Human waste and biodegradeables

[brooklynodog]

Not trying to be funny, but our plot is off the beaten track, and sometimes we have been caught short. We have invested in a porta loo. I know diluted human urine is ok for compost, but what about more solid types of waste? Are any biodegradeables flush liquids safe, or should we just take it all home. Anyone who is sensitive, please accept my appologies!

[rustylady]

Human waste can be composted - information here - weblife.org: Humanure Handbook: Contents

However, if you are using a portaloo with chemicals I would take it home and flush it down the loo.

[Olorin2001]

Lot of nasty chemicals in that chemical toilet stuff - better to dump the portaloo and put it all into your compost heap, liquid, solid or intermediate.

[Bill HH]

Call me fussy, but there's no way I am eating veg that owes its cellular structure to a human turd.

However if you do do it then replace the chemicas with sawdust or shavings, have a bag or bucket of shavings nearby and cover each addition with a scoop full. I suppose human excriment qualifies as "Browns" in compost terms.

[alldigging]

Use the humanure on flower beds.It'll be 3-4 years before you've got any to empty out of a compost bin anyway.

Low Carbon Lifestyle
John has one and has been on the TV with his!

[Methe]

A lot of commercially grown veg uses sterilised waste from water treatment plants as fertiliser.

I once went to one of the incineration depots as part of my old job. Very interesting but best not thought about too much.

[Bigmallly]

I've heard about Toms growing freely at sewerage plants due to undigested seeds.

Tomato plant quiz

[Bren In Pots]

Years back you could buy tom plants from our local sewerage works.

[Bigmallly]

Years back you could buy tom plants from our local sewerage works.

[PyreneesPlot]

Can you build a composting loo?

[Olorin2001]

Sewerage sludge is sold on as a commercial fertiliser, millions of tons are used in UK to grow the food you buy in shops. While nobody is advocating using it fresh, when composted it can be used in the garden or allotment. Being squeamish or fussy is fine - but some of your food is grown with human waste derivatives - personally I would rather it be mine and not unknown people.

[Two_Sheds]

Call me fussy, but there's no way I am eating veg that owes its cellular structure to a human turd.

but you're happy to drink tap water that's had goodness-knows how many turds in it. We all poo in our drinking water, it's just that it's all cleaned up far far away from our sight, by the very expensive water company fairies



and poops are N (nitrogen, greens) not browns (carbon)

[Bill HH]

but you're happy to drink tap water that's had goodness-knows how many turds in it. We all poo in our drinking water, it's just that it's all cleaned up far far away from our sight, by the very expensive water company fairies



and poops are N (nitrogen, greens) not browns (carbon)

Oh i know my position on this is completely unreasonable and not in the least scientificaly based, but if you told me the tomato I was eating had been fertilised by your (or anyones) evacuated waste then I would refuse to eat it. Yet I will happily scrape green mould off cheese and eat that, or eat a sandwich with dung covered hands.

My little attempt at levity about poops being browns was merely an observation, however if yours are green you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.

[Bill HH]

Can you build a composting loo?

I am old enough to remeber our outside loo. That used to compost itself. We had a two holer (Kinky or what) and I can remember shining my torch down the spare hole and seeing a myriad of rats eyes looking back at me.
At the back of the loo were doors and some unfortunate farm worker would be given the task of digging it out every so often, i suppose it got spread on the farm somewhere.

[taff]

Same principle is used now, so it must work
handy pics
The Humanure Handbook - Build your own humanure toilet!