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THIS IS A HUMANURE TOILET
PLEASE READ THIS
INFORMATION SHEET
This
toilet, when properly managed, uses almost no water and creates no
environmental pollution, while recovering soil nutrients to enrich plant
growth.
Proper use of this
toilet requires three important steps:
1)
COVER YOUR CRAP --
Always thoroughly cover the toilet contents with a clean cover material
(sawdust, peat moss, etc.) after each use. There should be enough cover
material inside the toilet at all times to completely eliminate unpleasant
odors. All urine and fecal material should be deposited into the toilet.
2)
COMPOST THE HUMANURE -- Only
empty the toilet contents into a compost bin constructed for this purpose.
An average bin can be built using four standard wooden pallets on edge,
tied together, for example. Never
discard the toilet contents into the environment anywhere else. Erect the
compost bin on a soil base and start the bottom of the bin with an 18”
thick, dense layer of organic material such as hay, straw and/or weeds
(this is the “biological sponge”). Dig a depression into the top
center of the bin contents and deposit the toilet materials there when
emptying a bucket, then always thoroughly cover any new
deposits (see step 3). Collect the toilet material in one bin for at least
a year, then allow the material to age in that bin for another year while
the next bin is filling. In any case, allow the compost bin contents to
age for one year after collection before applying to soil. If the
temperature of the compost is monitored and consistent thermophilic (hot)
conditions are observed, the finished compost may be used for food
production. If in doubt, use the finished compost for horticultural
purposes.
3)
COVER THE COMPOST --
Always cover new deposits in the compost bin with a thorough layer of
fresh, clean (i.e. non-smelly) cover material such as hay, straw, weeds,
leaves or other bulky material. The cover material must be adequate enough
to prevent the release of unpleasant odors from the compost bin. A supply
of cover materials must always be kept handy to the compost bins (a few
bales of straw stacked beside the bin, for example). Part the cover
materials with a pitchfork or shovel before adding the toilet deposit,
then cover again.
OTHER
THINGS TO CONSIDER – Always
wash out the emptied toilet bucket with a little biodegradable soap (dish
soap works well) using a long handled toilet brush. Wash water should be
poured into the compost bin. One gallon of water will clean two
five-gallon buckets. Make sure toilet paper and even toilet paper tubes
are added to the toilet contents. Compost benefits from a variety of
materials, so food, kitchen scraps, garden residues and yard materials
should all be deposited into the compost bin along with the toilet
materials (leaves and weeds can be stockpiled in an adjacent covered bin
and used as needed for cover material). For more information, consult the
Humanure Handbook, free online (humanurehandbook.com) or available via any
book store. The book is available for $25 by calling toll free
866-641-7141.
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