Can you use a composting toilet in a caravan?
Yes of course, a composting toilet or dry toilet can be used as normal in a caravan, motorhome or camper, just like a chemical toilet. The only difference in use is that composting toilets do not require any water or additives to be used. Another difference is that no special disposal is required for composting toilets. Thanks to the built-in separator insert, urine and solids are automatically separated from each other during use and discharged into the respective tank. This means that you can easily dispose of the solids in the residual waste and tip the liquids into a public toilet or drain.
Why does a composting toilet in a caravan make sense?
A composting toilet in a motorhome or caravan makes sense for many different reasons. One very important reason is that you no longer need to carry chemicals with you for a composting toilet and therefore no separate disposal is necessary. The built-in separator insert ensures that urine and faeces are separated from each other during use and discharged into two separate containers. As the urine tank can hold several litres, it can be used for up to 3 days before it needs to be emptied. The solids tank is equipped with a bag or agitator and, depending on the model, has a range of up to 6 weeks. This variant is then referred to as a composting toilet. Another reason in favour of a composting toilet is the lack of odour. By immediately covering and drying the faeces, no gases can form and the toilet remains odourless.
Advantages of a composting toilet when travelling?
A composting toilet, dry toilet or composting toilet offers many advantages when travelling in a motorhome or caravan. Depending on which model you choose, you can benefit from different advantages.
Advantages of composting toilets:
- No chemicals: Because a composting toilet works without chemical additives, it is good for the environment and for your wallet, as you don't need any expensive additives
- No water: Composting toilets work without water, making them ecological and water-saving on long journeys
- No odour: The constant drying process in the solid waste container means there are no odours in the motorhome
- Self-sufficient: No special disposal is required for composting toilets, so you are not dependent on disposal stations and can be self-sufficient.
- Inexpensive to maintain: The litter, such as coconut fibres, sawdust or small animal litter, is available at a reasonable price. This means that going to the toilet is not a major cost factor
- Portable: Compact, classic composting toilets without a fixed connection are portable and can be used anywhere, anytime
- Low maintenance: Easy emptying and cleaning of the toilet saves time and effort
- Longer range: Composting toilets in particular have a longer range and can be used for up to 6 weeks without emptying
What different models of composting toilet are there?
There is the classic, compact model for short-term use and a higher-quality composting toilet for long-term use in motorhomes. In a simple composting toilet with a separating insert, the solid waste is collected in a bag in the solids container and covered with litter by hand. This model does not need to be permanently installed and can be set up anywhere and at any time. Instead of a bag, the composting toilet has a built-in agitator in the solids container, which takes over the function of adding litter. This composting toilet must be permanently installed in the caravan or camper as it requires a permanent power connection.
Is the composting toilet ecological and clean?
Yes, because no chemicals or water are used in a dry toilet, composting toilets are very ecological and clean to dispose of. No additives are used, so the end product is a purely natural product that can also be returned to nature. The built-in separator insert ensures that liquids and faeces drain separately into the tank provided. This means that the urine can be diluted with water and used as a fertiliser for non-edible plants. The residues in the solid waste container can either be disposed of in the residual waste or composted in your own compost and used as valuable hummus. Neither during use nor when emptying the composting toilet do you come into contact with the residues, which makes the composting toilet a very clean affair.
What sizes are available for solids and urine containers?
The size of the solids and urine tank depends on the size of the composting toilet. A compact model, such as our OGO Nomad S, has a tank for urine that can hold 5 litres. The capacity for faeces is freely selectable, as we do not have a bucket in the camping toilet. A bag of any size can be inserted here. With classic composting toilets, the bucket usually has a volume of 6 - 10 litres, which corresponds to approx. 5 - 8 uses. A composting toilet has a higher capacity due to its size. Depending on the model, the urine container can hold up to 9 litres and the solids container even up to 26 litres. This is equivalent to a service life of up to 60 uses.
How does the emptying of composting toilets for caravans work?
Emptying a composting toilet is very simple. No chemicals are added to a dry toilet, so you don't have to rely on a special disposal station when travelling. The urine, which is collected separately in a tank, can be disposed of in the toilet or drain at a service station. It can also be emptied in the countryside while travelling, where nobody will be bothered. The solid components are collected in a rubbish bag and can be disposed of in the residual waste.
How do you retrofit a caravan with a composting toilet?
For retrofitting, the built-in chemical toilet must be removed from the caravan. To do this, first remove the cassette and unscrew the camping toilet from its anchorage. Once the chemical toilet has been released, it can be removed. After removal, the power cable must be cut and then well insulated. The water connection must also be disconnected as it is no longer required. It is important to close it well afterwards so that no water can escape. The new composting toilet can then be installed or connected.