Why use litter in the dry toilet?
A dry toilet, composting toilet or composting toilet works using the drying principle. In a dry toilet, unlike a composting toilet, the solids are not separated from the liquids. A mixture of urine and faeces takes place. The faeces are collected in a container when going to the toilet. To prevent odours from developing, the excrement must be covered with litter. This litter, for example made from bark mulch or small animal litter, is used to cover faeces and prevent the formation of gases. Secondly, it removes moisture from the solid and liquid components and dries them out. As long as the faeces remain dry, no odours are produced and there is no smell. The same principle is behind a composting toilet or composting toilet, but here the urine is separated from the solids directly during use. The built-in separator insert in the toilet ensures that the two components do not mix. The solids then end up in the solids container and are also covered with litter to prevent the formation of odours.
What can be used as litter in the dry toilet?
Almost any type of litter can be used in a dry litter tray without a separating insert. The important thing, whether with this variant, a composting toilet or a composting toilet, is that the substrate has good absorbency and can bind moisture well. The litter ensures that the faeces dry and remain dry. This is the only way to bind odours and prevent the toilet from smelling. For a classic dry toilet, you can use sawdust, bark mulch, coconut fibres, peat or humus, for example. If you have a composting toilet with a bag in the solids container, you can also use the aforementioned materials as litter. As a composting toilet is intended for long-term use and therefore pre-composting takes place, there is no bag in the solids container, but a built-in agitator. This ensures that the faeces are covered with the substrate. To ensure that the agitator and the constant drying process work properly, only a small selection of litter can be used in a composting toilet. The litter must have the ability to bind moisture but release it again to a certain extent. We recommend coconut fibres for the composting toilet as they have this special property. As this is a natural product, the ecological aspect has been taken into account. One material that should not be used for a dry litter tray is cat litter. Cat litter is often treated with chemical additives, which then start to smell. It also clumps together too much and the drying of faeces is not guaranteed.
When do I decide in favour of a composting toilet with or without litter?
Basically, every type of composting toilet, whether a classic composting toilet or a composting toilet, requires litter. The difference is that with a simpler composting toilet, the litter is not added to the bag in advance. In this case, substrate, which can consist of small animal bedding, sawdust or bark mulch, for example, is added after the toilet has been used. With a composting toilet, on the other hand, the litter is placed in the solid waste container in advance. In order to achieve the best possible result and to ensure the range, we recommend coconut fibres as litter for the composting toilet. The litter is then not added to the solids after using the toilet, but mixed in with the agitator.
How does litter for dry toilets work?
The purpose of the litter is to dry the faeces and keep them dry. This is the only way to bind odours and prevent them from smelling. Using a dry toilet or composting toilet is very simple. The principle of use is the same for composting toilets with or without a separator insert. The faeces are collected either together or separately in a container with a bag. After going to the toilet, the litter is applied to the faeces by hand. Immediate covering ensures that odours are absorbed and no odours are produced. The principle is even simpler with a composting toilet, as there is no need to add litter by hand. With this variant of the composting toilet, the litter is added to the solid waste container, which has an agitator, as soon as it is used. After using the toilet, this is then operated at the touch of a button or manually using a hand/foot crank. The fresh litter (coconut fibres are recommended for a composting toilet) is then transported upwards and the faeces are covered. This also ensures that no odours can form.
Can cat litter, sawdust or wood chippings be used as bedding?
If you have opted for a dry litter tray or composting toilet, you can use almost any substrate that absorbs moisture well and dries as litter. Sawdust, wood chippings, bark mulch or small animal bedding are all suitable. Cat litter is not recommended as bedding, as it clumps too much and is often mixed with chemical additives. This means that odour retention cannot be guaranteed and odours can develop in the toilet. With a composting toilet, you should only use litter that is absorbent and can bind moisture well, but also release it again. As pre-composting takes place here, the faeces remain in the solid waste canister for longer and must be kept dry for a longer period of time. Coconut fibres are very suitable for this, as they have all the properties that the composting toilet needs for proper use. If you don't have any coconut fibres to hand, peat can also be used as an alternative. If necessary, you can also use a mixture of these two substrates.
Where should I dispose of the litter from the composting toilet?
The litter from composting toilets can be disposed of in the residual waste. In a classic composting toilet, there is a bag in the solids container, which can be tied together if necessary and disposed of in the waste bin. For the sake of the environment, it is advisable to use a bag that is compostable. The higher-quality composting toilet does not have a bag in the solid waste canister; the solid waste is collected directly in this canister. The substrate can also be disposed of in the residual waste, but this must first be transferred to a bin liner. A more environmentally friendly option is to dispose of it in your own composter. A composting toilet is specially developed for long-term use and carries out a type of composting with the help of microorganisms during its service life. If the used litter is emptied into the composter, the composting process can continue and, together with other garden waste, valuable humus is created. This can be used together with, for example, bark mulch for non-edible plants in your own garden. This supports the natural cycle of nature. If some litter remains in the solid waste canister after emptying, it does not need to be specially cleaned. The soil and the microorganisms it contains will serve as a compost starter for the next filling and composting can continue.
Does the composting toilet really not stink?
No, if composting toilets or composting toilets are used correctly, no odours can be detected. It is important that the solids are covered with a suitable, absorbent litter after using the toilet. Covering it quickly means that no gases can form and therefore no odour. The urine, which is collected separately in a composting toilet and composting toilet, should be emptied after three days at the latest. If no medication or special food such as asparagus is consumed, urine itself is odourless. As mentioned above, this odour neutrality is guaranteed for up to approx. 3 days. In special circumstances, such as a gastrointestinal illness or very tropical temperatures, the composting toilet may need to be emptied more often in order to maintain odourlessness. As more moisture could end up in the solid waste container than the litter can absorb, the contents of the container may become too moist and therefore start to smell.
How is litter supplied?
Depending on the type of toilet and litter you have chosen, it will be delivered differently. For a composting toilet, such as our OGO Origin, coconut fibres are best suited. These can be conveniently ordered online and delivered directly to your door. Coconut fibres are supplied as solid bricks, as they require little space for transport. The manufacturer often offers a starter set containing everything you need to fill your new composting toilet for the first time. The shipping costs vary depending on the supplier, but within Germany they tend to be in the lower range.