How to Build a DIY Composting Toilet: A Step-by-Step Guide

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How to Build a Compost Toilet

If you’re looking for a way to reduce your environmental impact and save money on your water bill, a compost toilet is a great option. Compost toilets are self-contained units that use a natural process to break down human waste into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. They’re also much more water-efficient than traditional flush toilets, using as little as one gallon of water per flush.

Building a compost toilet is a relatively simple project that can be completed in a weekend. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps of building a compost toilet, from choosing the right materials to installing the finished product.

We’ll also provide tips on how to maintain your compost toilet and troubleshoot any problems that may arise. So if you’re ready to take the plunge and start saving money and reducing your environmental impact, read on!

How To Build A Compost Toilet?

| Step | Materials | Instructions |
|—|—|—|
| 1 | 55-gallon drum | Cut the bottom out of the drum. |
| 2 | 2x4s | Build a frame for the toilet seat. |
| 3 | Chicken wire | Line the inside of the drum with chicken wire. |
| 4 | Sawdust | Add a layer of sawdust to the bottom of the drum. |
| 5 | Human waste | Add human waste to the sawdust. |
| 6 | Water | Add water to the sawdust and human waste. |
| 7 | Cover the toilet seat | Cover the toilet seat with a lid. |
| 8 | Wait | Wait for the compost to break down. |
| 9 | Use the compost | Use the compost as fertilizer for your garden. |

Choosing the Right Location for Your Compost Toilet

The first step in building a compost toilet is choosing the right location. This is important for a number of reasons, including:

  • Space requirements: Compost toilets require a certain amount of space, so it’s important to make sure you have enough room for the toilet and the associated components, such as the composting chamber and the leachate collection system.
  • Soil type: The soil type in your area will affect the performance of your compost toilet. Compost toilets work best in soils that are well-drained and have a neutral pH.
  • Drainage: Compost toilets produce liquid waste, which needs to be properly drained away from the toilet. Make sure there is a suitable drainage area for your compost toilet, such as a dry well or a leach field.
  • Privacy: Compost toilets are typically located outdoors, so it’s important to choose a location that provides privacy. This could be in a secluded area of your yard, or behind a privacy fence.

Here are some tips for choosing the right location for your compost toilet:

  • Consider the size of your family. The size of your family will determine how much space you need for the compost toilet and the associated components. If you have a large family, you will need a larger compost toilet and a larger composting area.
  • Check the soil type in your area. Compost toilets work best in soils that are well-drained and have a neutral pH. If your soil is not well-drained or has a high pH, you may need to take steps to improve the soil before installing a compost toilet.
  • Plan for drainage. Compost toilets produce liquid waste, which needs to be properly drained away from the toilet. Make sure there is a suitable drainage area for your compost toilet, such as a dry well or a leach field.
  • Consider privacy. Compost toilets are typically located outdoors, so it’s important to choose a location that provides privacy. This could be in a secluded area of your yard, or behind a privacy fence.

Building the Compost Toilet

Once you have chosen the right location for your compost toilet, you can begin building it. Compost toilets are relatively simple to build, and you can do it yourself with a few basic tools and materials.

Here are the materials and tools you will need to build a compost toilet:

  • Materials:
  • 2x4s
  • Plywood
  • Tar paper
  • Composting bin
  • Leachate collection system
  • Drainage pipe
  • PVC pipe
  • Buckets
  • Gloves
  • Safety glasses
  • Tools:
  • Saw
  • Drill
  • Screwdriver
  • Tape measure
  • Level
  • Shovel
  • Trowel
  • Hammer

Here are the step-by-step instructions for building a compost toilet:

1. Assemble the frame. The first step is to assemble the frame of the compost toilet. This is made from 2x4s and plywood.
2. Install the composting bin. The composting bin is the container where the waste will be composted. It can be made from a variety of materials, such as wood, plastic, or metal.
3. Install the leachate collection system. The leachate collection system is a system of pipes and buckets that collects the liquid waste from the composting bin.
4. Install the drainage pipe. The drainage pipe is a pipe that connects the leachate collection system to the drainage area.
5. Install the PVC pipe. The PVC pipe is a pipe that connects the composting bin to the leachate collection system.
6. Fill the composting bin with bedding material. Bedding material is a material that helps to absorb moisture and create aeration in the composting bin. It can be made from a variety of materials, such as straw, wood chips, or leaves.
7. Start composting. Once the composting bin is filled with bedding material, you can start composting. This involves adding your waste to the bin and turning it regularly.
8. Maintain the compost toilet. Compost toilets require regular maintenance to ensure that they are working properly. This includes emptying the leachate collection system, cleaning the composting bin, and adding new bedding material.

Tips for Successful Composting

Here are some tips for successful composting:

  • Use the right materials. The materials you use in your compost toilet will affect the performance of the toilet. Make sure to use materials that are biodegradable and that will break down quickly.
  • Turn the compost regularly. Turning the compost regularly helps to aerate it and speed up the composting process.
  • Add water to the compost as needed. The compost should be moist, but

3. Maintaining Your Compost Toilet

How to add and remove material

To add material to your compost toilet, simply open the lid and add the waste. You can add anything that would normally go in a regular toilet, including urine, feces, and toilet paper. You can also add kitchen scraps, such as vegetable scraps, fruit scraps, and coffee grounds.

When adding material to your compost toilet, it is important to mix it in with the existing compost. This will help to speed up the composting process and prevent odors. You can mix the material by hand or with a compost aerator.

How to aerate the compost

Aerating the compost helps to speed up the composting process and prevent odors. You can aerate the compost by turning it with a compost aerator or by stirring it with a shovel. You should aerate the compost once a week or more often if it is starting to smell.

How to prevent odors

There are a few things you can do to prevent odors from your compost toilet. First, make sure that the compost is well-aerated. This will help to keep the compost from becoming anaerobic, which is what causes odors. Second, make sure that the compost is not too wet. Too much moisture can also lead to odors. Third, keep the lid closed when the compost toilet is not in use. This will help to contain the odors.

How to troubleshoot problems

If your compost toilet is starting to smell, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot the problem. First, make sure that the compost is well-aerated. If it is not, you can aerate it by turning it with a compost aerator or by stirring it with a shovel. Second, make sure that the compost is not too wet. If it is, you can add dry materials, such as shredded paper or sawdust. Third, make sure that the lid is closed when the compost toilet is not in use. This will help to contain the odors.

If you have tried these troubleshooting steps and the problem persists, you may need to call a professional for help.

4. Using Your Compost Toilet

How to dispose of finished compost

Once the compost in your compost toilet has finished composting, you can dispose of it in a number of ways. You can spread it on your garden as a fertilizer, add it to your compost pile, or give it away to friends or neighbors.

If you are spreading the compost on your garden, it is important to make sure that it is completely composted. Uncomposted compost can contain harmful bacteria and parasites. You can compost the finished compost by turning it with a compost aerator or by stirring it with a shovel. You should compost the compost for at least six months before spreading it on your garden.

You can also add the finished compost to your compost pile. This will help to speed up the composting process and create a richer compost.

If you have extra finished compost, you can give it away to friends or neighbors. This is a great way to share the benefits of composting with others.

How to use compost in your garden

Compost is a great way to improve the soil in your garden. It adds nutrients to the soil, helps to improve drainage, and helps to retain moisture. You can use compost in your garden by adding it to the soil when you are planting new plants, or by spreading it on top of the soil after you have already planted your plants.

When you are adding compost to the soil, it is important to make sure that it is completely composted. Uncomposted compost can contain harmful bacteria and parasites. You can compost the finished compost by turning it with a compost aerator or by stirring it with a shovel. You should compost the compost for at least six months before adding it to your garden.

You can also use compost in your garden by spreading it on top of the soil. This will help to improve the soil structure and help to retain moisture. You should spread the compost on top of the soil after you have already planted your plants.

Benefits of using a compost toilet

There are many benefits to using a compost toilet, including:

  • Environmental benefits: Compost toilets reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfills. They also help to improve air quality by reducing the amount of methane gas that is released into the atmosphere.
  • Economic benefits: Compost toilets can save you money on your water bill and your sewage bill. They also require less maintenance than traditional toilets.
  • Health benefits: Compost toilets do not require the use of chemicals, so they are better

    How do I build a compost toilet?

To build a compost toilet, you will need the following materials:

  • A 55-gallon drum or food-grade plastic container
  • A drill with a 1-inch spade bit
  • A jigsaw or hand saw
  • A hammer and nails or screws
  • A shovel
  • A tarp or ground cover
  • A bucket or wheelbarrow
  • Compostable materials, such as sawdust, leaves, and food scraps

Instructions:

1. Drill holes in the bottom of the drum or container. This will allow liquid to drain out and prevent the compost from becoming soggy.
2. Cut a hole in the side of the drum or container, about 18 inches above the bottom. This will be the door for the toilet.
3. Hammer or screw the drum or container to a sturdy base, such as a wooden platform.
4. Cover the ground around the toilet with a tarp or ground cover to protect the area from runoff.
5. Start adding compostable materials to the toilet. Be sure to mix in dry materials, such as sawdust or leaves, to help absorb moisture.
6. Cover the materials with a layer of soil or compost every few days. This will help to create aerobic conditions and speed up the composting process.
7. Once the compost is finished, it can be used as fertilizer for your garden.

Tips:

  • When choosing a location for your compost toilet, make sure it is in a sunny spot and is away from any water sources.
  • Be sure to empty the compost toilet regularly, as it can become smelly if it is not maintained properly.
  • Compost toilets are a great way to reduce your waste and create a sustainable toileting system.

What are the benefits of using a compost toilet?

There are many benefits to using a compost toilet, including:

  • Reduced water usage: Compost toilets use much less water than traditional flush toilets. This can save you money on your water bill and help to conserve water resources.
  • Reduced waste: Compost toilets produce no wastewater, which means that you do not have to worry about connecting to a septic system or sewer line. This can save you money on plumbing costs and is better for the environment.
  • Environmentally friendly: Compost toilets are a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. They do not require any chemicals or electricity, and they help to create a valuable resource in the form of compost.
  • Easy to maintain: Compost toilets are very easy to maintain. Simply add compostable materials to the toilet and empty it regularly. There is no need to flush or add water.
  • Odorless: Compost toilets are designed to be odorless. The composting process helps to break down waste and neutralize odors.

What are the disadvantages of using a compost toilet?

There are a few disadvantages to using a compost toilet, including:

  • They can be more expensive than traditional flush toilets. However, the long-term savings in water and plumbing costs can often make up for the initial investment.
  • They can be more difficult to find and install. Compost toilets are not as common as traditional flush toilets, so you may have to do some research to find one that is right for you.
  • They can be more difficult to use than traditional flush toilets. Compost toilets require you to add compostable materials to the toilet and empty it regularly. This may be a challenge for some people.
  • They can be smelly if they are not maintained properly. The composting process can produce some odors, so it is important to empty the toilet regularly and keep it clean.

Is a compost toilet right for me?

Whether or not a compost toilet is right for you depends on your individual needs and preferences. Here are a few factors to consider:

  • Your budget: Compost toilets can be more expensive than traditional flush toilets, but the long-term savings in water and plumbing costs can often make up for the initial investment.
  • Your location: Compost toilets are not as common as traditional flush toilets, so you may have to do some research to find one that is right for you.
  • Your lifestyle: Compost toilets require you to add compostable materials to the toilet and empty it regularly. This may be a challenge for some people.
  • Your environmental concerns: Compost toilets are a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and create a valuable resource in the form of compost.

If you are considering using a compost toilet, it is important to do your research and make sure that it is the right choice for you.

Where can I buy

In this blog post, we have discussed how to build a compost toilet. We have covered the different types of compost toilets, the materials you will need, and the steps involved in the construction process. We hope that this information has been helpful and that you are now feeling more confident in your ability to build your own compost toilet.

Here are a few key takeaways from this blog post:

  • Compost toilets are a great way to reduce your environmental impact and save money on your water bill.
  • There are many different types of compost toilets, so you can choose one that best suits your needs and budget.
  • The construction process for a compost toilet is relatively simple, and you can complete it in a weekend.
  • Compost toilets require minimal maintenance, and they can be used for years to come.

If you are interested in learning more about compost toilets, we encourage you to do some additional research. There are many helpful resources available online, including books, articles, and videos. You can also find local organizations that can provide you with support and guidance.

We hope that you will consider building a compost toilet for your home. It is a great way to live more sustainably and save money.

Author Profile

Liana Farrell
Liana Farrell
Liana Farrell is the owner of toiletty.com. She is a mom of two and is very passionate about home improvement.

Liana has ten years of home improvement experience, and in her own words, she said: “I love improving the home, and I’m very passionate about keeping the home in the best possible condition. I love it!”

Liana Farrell balances beauty and functionality when she goes about her home improvement jobs.