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Composting Toilets. By: Joe Luthman and Brian Prenger. How it works. Instead of flushing, the waste drops down a pipe to the composter, which is hidden from view with a trap door or screen Aerobic bacteria within the waste break it down with the help of air, heat and time.
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Composting Toilets By: Joe Luthman and Brian Prenger
How it works • Instead of flushing, the waste drops down a pipe to the composter, which is hidden from view with a trap door or screen • Aerobic bacteria within the waste break it down with the help of air, heat and time. • The material needs stirred regularly, and materials such as sawdust need to be added to keep the bacteria working
Different Design Options • Self contained system • Change yourself • Air vent • Emergency drain is added for times of heavy usage • Using no electric and no water
Different Design Options • Central Flush System • Has a holding tank • Fan and air vent • Uses electricity for fan • Uses 1 pint of water per flush
Different Design Options • Central Dry System • Largest system • Can be used by up to 9 adults • Larger evaporation area • Uses electricity for fan and heater • Uses no water
What is “green” about a composting toilet? Reduce Composting toilets use less water than standard toilets and reduce the amount of waste sent to wastewater treatment plants Reuse Reuses waste as a fertilizer for plants Recycle Composting toilets recycle waste
Manufacturing and Shipping • Envirolet • Manufactures compost toilets throughout North America • UPS uses carbon neutral shipping • Purchases carbon credits to offset carbon footprint • Will match all carbon neutral shipping orders for 2010 up to $1 million
What is not “green”about a composting toilet • Maintenance • Need to be properly maintained or they could create a biohazard • Health Issues • Using inadequately treated humus as a soil may have possible health consequences • Energy Use • Most composting toilet systems require a power source for a fan to keep the system at 65° F (about 120 watt-hours per day)
EIO-LCA Manufacturing Cost = Roughly $1500
Is this product really green? • We feel that this project is green • While it does still use electricity, the electricity used to power the product could come from an environmentally safe source • The composting toilets could become more efficient in the future