You may be familiar with the composting toilet in its earliest form: the outhouse. While an outhouse may seem like nothing more than a hole in the ground, it’s a gateway for your waste to re-enter an ecosystem’s delicate cycles, nourishing the earth that grows your food.
A composting toilet is essentially just a portable outhouse that’s easier to clean and doesn’t breed spiders that bite your behind.
When you’re looking for a composting toilet for your RV, you need to know…
- Why you’re getting a composting toilet vs a traditional flush toilet,
- What to consider when choosing one,
- Ways you can maintain your composting toilet for your RV’s sake.
We’ll also share the top four composting toilets for your RV (all of which come highly recommended).
Key Takeaway
- Composting toilets save water and space by turning solid waste into compost, removing the need for black tanks and plumbing.
When to Choose an RV Composting Toilet over a Traditional Toilet
There’s a time and a place for everything. If you’re cruising on well-traveled roads and stopping at RV resorts with sewage hookups, then an RV toilet is the most efficient way to safely dispose of solid waste. With a basic black water tank, you can simply empty it into a dump station when full.
But if you are building a small camper and need to conserve space or you’re the type to take the road less traveled and enjoy long, secluded stays off the grid, then you’ll want to look into an RV composting toilet.
So how does a composting toilet work?
Composting toilets use natural enzymes and organic matter to break down solid waste into compost. They also use urine diverters to separate liquid waste from solid waste.
These toilets are great for owners of small campers, and those campers are into off-the-grid camping, off-roading, and boondocking because they…
- Conserve water
- Don’t require a holding tank
- Lighten your camper
- Save space
- And – if you’re permanently off the grid – you get the bonus of making your own compost to feed your garden.
Okay, but what about the smell?
Composting toilets combat the sewage smell in two ways. First, they have their own ventilation fans that pull those awful odors out of your RV. Second, a plastic flap physically covers the depository. When you sit down, the spring opens the flap. And when you get up, it flips right back in place.
Some models also include a kind of filter to prevent the smell from drifting back up when the flap opens.
The trick is finding the right composting toilet that fits in your camper.
Top Composting Toilet Options for RVs
Here are the top 3 options in the market. All of these options have…
- Separate depositories for solid and liquid human waste
- Take up less space than a regular toilet
When you’re choosing between toilets, what you need to know is…
- What capacity do you need? If you are going to use it full-time, then you want something with a large capacity that you don’t have to empty every week.
- What space do you need to install it in? Before you buy, double-check your bathroom dimensions to ensure the toilet will fit.
- How much maintenance is it going to require? Know how often you need to empty and clean the toilet since moisture control is critical to an odorless, well-maintained compost toilet.
- What features do you care about? There are simple compost toilets that require manual sifting, and there are completely hands-free toilets that do everything except take out the waste.
#1: OGO Origin™
Cost: $984.99
The OGO Origin™ is the Cadillac model when it comes to compost toilets. Its clean, space-saving profile makes it perfect for DIY RV projects and tight spaces.
With its patented urine diversion system, a liquid level sensor, large solid waste capacity, and power agitation, you never have to touch it to check levels or mix the compost. They also offer different fan options to fit your power supply needs and activated charcoal filters to trap rogue smells before they stink up your space.
Nature’s Head Composting Toilet
Cost: $995
The Nature’s Head Composting Toilet is a practical choice for short-term travels. For two people, the compost should be emptied every 4- 8 weeks. This model includes a 12-volt vent fan for effective odor control.
Air Head Dry Composting Toilet
Cost: $1,095
The Air Head Dry Composting is designed for convenience and efficiency. Its solid waste capacity for two people is approximately one month. Translated into the amount of waste (rather than time duration), it can hold 2 gallons of liquid waste in total. It is not the largest capacity, but its small profile makes it convenient for tight situations.
Unlike many competitors, the Air Head Dry Composting Toilet uses captive screws, a comfortable toilet seat with rubber seals, and a flexible 12-volt fan design. These design choices help the unit work more efficiently to manage waste.
Separett Villa 9215
Cost: $989
The Separett Villa 9215 is a Swedish-designed composting toilet that brings a touch of European innovation to the world of RV composting toilets. With a 50L ejector tank for managing waste, you’ll have ample capacity for those long trips.
For a family of five, the tank should be emptied every 4-6 weeks. It also comes with a five-year warranty, ensuring the best value for your investment.
Don’t Forget the Maintenance Add-Ons
You don’t want to accidentally breed an infestation of grubs and dung beetles in your camper because you didn’t keep up with the maintenance. So make sure you maintain it regularly.
- Empty your toilet: How often you remove the composting human waste depends on your toilet capacity and usage, but it’s usually between 4 and 8 weeks. Of course, the urine bottle needs to be emptied every couple of days. You also need to empty it before you put it in storage.
- Regulate the moisture: the composting process requires a drying environment. That’s why many composting toilets require you to add organic materials like coco coir (coconut husks) to your compost bin. These dry organics soak up excess moisture from the waste, preventing smells and bugs from growing in your camper.
- Agitate your solids bin: Some models have an electric agitator, so all you have to do is press a button to mix the contents, allowing the composted matter to dry in the compost bin.
- Stock your disposables: You’ll need more than just composable toilet paper. You should keep an organic medium like coco coir or sphagnum peat moss on hand to mix with your solid, extra disposal bags for emptying the compost, and any additional filters your model may require – like the charcoal filter in the OGO composting toilet.
- Clean your toilet properly: because you need to keep your solids bin dry, using fresh water to clean your toilet is out. Most manufacturers suggest using a spray bottle of water or cleaner to spray the bowl and then wipe it clean.
With the right maintenance practices, your ideal composting toilet will serve you well for years to come, just like a well-maintained compost pile.
Summary
Now that you’ve renovated your RV with a composting toilet, you’re prepared to hit the road without worrying about where the next dump station is.
But remember, a key component of RV maintenance is proper storage. Don’t make the mistake of storing your RV improperly. You should always make sure your RV is covered and protected from the sun and falling debris. Otherwise, your investment–along with all of your hard work–will go down the drain.
The cost of covered/enclosed RV storage protects the investment you’ve made in your RV.
But where can you find covered or enclosed RV storage in your area? That’s where we come in.
Neighbor is a peer-to-peer RV storage marketplace offering covered/enclosed RV storage that’s up to 50% cheaper than traditional storage options. And we made it easy to find listings (from pre-screened hosts) nearest you!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Benefit of Using a Composting Toilet in an RV?
Using a composting toilet in your RV can conserve water, effectively control odors, and offer eco-friendly waste management. Additionally, it eliminates the need for a black tank, freeing up space in your RV.
Which Is Better: Coco Coir or Peat Moss?
Coco Coir is a better medium because it absorbs moisture and mixes easily with the solid waste to keep the moisture level down. Peat moss also works to absorb moisture but doesn’t mix in as easily as coco coir. In a worst-case scenario, peat moss can breed the perfect environment for a swarm of flies to inhabit.
How to Install a Composting Toilet in an RV?
To install a composting toilet in your RV, you’ll need to route a vent hose outside, wire a fan into the electric system, and potentially customize the unit to fit the space. It’s a bit of work, but it’s doable and worth it in the end!
What Are Some Common Issues With Composting Toilets?
Composting toilets commonly face issues with the auger not mixing compost properly, leaks at the crank handle connection, and difficulties cleaning the liquids tank. Maintaining these areas is essential to efficient waste management.
How Can I Manage Odor Issues in Composting Toilets?
To manage odor issues in a composting toilet, maintain waste separation, and monitor the urine container. You can also use white vinegar in a spray bottle to wipe and clean the toilet frequently.
