Composting Toilets in your Motorhome

[Quackers]

This is becoming an issue for small campsites. We have had several instances at Woodside Field this year where these bags have been deposited down our chemical disposal point and causing blockages. We have also had these bags left in our bins which frankly we are not happy about. And as for what has been recently left in out long grass wilding area, some people just have no respect.

We are considering only accepting cassette toilets in the future. Please think this out before you consider one of these separating toilets.

 

[bigtwin]

People are worrying unnecessarily, how do they think people with stoma bags get rid of their bags of poo

Most of them empty their stoma bags directly into the toilet. The circumstances where they would be unable to empty their stoma bags into a toilet and therefore have to bag up the waste for disposal elsewhere would be a very rare occurrence.

When changing their stoma bags they would be disposed of in normal waste bins but under those circumstances their bags would be empty.

Do single use stoma bags exist (that would be expensive)? If so then I guess disposal may well be as you suggest.

Nappies however …….

Ian

 

[Lenny HB]

so you are full of sh**

Nope that's everyone else, I'm better ar disposing of it. i

 

[carolyn]

Most of them empty their stoma bags directly into the toilet. The circumstances where they would be unable to empty their stoma bags into a toilet and therefore have to bag up the waste for disposal elsewhere would be a very rare occurrence.

When changing their stoma bags they would be disposed of in normal waste bins but under those circumstances their bags would be empty.

Do single use stoma bags exist (that would be expensive)? If so then I guess disposal may well be as you suggest.

Nappies however …….

Ian

I know the stoma bags are emptied but they are not “empty” . They are well and truly contaminated with poo depending on where along the gut the stoma is . Some people aren’t very good at emptying them at all! Don’t forget I’ve seen it all.

 

[mikash]

This is becoming an issue for small campsites. We have had several instances at Woodside Field this year where these bags have been deposited down our chemical disposal point and causing blockages. We have also had these bags left in our bins which frankly we are not happy about. And as for what has been recently left in out long grass wilding area, some people just have no respect.

We are considering only accepting cassette toilets in the future. Please think this out before you consider one of these separating toilets.

I hear some campsites have solved this by providing a compost you can empty separating toilets into. Although there will probably be a bunch of people who will just toss the contents in plastic bags - or empty a chemical toilet there

 

[Carpmart]

I think separating toilets make a lots of sense for off gridding… my biggest issue when off grid for two weeks is the cassette!

 

[eddie]

I hear some campsites have solved this by providing a compost you can empty separating toilets into. Although there will probably be a bunch of people who will just toss the contents in plastic bags - or empty a chemical toilet there

Really?

Who told you?

 

[Grey Fox]

Personally I feel putting thin plastic bags which are liable to split when rubbish is squashed down on top into public bins is disgusting, yes soiled nappies are regulary put into bins but adding more on top isn't a solution. Bins in public areas are invariably already overflowing, imagine if thousands of motorhomes were regulary dumping their shit on top of an overflowing bin - YUK Their is obviously a health hazard for those emptying the bins, contamination from flies etc etc

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[bobandjanie]

One of the up and coming problems in parts of Spain and France, is you can't dispose of rubbish / waste for free, and it's expensive for those that pay, only recycling is free, our friends in the Dordogne are horrified and it's taken recycling to another level. Bob.

 

[carolyn]

I can’t say I’m in a rush to get a composting/separating toilet but it’s really strange how some people are automatically against the idea of something new and look for obstacles whereas others think “well that’s interesting, how can it help me?”. I think with diesel heating the burn up your poo appeals more! Easier to dispose of ash? Just a thought.

I don’t suppose I should really be surprised as there’s a few on here who are dubious about mobile phones and only use them as a phone and not a mini computer

 

[hja]

I can’t say I’m in a rush to get a composting/separating toilet but it’s really strange how some people are automatically against the idea of something new and look for obstacles whereas others think “well that’s interesting, how can it help me?”. I think with diesel heating the burn up your poo appeals more! Easier to dispose of ash? Just a thought.

I don’t suppose I should really be surprised as there’s a few on here who are dubious about mobile phones and only use them as a phone and not a mini computer

Yes I agree with you. I also think they are going to slowly take over from cassette toilets. I understand the issues that Quakers has on his site, especially as too many can’t even work out whether their toilet liquids are septic tank friendly or not. However there needs to be a conversation with waste disposal companies and authorities as to how disposal should take place.
And I don’t use my phone much at all, mainly texts, occasional phone call, a couple of apps that don’t need internet access. Definately not a minicomputer!

 

[PaulW2]

I think it is in a sense part of the evolution of sanitation and hygiene.

In India there has been a significant reduction in what they call "open defecators". This is widely viewed as a good thing.

When camping in some areas as a youngster it was customary to take a garden spade, lean back against a tree trunk, and "fertilise" it.

Motorhome loos and disposal points are clearly a significant improvement on this. Especially as there are tens of thousands of us and the trees couldn't otherwise handle all the "nutrients".

The separating "solution" is effectively a regressive one that says "well, you can instead do it in a plastic bag. This is easier to surreptitiously dispose of than 20 litres of liquid waste". Of course one can understand the selfish objective. I don't have to deal with a full cartridge. And one can understand the marketing. "Composting", hah. But it does have externalised consequences.

It is now in a plastic bag. How to safely dispose of this bag without upsetting various social or waste disposal apple carts?

As we have heard this has already caused problems in some campsites.

I think saying that it is no worse than some other quite serious problem or problems (dog waste, nappies, stoma bags) doesn't really help at all. These things are problems. They aren't helped by being compounded by another wave of ordure.

Incineration, sure, I agree. (But I would still like to understand a bit better whether it produces localised odours or ash fallout.)

 

[mikash]

Really?

Who told you?

A separating toilet evangelist I know (it's like veganism, I swear, they will let you know!). She also says there's some sort of eco-camping-boom going on in Europe and you can find sites where the onsite facilities are separating/composting to save water, so they are naturally well equipped to handle the solids from your van too. I'd think at this stage it's something you'd have to specifically ask for though. At least I haven't seen anyone specifically advertise it.

 

[Minxy]

Incineration, sure, I agree. (But I would still like to understand a bit better whether it produces localised odours or ash fallout.)

If the bog goes wrong though and ignites before the user has finished it could bring a whole new meaning to the phrase "up Pompeii"!

 

[hja]

I think it is in a sense part of the evolution of sanitation and hygiene.

In India there has been a significant reduction in what they call "open defecators". This is widely viewed as a good thing.

When camping in some areas as a youngster it was customary to take a garden spade, lean back against a tree trunk, and "fertilise" it.

Motorhome loos and disposal points are clearly a significant improvement on this. Especially as there are tens of thousands of us and the trees couldn't otherwise handle all the "nutrients".

The separating "solution" is effectively a regressive one that says "well, you can instead do it in a plastic bag. This is easier to surreptitiously dispose of than 20 litres of liquid waste". Of course one can understand the selfish objective. I don't have to deal with a full cartridge. And one can understand the marketing. "Composting", hah. But it does have externalised consequences.

It is now in a plastic bag. How to safely dispose of this bag without upsetting various social or waste disposal apple carts?

As we have heard this has already caused problems in some campsites.

I think saying that it is no worse than some other quite serious problem or problems (dog waste, nappies, stoma bags) doesn't really help at all. These things are problems. They aren't helped by being compounded by another wave of ordure.

Incineration, sure, I agree. (But I would still like to understand a bit better whether it produces localised odours or ash fallout.)

Incineration : all of Lincolnshire residual waste goes to the incinerator. I have visited and had a guided tour. Quite impressive. There can be huge local rows when incinerators are proposed. The biggest issue is about want chemicals might or might not be in any emissions from the plant. I have never heard of any suggestions about ash fall out. There was certainly no odour on the day I visited. I think the issue is more chemical content than odour. And as for chemical content, you decide who you believe.

 

[eddie]

A separating toilet evangelist I know (it's like veganism, I swear, they will let you know!). She also says there's some sort of eco-camping-boom going on in Europe and you can find sites where the onsite facilities are separating/composting to save water, so they are naturally well equipped to handle the solids from your van too. I'd think at this stage it's something you'd have to specifically ask for though. At least I haven't seen anyone specifically advertise it.

I as as I have just spent several weeks on a French Eco site in the SOF who are "leading the way" (their words) absolutely no mention of compostable toilets, or separator toilets

I assume, commercially, as a campsite designer, builder and operator, little point at spending money to cater for a tiny percentage of the market, in which, serious full timers, or, vanlifers aren't likely potential customers anyway.

I see no evidence of an eco camping boom, as people who want to pay for campsites want comfort and don't want to be eeking out water, separating their piss and shit, whereas, if I was living off grid and converting my "tiny house" which normally means, a mattress on a pallet, a 5 gallon water bottle (with a tap!) and poo'ing into sawdust, I'd be telling everyone, mainly to convince myself that "this is the future"

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[mikash]

I as as I have just spent several weeks on a French Eco site in the SOF who are "leading the way" (their words) absolutely no mention of compostable toilets, or separator toilets

I assume, commercially, as a campsite designer, builder and operator, little point at spending money to cater for a tiny percentage of the market, in which, serious full timers, or, vanlifers aren't likely potential customers anyway.

I see no evidence of an eco camping boom, as people who want to pay for campsites want comfort and don't want to be eeking out water, separating their piss and shit, whereas, if I was living off grid and converting my "tiny house" which normally means, a mattress on a pallet, a 5 gallon water bottle (with a tap!) and poo'ing into sawdust, I'd be telling everyone, mainly to convince myself that "this is the future"

Yeah I agree currently there's no market - the most often quoted upside of a composting toilet is reducing dependency on campsites and other dumping locations. If separating toilets will be adopted by more people, then there will be a market.

As for no evidence of an eco camping boom in general - I see a lot of "glamping" sites with focus on sustainability and limited amenities being part of the "experience" springing up both here in Finland and all around so there certainly is a market and a target audience for that sort of thing. Maybe that's not something for you, but it certainly exists.

 

[hja]

At the newark show this year there were a couple of vans with separating toilets installed as standard. Can’t remember the make. Be interesting to see the situation at the NEC.

 

[PaulW2]

At the newark show this year there were a couple of vans with separating toilets installed as standard. Can’t remember the make. Be interesting to see the situation at the NEC.

This sort of thing?

 

[gus-lopez]

this against a backdrop of councils moving to 3 weekly collections.

Should be collecting 3 times per week with the amount of rubbish now generated

Can never quite get the reasoning behind these...the fact that urine still gets separated and in to a tank that has to be removed and emptied just like a normal cassette sort of defeats the object in my mind..

A normal cassette requires a toilet or black waste dump
Some seperating toilets can be piped direct in to the grey waste tank. The solids are in a sealed plastic bag unlike nappies

I know the stoma bags are emptied but they are not “empty” . They are well and truly contaminated with poo depending on where along the gut the stoma is . Some people aren’t very good at emptying them at all! Don’t forget I’ve seen it all.

Her at our hospital they have a dedicated 'stoma' toilet . No use to anyone else

on top into public bins is disgusting,

Unlike nappies that are unbagged= & you will have to point me in the direction of these "bins" in the UK as I'd striggle to fin many?

Bins in public areas are invariably already overflowing,

as above where are the public bins? Most councils realy onMcD's & Burger kings for bins it appears to me

contamination from flies etc etc

In a sealed bag?

The biggest issue is about want chemicals might or might not be in any emissions from the plant. I have never heard of any suggestions about ash fall out. There was certainly no odour on the day I visited. I think the issue is more chemical content than odour. And as for chemical content, you decide who you believe.

Any new incinerating plant should have scrubbers on the outlet chimney designed to remove pollutants & chemicals

 

[Grey Fox]

I can’t say I’m in a rush to get a composting/separating toilet but it’s really strange how some people are automatically against the idea of something new and look for obstacles whereas others think “well that’s interesting, how can it help me?”. I think with diesel heating the burn up your poo appeals more! Easier to dispose of ash? Just a thought.

I don’t suppose I should really be surprised as there’s a few on here who are dubious about mobile phones and only use them as a phone and not a mini computer

I’m not against separation toilets, just concerned about environmentally responsible disposal of the bags, supposedly according to the NCC there are 750,000 caravans and motorhomes in the UK, that’s a lot of s..t, perhaps there is a market for dedicated disposal points of sealed bags.

 

[carolyn]

I’m not against separation toilets, just concerned about environmentally responsible disposal of the bags, supposedly according to the NCC there are 750,000 caravans and motorhomes in the UK, that’s a lot of s..t, perhaps there is a market for dedicated disposal points of sealed bags.

I don’t think they’ll catch on in a big way really. I thought I’d do some chatGPT ing as I’ve just got back from the dentist and my flu jab. I’m so brave.

If we assume there are about 400,000 motorhomers in the UK . No-one knows but that was a rough number from increasing 2013 figures and the increasing proportion of motorhomes and decrease in caravan sales.

Anyway a recent Scottish survey showed 73% of motorhomes liked staying on sites and even in Netherlands the proportion is increasing from 41% in 2019 to 61% in 2024 , Germany from 36% to 74%.

It’s as though us Funsters are the weirdos wanting just basic stuff!!

I don’t think we need to worry about disappearing under piles of poo. I reckon some will want them but for most people the current system will be fine. Simple , cheap and easy to replace. The new system does need quite a lot of maintenance to keep it working well, high maintenance pooing seems like a step backwards.

 

[hja]

How fast they spread will no doubt depend on what manufacturers do, what they fit as standard. It is interesting that both Thetford and Dometic sell conversion kits. They wouldn’t do that without believing they would sell in sufficient quantities.

 

[eddie]

How fast they spread will no doubt depend on what manufacturers do, what they fit as standard. It is interesting that both Thetford and Dometic sell conversion kits. They wouldn’t do that without believing they would sell in sufficient quantities.

Do you have a link?

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[DavidG58]

Do you have a link?

Thetford - Separation Kit and Separation Toilet

Thetford introduces next level separation kits and toilets! For the Thetford C220 and the C260.

www.thetford.com

I am horrified at the idea of several kilos of poo being put in lay-by bins, a dog poo bag or nappy would contain considerably less poo I would think

but I do think a separator with the incineration option could work, if safe and no annoying emissions on neighbours or dropping through our roof vents

 

[Grey Fox]

incineration toilet - Bit expensive
I suppose it may save having to put the heating on

Cinderella Travel Incineration Toilet

Cinderella Travel Incineration Toilet is the best possible sustainable solution for caravanning. No bad smells, almost no waste. All that's left is ash.

lpgshop.co.uk

 

[hja]

Do you have a link?

The Dometic one was in the current edition of MMM magazine.

 

[HKF]

...
And I don’t use my phone much at all, mainly texts, occasional phone call, a couple of apps that don’t need internet access. Definately not a minicomputer!

Same here.

 

[HKF]

Deleted . Duplicate post.

 

[Reallyretired]

Surely you could achieve the same result at zero cost by pissing in the sink. I'm sure simple arrangements could be made for short men and ladies.