Composting toilets are an excellent option for a sustainable and environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional flush toilets; however, maintaining optimal conditions can be challenging in cold weather. Enjoying the many benefits of a composting toilet year-round, even in colder climates, is quite simple when you know how, so we’ve created some tips for maintaining a composting toilet in cold weather.
First, what is a Composting Toilet?
A composting toilet is a type of toilet that uses natural processes to break down organic matter and eliminate pathogens from human waste. The waste is collected in a composting chamber, where it’s aerated, moistened, and allowed to naturally decompose.
Composting toilets are an excellent option for off-grid living, cottages, cabins and other locations where traditional sewage systems, town water or septic tanks are unavailable.
Composting toilets offer a wide variety of benefits over traditional flush toilets, including:
- Reduce your water usage: Composting toilets use little to no water, making them an ideal solution for areas with limited water resources.
- Decrease your environmental impact: Composting toilets reduce the amount of wastewater produced and prevent pollutants from entering water systems.
- Sustainable and self-sufficient: Composting toilets allow you to manage your own waste in a responsible and environmentally friendly manner.
- Cost savings: Composting toilets can save you money on water bills and septic tank maintenance as they use no water and can be hooked up to solar panels to drive the exhaust fan and heating elements.
Why is Cold Weather a Challenge for Composting Toilets?
Cold weather can have a significant impact on the composting process. Low temperatures inside the compost bin will slow decomposition, and freezing will stop the process completely. This is not an issue in warm climates, or if the toilet is only used during spring, summer, and fall–but for year-round use in cold climates, it is important to take steps to keep the compost bin warm enough to function well.
Tips for Maintaining a Composting Toilet in Cold Weather
Below are some hints and tips to help you maintain your composting toilet all year round.
Cold Climate with Freezing Temperatures:
For year-round use in a cold climate, it is necessary to prevent the active bin (the one connected to the toilet) from freezing. If you are installing the active bin in a basement or fully enclosed crawl space that stays well above freezing, then no special steps are required. If you are installing the bin in any space that is prone to freezing or prolonged cold temperatures (like a drafty or unenclosed crawl space, or the area beneath a tiny home trailer) then you will need to create a warm enclosure around the active bin. Otherwise, the composting process will slow or stop, and waste will fill the bin quickly. This can be as elaborate as building framed and insulated walls with a door, or as simple as enclosing the bin with whatever insulating materials are available.
If you do create an enclosure around your active bin, keep in mind that preventing drafts is even more important than adding insulation! If air can easily move in and out of the enclosure through gaps and cracks, then the insulation will have no effect.
Use a Heating Pad
If your composting toilet is located in a particularly cold area of the country, consider using a small electric heating pad to maintain the temperature inside the composting chamber. A temperature between 50-60°F is ideal for composting to occur. Heating pads can be connected to a solar panel to assist with power requirements.
Avoid Overloading the Composting Chamber
Overloading the composting chamber can make it difficult for air to circulate and for composting to occur naturally. Be mindful of the amount of waste you add to the composting chamber, especially at cool composting temperatures when the composting process is slowed down.