The Next Generation of Composting Toilet

This project aimed to create a new generation of composting toilet that can process human faeces (humanure) in less than one week. There are many composting toilets available today, but they are slow (~ 6–24 months) and quickly become full. By adding a heating element and control to the composter, the organic matter was converted into nutrient rich fertiliser in 3 days and the mass was reduced by 76% in one week. Further research needs to be done to optimise the composter to reduce energy consumption and improve pathogen destruction capabilities. There are promising signs that this design of composting toilet will be able to provide affordable off grid sanitation to those that need it, whilst providing fertiliser to support local agriculture.