We’re closing in on the final details of our compost toilet, which was months in the making.

Maria put some shelves in today. She plans to paint the interior white and the exterior the same green as the bedroom. I had a class with her this afternoon, and she explained how it would work. We’re also putting in a safety bar that she and I can grab if necessary.

The toilet is well built, drilled into the floor, strong, and easy to manipulate.

I am surprised at the simplicity of the toilet. There are two major elements to learn: urinating and bowel movements. Each uses a completely separate part of the toilet.

There are two holes for urinating and a larger hole for bowel movements. Since the toilet is upstairs, we only expect to use the former (I’m not used to writing about toilets, etc., but many people want to know) most of the time.

That means the composting material must only be changed every month or two.

We have a regular bathroom downstairs.

To prepare, we get a brick of coco coir, put it in a bucket, and add water until the coco coir is moist and absorbent.

It soaks for about 12 hours, and after any bowel movement, there’s a wheel to turn to open a large hole and mix the waste into the absorbent. You can use the wheel by sticking your hand out while on the toilet, which is sturdy and high enough for someone like me.

(Maria showing me how to lift the top and remove the urine bucket you can see it at the bottom)

The ventilation fan will also keep the absorbent coco coir moist. When the waste has to be removed, it can go to a compost site, which we have on the farm. When the waste is fully absorbed, it can be used in gardens.

Again, the bowel part will be occasional for us. The urine option will be used only at night, making life much easier for us.

This spares rushing down the stairs at night (unless I get sicker and can use it upstairs), using water or much electricity. The ventilation tube is very soft and quiet. We purchased the toilet for practical reasons, but the fact that it’s good for the environment is nice.

Urine will go into a bucket (separate from bowel movements) at the toilet’s base and can be easily slipped out to be emptied, washed, and replaced. No compost is necessary for the urine. Depending on use, the urinary bucket, a separate part of the toilet, can be changed every few days or weeks. It’s easy to remove.

Our compost (coco coir) must only be changed every two months unless used more frequently.

There are three ways odors are contained: the first is a ventilation tube, which will be plugged into the wall and running all the time, in use or not. The second is a tight lid that is closed after every use. The other odor blocker will be a mix of water and vinegar sprayed on the sides of the toilet bowl. That will stop an odor from the urine.

The ventilation is on to remove any odor (it feeds outside through a special tube that comes with the toilet), and the water/vinegar spray will neutralize any odor that appears.

So far, so good. The coco coir is soaking as I write this; everything else is set, plugged in, and ready. We are both fascinated and excited. We may end up using it tonight or, at the latest, tomorrow.

The photos show the holes for the urine and bowel movement. The urine will flow through the two smaller holes in the front of the seat. A side lever will open the larger holes for the feces right behind it. After eliminating, you turn a lever on the side three times to mix the bowel movement with the coco coir.

I’ll report back on how I went. Maria will go first and ensure we understand everything we need. I love the small room Dan Rogers built; we plan to brighten it up. Water and vinegar sprays go on the top. I have a feeling we are plunging into the future. These compost toilets are in great demand.

There are water shortages all over the country; this could help.