What are the key pros and cons of an RV composting toilet? Are you considering installing a composting toilet in your motorhome? Well, here’s what you need to know. The main advantages are – they are eco-friendly, they conserve water, and they allow you to travel off-grid.
The key disadvantages are the initial cost, the installation requirements, and the fact they need an electrical connection for a fan. Below we cover everything you need to know about RV Composting Toilet Pros and Cons.
What Are the Pros and Cons of an RV Composting Toilet?
Installing a composting toilet in your RV or motorhome comes with a wide range of excellent benefits. They allow you to operate independently of campsites and remove the need for a sewage hook-up. They’re also environmentally friendly and greatly reduce your water consumption.
However, there are some drawbacks you need to be aware of before making the switch. Key to these are the initial cost. They can be expensive to install, especially if you have to hire a professional to help with the installation. Then there’s the electrical power supply and ongoing maintenance to consider. You need to weigh up if they’re the right option for your specific needs.
PROS
What are the advantages of an RV composting toilet? Below we take a look at the key pros of adding a composting toilet to your motorhome. Let’s take a look.
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
One of the greatest advantages of composting toilets is that they are environmentally friendly. They use little to no water, fewer chemicals, and reduce the burden on sewage treatment facilities. They convert human waste to compost – a much safer material that can be easily disposed of. If you want to be kind to the environment and reduce your carbon footprint, choose a composting toilet.
CONSERVES WATER
An RV composting toilet conserves water by separating liquid and solid waste without the need to flush the chamber with water. Liquid waste is diverted into a separate container, while solid waste is deposited in a composting pot. The solid waste is then naturally broken down using aerobic bacteria. Flushing water is not required.
FREEDOM TO TRAVEL OFF-GRID
A compost toilet gives you the freedom to travel wherever you wish, even off-grid. You are no longer tied to campsites and utility hookups. You have your own independent toilet, so you can hit the open road and travel wherever you wish. A dream for the free-spirited and boondockers.
REMOVES NEED FOR SEWAGE CONNECTION
It also removes the need for a sewage connection. A composting toilet processes human waste ‘on-site’. This means you do not have to hook up to a sewage connection in a campsite. This self-contained toilet system removes the need for plumbing and allows your toilet to work independently without the need for any additional infrastructure.
LESS ODOR
It’s true. A composting toilet emits less odor than a regular motorhome cassette toilet. Managed correctly, the only smell you will notice is a rich earthy smell from the natural compost. The liquid and solid waste are separated and an electric fan keeps the composting chamber aerated. The air is then expelled from the RV via an outlet vent. Your RV will smell fresher when you switch from a cassette toilet to a composting alternative.
TAKES UP LESS SPACE
They save space too. It’s true. A composting toilet takes up less space in your RV. Great news in a motorhome, where space is at a premium. There is no black tank to deal with. All waste is separated into either a liquid waste chamber or a solid waste composting pot. The liquids can be easily disposed of as necessary. And, the composting pot will only have to be emptied every few weeks. Happy days.
LESS EMPTYING
And, they require less emptying compared to black water tanks. In general, an RV composting toilet needs to be emptied every 3-4 weeks, depending on use. This compares favorably to the black water tank which requires much more regular emptying. It’s all down to the separation of liquids and solids, the elimination of flushing water, and the natural composting process that neutralizes the waste.
COMPOST AS END PRODUCT
Even better, your waste product is converted to natural compost. In time, a composting toilet breaks down harmful human waste into less harmful, natural compost. And, this compost has value. It can be used in a wide range of garden applications. But, not for food-based plants. Compost enriches the soil by adding nutrients. It can be used as a soil amendment for ornamental shrubs and trees.
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CONS
What are the disadvantages of an RV composting toilet? It can’t all be positive, right? Correct. There are some cons associated with using a composting toilet in your motorhome. And, you need to consider the pros and cons of an RV composting toilet before committing to switching over to one. Let’s take a look at the key cons of adding a composting toilet to your RV.
COST
The main disadvantage of installing a composting toilet is cost. RV composting toilets can be costly. And, it is this initial investment that deters many. Depending on the system you choose, you can expect to pay in the region of $500-$1,500. This figure includes installation costs. The initial cost can be kept to a minimum if you perform the installation yourself. However, if you have to hire a professional you can expect to pay much more.
INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS
Composting toilets come with some basic installation requirements. First, you need to find space for the toilet unit, liquid waste chamber, and solid waste composting pot. All need to be securely fastened to the vehicle to prevent movement while you are traveling. And, you’ll need to install a fan to aerate the composting pot. This fan requires an electrical connection.
POWER SOURCE REQUIREMENT
A composting toilet requires electricity. To operate correctly, it needs a fan. The fan provides a flow of air into the composting pot. This air is needed to facilitate the aerobic microbial process that breaks down human waste and converts it to compost. Without a fan, this process is inhibited. It also helps reduce unpleasant odors, by expelling the chamber air through a vent and preventing it from coming back into the RV.
ONGOING MAINTENANCE
There’s also ongoing maintenance to consider. A composting toilet requires regular attention and periodic manual intervention to continue operating efficiently. You’ll have to regularly empty the liquid waste chamber, add organic material to the solid waste pot, and occasionally mix the compost. These are tasks that put many people off. No one wants to get up close and personal with their waste chambers. Bear this in mind if you’re considering installing a compost toilet.
SAFE WASTE DISPOSAL
Then there’s safe waste disposal. Both the liquid and solid waste chambers need to be periodically emptied. This can present a challenge for some people. For example, the liquid waste needs to be emptied into an appropriate disposal site, in accordance with local regulations. And, the solid waste compost, can be usually buried away from water sources or edible plants once fully decomposed and sanitized. However, you’ll need to check your local rules and regulations for this one too.
NEW SKILL BASE
You’ll have to learn some new basic skills to properly operate a composting toilet. But don’t worry, there’s nothing overly challenging. For example, you’ll have to learn how to balance the moisture levels in the composting pot and how to manage odors. This involves adding organic material to the chamber and ensuring adequate ventilation. And, you’ll need to brush up on your hygiene practices to ensure the safe handling of all hazardous materials.
PROBLEMS WITH MOISTURE
There can be issues with moisture too. Especially if the toilet is not managed correctly. And, moisture issues can lead to unpleasant odors, reduced decomposition, and the presence of harmful pathogens. To prevent the build-up of moisture in a composting chamber you need to make sure the chamber is adequately vented and that the waste material is not overly compact. This is achieved by regularly adding dry organic material such as peat moss and occasionally agitating the mix.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rosa Montero
- B.S. Environmental Science
- Avid Explorer & Globe Trotter
Rosa is a graduate of the University of Arizona, where she delved into the world of green energy and environmental science. Originally from sunny Fresno, California, she moved to Arizona to study. Rosa is the proud owner of a vintage VW camper van. Her trusty companion on countless adventures.
She has a deep passion for clean energy and a love for protecting our planet. Rosa immerses herself in nature through long hikes in Arizona’s famous parks. Grand Canyon National Park and Sedona Red Rock Country. are two of her favorites.
When not exploring on foot, she enjoys cycling. Rosa’s enthusiasm for fighting climate change and safeguarding Mother Earth shines through in her work for RV Solar Power Hub.
