Eco lo g i c a l To i l e t s 133
Do not put garbage in the toilet
For ecological toilets to work, they must be used
only for human waste. Women having monthly
bleeding may safely use ecological toilets.
But sanitary pads and other products should not
be put in the toilet.
Ecological toilets cannot be used to dispose
Do not put garbage in the toilet.
of things that will not break down, such as
cans, bottles, plastic, tampons, or large amounts of paper. It is OK to use small
amounts of paper, leaves, sawdust, and other plant matter because these things
break down into soil.
When solid fertilizer is safe to use
The contents of a dry toilet are ready to remove when they are dry and have
little or no smell. For this to happen, they should be kept dry inside the toilet
chamber for 1 year.
When you think the contents are ready to remove, open the chamber. If the
pile is wet, add dry plant matter or soil mixed with ash and let it sit for several
more weeks. If the pile is dry and does not have a strong smell, it is ready.
Remove it with a shovel.
After drying out for 1 year, most
germs will be dead and the material
should be safe to add directly to garden
soil. But if there is any doubt, the waste
can be stored in open bags or buckets
in a dry, sunny area or added it to a
compost pile.
Remove dry material for use as fertilizer.
It is important to wear gloves and shoes
when handling human waste, and to
wash well after emptying the toilet.
A Community Guide to Environmental Health 2012