Composting Overview
Composting toilets use biological processes to deal with the disposal and processing of human waste into organic compost material without the need for harsh chemicals or other additives. Composting is the process of producing compost through aerobic decomposition of biodegradable organic matter. The decomposition is performed primarily by aerobic microbes, although larger creatures such as ants, nematodes, and oligochaete worms also contribute. The aerobic microbes break down matter in the presence of moisture and air, by oxidizing the carbon in the organic material to carbon dioxide gas, and converting hydrogen atoms to water vapour. Composting can be divided into the two areas of home composting and industrial composting. Both scales of composting use the same biological processes, however techniques and different factors must be taken into account. The objective with a composting toilet is to destroy all the harmful pathogens, and turn the waste nutrients into fertile soil. Typically, the waste breaks down to 10% of its original volume. Most toilet composting systems are mouldering, or low-temperature, toilets, where the waste is left for long enough that pathogens break down naturally. Rather than allowing nature to take its slow course, a composter provides an optimal environment in which decomposers can thrive. To encourage the most active microbes, a compost pile needs the correct mix of the following ingredients:
Decomposition happens even in the absence of some of these ingredients, but not as quickly or as pleasantly. |