Instructions
Composting toilet - How it works
The SETRENLO® toilet is a modern, composting toilet. However, not everyone is familiar with composting toilets. You might also be wondering, what exactly is a composting toilet?
We can reassure you. The SETRENLO® toilet may be a composting toilet, but you can use it like a conventional toilet. Thanks to the innovative toilet ventilation, it's odorless and looks great too.
To help you get an idea of exactly what a composting toilet is, how it works, and why it really doesn't smell, we've put together a summary of the essentials for you. If you're still not sure after reading this whether it's right for you, please contact us. We'd be happy to advise you and go over the details with you.
Why do I need a composting toilet?
Before we get into how a composting toilet works, let's briefly look at why a composting toilet makes sense.
A conventional toilet, for example, requires a water and sewer connection. Without these two things, it won't work. Now, there are many scenarios where you don't have that. Examples include mobile homes and caravans, on a mountain pasture or on a boat, in a tiny house or in an allotment garden. The list goes on and on. Regardless of the local conditions, people still have urgent needs from time to time. 😏
That's where the composting toilet comes in. Why? It's simple. First of all, it works completely without water. Another advantage is that a composting toilet doesn't require a sewer connection. This means you can set it up wherever you need it. For all of this to work without creating a smell, composting is essential.
What is being separated here and why?
A composting toilet mechanically separates the liquids and solids. This is necessary to prevent the rotting process and prevent unpleasant odors from developing. With a conventional toilet, you don't have to worry about this, because the treatment takes place in the sewage treatment plant. Chemical toilets are also widely used. These don't separate the waste, so chemicals are necessary to prevent the rotting process. Without the addition of chemicals, however, the waste can be further processed as valuable raw materials, thereby doing something good for the environment. You also save valuable water and money.
How does the separation work?
Separation is essential for a composting toilet. However, there are significant differences here. Most commercially available composting toilets rely on a simple separation insert. Simply put, they consist of a funnel at the front for urine and a hole at the back for the rest.
This works in principle, but it does present some challenges. For it to work well, you need to adopt the perfect sitting position. This deters many people from using a composting toilet. The question, "How do I find the right hole?" is something women in particular ask themselves. Things are different with the SETRENLO® toilet.
The SETRENLO® divider insert
A composting toilet simply can't function without a composting insert. Nevertheless, we weren't satisfied with the standard and chose a completely new approach for the SETRENLO® toilet. The goal was to avoid having to change your usual behavior. In other words, you simply sit on the toilet as you normally would. You don't even have to think about whether you need to use one or the other hole.
This works because the shape of the separating insert resembles a conventional toilet bowl. Therefore, you don't have to adjust to using it. The separation still works absolutely reliably, of course, just like any other separating toilet. However, it's much less noticeable because it's achieved via a tear-off edge at the end of the front slope, which isn't visible from above. The separating insert is easy to remove and clean. The separation works seamlessly even on slopes.
Not many composting toilets have a screen to protect the solids container. The SETRENLO® separating insert has one that opens automatically as soon as you sit down. After you get up, it closes gently and with a pleasant delay. A hair trap and a durable odor trap are also located next to the urine container.
What is litter? Do I really need it?
Most manufacturers of composting toilets advertise so-called litter. What is it, and do I really need it?
Litter can be made of various materials. Coconut fiber briquettes are commonly used. These are placed in the solid waste container to absorb moisture and minimize odor development. Litter thus supports composting. Many composting toilets also have an agitator that distributes the waste evenly. However, toilet paper cannot be placed in the composting container; it must be collected outside the composting toilet.
The question, however, is whether litter is really necessary with a composting toilet—and why can't I just put the toilet paper in the back? The simple answer is: "With the SETRENLO® toilet, you do exactly that! No litter and just put the toilet paper in the back!"
Before using the bin for the first time, place a bag in the bin. Once it's full, throw it in the trash. As mentioned, simply add toilet paper as well. Done!
This works with the SETRENLO® composting toilet because we have a completely newly developed toilet vent. It's powerful enough to extract the polluted air. The toilet vent also includes a large activated carbon filter that eliminates unpleasant odors. You can even replace the activated carbon yourself. We provide you with enough activated carbon for the first few years.
So, in summary, litter is completely unnecessary, it just costs unnecessary money, and it takes up a lot of space. But this only works if the composting toilet has suitable ventilation – like the SETRENLO® toilet.
What happens to the excrement?
In the past, the excrement was used as fertilizer in the fields. This has long been banned in the EU. It's a shame, really, because it contains many valuable raw materials.
There are now projects in many countries to make this possible again. For example, urine can be used to generate electricity. Festival organizers are now using it to power the lights in the toilets. We think it's a cool idea! 👍
Unfortunately, all of this is still in its infancy. In practice, it's a bit different. You can easily empty the urine tank into any toilet, as it doesn't contain any chemicals. In remote regions, you often have no other option than dumping the urine into nature. Diluted with a little water, however, it makes a good fertilizer!
When the solids container is full, simply remove the bag and throw it in the trash. This shouldn't usually be a problem.