Are composting toilets expensive?
Are they really worth the price?
Is it possible to find a cheap composting toilet alternative?
It’s not too expensive to install a composting toilet, but the initial setup fees may be higher than a traditional toilet. Although composting toilets do eventually pay for themselves in the amount of money you save on water and electricity (as well as potential plumbing repairs), the cost at the beginning can be off-putting to many.
If you’re looking for a way to install a composting toilet without having to pay a fortune at the beginning, we’ve got you covered! Take a look at our article below to help you learn how to build a composting toilet for much less than you’d spend on buying a premade new one.
Remember that this project isn’t for everyone, but it’s not too difficult to complete if you have a little bit of DIY know-how. Check out the materials and steps listed below to learn more.
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Building Your Own Composting Toilet
When you want to build a composting toilet for yourself and don’t want to spend a lot of money to make it happen, the steps below are a great place to get started. This method is a very simple one, and you may want to upgrade eventually. However, this homemade toilet can give you a good idea of what it’s like to use and work with a composting toilet, so you can choose whether or not to save up for an upgrade in the future.
Materials Needed
- 2 large buckets, 5-gallon preferred
- It’s best to choose plastic buckets for this purpose, as it may be too difficult to clean other materials.
- Plywood sheet
- Wood
- The amount of wood you need depends on the height of the buckets. Choose pieces of wood that are the same height as your buckets, and pick up four or five pieces of this size.
- Toilet seat hardware
- Any hardware store should have this readily available for purchase.
- Screws and power drill
- You can use nuts and bolts if you prefer, but screws should work just as well.
- Nails and hammer
- Miter saw
- Optionally, rubber seal
Steps
- Begin by cutting a hole in one sheet of plywood. This hole should be exactly the same measurements as the top of one of your buckets.
- The idea is to get the bucket to fit snugly inside the hole, with no room for potential spillover around it.
- Use the miter saw and work slowly to ensure you get the hole right.
- You may optionally attach a rubber seal around the bucket to make the fit even more snug.
- Attach the toilet seat hardware to the piece of plywood, over the hole that you just cut. Use your power drill to screw the toilet seat and lid onto the plywood. Follow the directions on the toilet seat hardware’s packaging to make sure you line up and attach everything correctly.
- Don’t screw it in too tightly, or you may crack the plywood. On the other hand, don’t leave it too loose, as you still want a tight enough seal on everything to prevent leaks.
- Use the remaining pieces of wood to build a box around the bucket. The measurements are up to you, as long as the box fits around the bucket and provides a sturdy place for the household to sit while using the toilet.
- Use screws or nuts and bolts to secure these pieces of wood together and keep them sturdy and upright when the toilet is in use.
- Screw the piece of plywood, including the toilet seat lid, onto the wooden box you just made. Take time to make sure this is all secure before continuing.
- Place the box and lid over the bucket snugly. Keep another bucket close by for easy switching when the time comes.
- Add sawdust or other absorbent material into the bottom of the bucket that is currently in use. Keep more absorbent material nearby, and instruct everyone in the household to throw a little bit in every time they use the toilet.
- Now you’re ready to use your composting toilet! You can simply go to the bathroom just like you would with any other toilet, but remember there’s nothing to flush. You can use toilet paper and throw it into the composting toilet along with the waste, but don’t forget to add absorbent material every time you go to ensure the compost breaks down as it should.
- When the bucket is about ¾ of the way full, it will be time to switch it out for the second bucket.
- When you switch buckets, you have the chance to clean out the first one. Wear protective clothing just in case, and wipe down the inside and outside of the bucket after you empty it. Just use hot water and soap, or you may risk killing the good bacteria and destroying your compost before it even has a chance to get started.
- Chemical cleaners cannot be used in or around a composting toilet.
Conclusion
As you can see, it’s not too difficult to make your own composting toilet. However, it may not be the easiest solution for some, and many individuals still prefer to purchase a composting toilet that does everything it needs to do instead.
So where should you look if you still prefer to buy? What is the cheapest composting toilet available for purchase?
Nature’s Head Dry Composting Toilet
The Nature’s Head Dry Composting Toilet is one of the most affordable full-scale composting toilets currently available on the market. This toilet comes in a granite-style gray color and is compact enough to fit into most RVs if needed. This option features a hand crank as well as an easy-to-empty liquids receptacle to make operation of the toilet more convenient than ever before. And with a traditional toilet shape and design, this option is easy for the whole family to learn to use!
Pros
- The toilet features hardware that is made of stainless steel, so you don’t have to worry about it rusting or about being able to clean it thoroughly.
- This toilet has separate receptacles for urine and feces, so there’s no need to worry about the tank overflowing.
Cons
- The molded plastic creates many spaces where gnats and flies can lay eggs, which may increase the pest volume within this toilet, especially during the warmer months.
- The solid waste compartment gets very heavy and may be difficult to pick up, move, and empty when the time comes, especially without assistance.
In the end, it’s up to you to decide whether or not you want to build a composting toilet, or if you’d rather buy one instead. Take your time and consider the options to make sure you’re getting this offer that will work best for your household’s needs. And if necessary, don’t forget to speak with the other members of the household who will be using the toilet, too. This way, everyone who’s involved will be able to have a say in which option to choose, and you may be able to make a decision more easily.
Last update on 2022-12-27 at 03:30 Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.