Compost Toilets - Choosing Between Central and Self Contained Units

If you've decided to shop for a composting toilet, let me be the first to congratulate you!  You've taken the first step toward an eco friendly and economical lifestyle that will save you hundreds of dollars annually in water and sewer costs.  When you begin exploring the realm of modern compost toilets, you'll quickly discover that there are two primary types of systems you must choose from: central and self contained.  In this article, we'll cover the pros and cons of each and provide you with the basic information you need to know to make an informed decision about which is right for you.

We will begin by explaining the basic differences between central and self contained units.  A central system is designed so that the waste is collected in a central chamber, usually located on a lower level such as a basement or cellar.  In the bathrooms, you have toilet fixtures that look very much like traditional toilets, and they are connected to the central composting unit with standard plumbing pipe.

Self contained compost toilets, on the other hand, feature a composting chamber within the toilet itself-sort of an all-in-one unit.  Self contained units are far easier to install than central systems because there is no plumbing pipe to run, besides a typical vent stack and possibly a small emergency drain hookup.

One of the first questions to ask yourself is whether you are comfortable with a waterless waste disposal system.  Some people are immediately drawn to waterless systems because they live in drought areas, or perhaps they are installing the unit in a remote cabin that lacks running water.  On the other hand, you may find it difficult to imagine a toilet that doesn't use water, and for your own personal comfort and convenience, you may prefer to have a water flush system.  If you know you want water, then the choice between central and self contained will be simple.  Only central systems give you the option of water flush toilet fixtures.

The other main advantage of a central system is that you only need one central unit to service an entire home, even if the home has multiple bathrooms.  In the case of a water flush central system, as many as 3 or even 4 toilets can be hooked up to the central composting unit in the basement, provided that all the toilets are located within a reasonable distance of the central unit.  Depending on the type of system you purchase, you'll want to carefully read the installation manual, as it will have very detail specifications as to the maximum run of any length of pipe and the drop required per feet of run.

In most cases, where a compost toilet is being purchased as a replacement for an older fixture, a self contained unit will be the preferred choice simply because of the ease of installation.  However, in new construction homes, central units are a great option if you can purchase the system and have it plumbed in before drywall goes up.  This will allow you to configure the unit exactly as you want, giving you far more options and also more cost savings.

No matter what type of unit you go with, the fact remains that a composting toilet is a far better choice in the long run than anything else.  Not only will you save thousands of dollars in water and septic costs over the life of the unit, but you'll also have the satisfaction of knowing that you’re recycling back to nature and doing something great for our environment.