Straw bale toilet
Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 12:24 pm
Inspired partly by the mention of Adam Hart Davis' in the Self sufficientish bible, and the possibility of having redo our septic tank, I am slowly putting together alternative systems for sewerage and waste water. Phase one, which will also reduce our water bill, is a straw bale urinal. I thought I'd outline my plan on here in the hope that people might be able to give some ideas or pointers.
We have a small room with only a toilet in it. I'm going to take out the toilet and close off the outlet to to fosse. The design will essentially be a bench with a toilet seat built in. Below it will be something like a plastic stacker box containing the straw. This is so it can be removed and added to the compost heap at regular intervals. I'm planning to put a front on the bench with a door/hatch which can be opened to remove the box. I hope to use as much recycled/reclaimed stuff to make the bench as possible (The mayor's daughter has given me some shifts at the tip so I'll be scavenging their as well!)
Questions.
Does this sound like a good idea or is there some major flaw I'm missing out on?
Odours, I have read that straw stops them, is this true? Will I need a vent?
How often would I be emptying it? -small bale used
Toilet paper (Mrs Powell and lady visitors will want to use it) I'm thinking bucket/bin and add to compost-good idea?
Flies. Will they be a problem?
We have a small room with only a toilet in it. I'm going to take out the toilet and close off the outlet to to fosse. The design will essentially be a bench with a toilet seat built in. Below it will be something like a plastic stacker box containing the straw. This is so it can be removed and added to the compost heap at regular intervals. I'm planning to put a front on the bench with a door/hatch which can be opened to remove the box. I hope to use as much recycled/reclaimed stuff to make the bench as possible (The mayor's daughter has given me some shifts at the tip so I'll be scavenging their as well!)
Questions.
Does this sound like a good idea or is there some major flaw I'm missing out on?
Odours, I have read that straw stops them, is this true? Will I need a vent?
How often would I be emptying it? -small bale used
Toilet paper (Mrs Powell and lady visitors will want to use it) I'm thinking bucket/bin and add to compost-good idea?
Flies. Will they be a problem?