Practical, environmentally friendly and easy to maintain, a compostable toilets for shepherd’s huts are a practical solution if you are considering an off-grid shepherd’s hut, says our guest blogger Gemma Roe, from Woowoo Waterless Toilets.
Firstly, can you tell us why compost loos are a good option for off-grid shepherd’s huts?
Compost toilets are wonderful for off-grid structures because they can be fitted anywhere whilst providing the same efficiency and experience of a plumbed-in system (at a fraction of the cost). Our most popular toilet for shepherd’s huts are sourced from a Swedish Brand called Separett, which have been tried and tested for more than 40 years and are supplied across the world. They are about as technically savvy as one can get.
Can you explain a little about how they work?
A compost toilet collects waste at source, rather than flushing it away. By separating the liquids from the solids, they effectively eliminate odours which can otherwise be a problem when a mix (slurry!) occurs. The liquids are either diverted away into a soak-away or into a storage container, and the solids are concealed and cleverly tucked away in a storage unit under the seat, composting down with the toilet paper.
A 12v fan and ventilated flue system works continuously in the background, whisking away any odours and keeping the container aerated so as to keep the smells at bay. Depending on the capacity of the system chosen, the user needs to empty the container (lift out the bio-bag) intermittently, which is then popped onto a dedicated compost pile to break down into fertiliser for garden plants and shrubs.
What are the environmental benefits?
It’s no secret that the UK is in the midst of a sewage crisis. Simply put, there is too much pressure on our overburdened sewage system and as a result, our waterways are suffering. That being said, most people enjoy switching to a composting toilet for a multitude of reasons, and the sewage crisis isn’t always the most obvious one. Firstly, there’s a definite cost-saving advantage of avoiding lengthy runs of plumbing and pipework, and reducing the amount of water being consumed by the household. At the time of writing this, the toilets we’ve sold have already saved 350 million litres of perfectly clean drinking water.
Secondly, there is an intrinsic benefit to generating nutrient-rich compost for shrubs and trees which cannot be overstated. Healthy soils promote an abundance of microbes, and the act of enriching our soils with compost from the toilet is a wonderful way to reform our waste into essential nutrients.
Are compostable toilets for shepherd’s huts suitable for any location and climate? Where’s the most far-flung location you have delivered to?
We have supplied compost toilets across the entirety of the UK. You will find WooWooWaterless toilets from the southernmost tip of Cornwall to the farthest-flung islands of Orkney and Shetland in Scotland. Our manufacturers have installed composting systems on glaciers in Iceland, and Helsinki in Finland. Wherever there are people, there is a place for a Woo Woo Waterless toilet!
Can you talk us through the delicate subject of smell and hygiene?
Sadly there’s a stigma around human waste, and it’s commonly believed that the only way to eradicate smells is through the excessive use of precious potable water. Although water is universally accepted as the most effective way to manage sanitation, you’d be surprised to learn that most of our waterless toilets actually smell less than a traditional flushing toilet. This is because of the constant ventilation drawn out by the fan and flue. Having such ventilation ensures that there is never any backflow of odours going back into the bathroom. Something you wouldn’t find with a flushing toilet.
How do you go about choosing which one best suits your needs?
We supply a broad range of toilets, from comprehensive outbuildings with integrated systems and below-ground tanks, to individual units which can be installed in yachts, narrow-boats, tiny homes and shepherd’s huts. As with any product, it’s worth checking the individual merits of each system and cross-reference this with the amount of use you’d be expecting, the size of the space you’re installing it into or the ability you may have to install the output pipes and venting systems. Each project is unique, so we would always advise a phone call to our offices on 0203 0510738 whereby one of our advisers could work with you to specify the correct product for your project.
If you dream of owning an off-grid shepherd’s hut, do drop a member of our friendly team an email at [email protected] and we will be delighted to discuss your plans
