space
About UNEP UNEP offices News centre Publications Calendar Awards Milestones UNEP Store
space
space
United Nations Environment Programme
Division of Technology, Industry and Economics
 top image
  space
space space space
  UNEP>DTIE>IETC space
space
Newsletter and Technical Publications
<International Source Book On Environmentally Sound Technologies
for Wastewater and Stormwater Management>

4.1.2 Composting toilet

Rather than decomposition of the faecal sludge under anaerobic conditions (no oxygen) in the pit of a pit latrine, decomposition under aerobic conditions (with oxygen) can be promoted in an above ground (elevated) latrine (Figure 2.16). Air can be introduced through an opening to pass through the sludge and exit through the vent, while excess liquid is allowed to drain for collection or evaporation. With two adjoining composting chambers or vaults used alternately, the process of composting in an already full chamber can be allowed to proceed until the chamber is to be used again, and produce mature compost for direct re-use in the garden. Other household organic wastes (e.g. food wastes) can be added to the faecal sludge, and materials such as newspaper or sawdust can be added to balance the carbon to nitrogen ratio for optimal composting. Because mature compost takes several months to produce under ambient temperatures, it is desirable for the chambers to be sized to hold at least 6 months of wastes. Worms can also be added to assist with vermi-composting. Further details on handling and composting of sludge can be found in section 2 (5).


Figure 2.16: Composting toilet

 

      Main Menu

          

  • Major Projects
  • DEBRI Project
  • DEBRI Project
  • Iraqi Marshlands Project
  • Iraqi Marshlands Project
  • IETC's Tools
  • Environmentally Sound Technology Information System
  • ESTIS facilitates creation and management of websites on the Internet, sharing and searching of information across multiple ESTIS websites, publishing of information by non-web designers and decentralized management of content.
  • WiseWater
  • WiseWater is a spreadsheet application for projecting reductions in Water Consumption Patterns after application of Environmentally Sound Technologies. It is included as part of the publication "Every Drop Counts: Environmentally Sound Technologies for Urban and Domestic Water Use Efficiency".
  • Pamolare
  • PAMOLARE is an environmental modelling tool to forecast the changes in water quality leading to the eutrophication of Lakes and Reservoirs.
    The versatility of PAMOLARE allows for its use in decision making process as well as for training purposes.