, all compost is "out of sight/out of mind" in remote tank, etc). This might make things more like the comforts of a western home.

Don't know if this site is the avenue I'm looking for -- I just want to warn people that the advertisements for composting toilets are not necessarily of integrity. I have had a Sun Mar for about one year (Excel - electric). First of all this model will NOT support 3 adults with continual residential use (and we work during the day). I doubt that it would support two. Secondly, If you are considering the composting route -- from my experience, know that usage is odor free, but empting is disgusting. The evaporation chamber houses the most vile smelling black sludge you can imagine. This odor comes out of the vent and at times makes it impossible to enjoy our deck (or yard). We are very disappointed. The finishing tray does not produce nice dry composting material. In fact, we cannot leave it for the three recommended weeks as the drum fills up before then. What we have to do is don gloves every two to three weeks and manually scoop out the "composting" material from the drum and let it finish in the sunlight on the property. Luckily we have the acreage to do this. Another problem is that if the electricity goes off (for this electric model) the odor takes over the house. We turned it off while we were gone for a week as the manual advises. When we returned, we had to open the windows and stay with friends until the house aired out. We really liked the concept of the composting toilet and had hoped to replace several more of our conventional ones. It seems, however, that the industry is not there yet. One big problem is that the "dealers" only order the product for you. There is no in-the-field help. No one to trouble shoot or come out to advise. The nice ladies on the phone when you call for technical support just read the same manual you have. I finally asked one if she had ever used one. She hadn't -- much less maintained one. If you have no alternative, go for it, but buyer be aware. Know that if you you are going to maintain one, it takes a lot of focus and attention.

(As far as bidets are concerned, this is a waterless toilet. Extra eater cannot/should not be added.)

I suspect this is a typo but It's still pretty funny...

I work for an organization that's looking into the possibility of installing a composting toilet in our office. Our space is on the 15th floor of an old building, and retrofitting it with a conventional bathroom is prohibitively expensive. The composting toilet would not only be more cost-effective, and earth-friendly to boot, it would also make our office space accessible for a disabled employee. The staff member who would be the primary user of the toilet, however, is highly skeptical about the idea.

Is there anyone out there who would be willing to share their candid, experience-based insight over the phone with her or another member of our staff?