First I want to say that, though a simple bucket can work, alone, particularly for a
single person, it does not properly address the sanitation issues involved in dealing
with wastes from multiple humans. Therefore, can be a potential danger. That said,
it is still better than a porta-potty that also pollutes water by mixing it in, too.

A "Sawdust Toilet" is the next step up, and is effectively a big improvement.

Here is how to build one:

SawDust Toilet I

SawDust Toilet II

Q - What about these simple bucket toilets I hear about?

A bucket is a good start. For a more substantial use, a series of buckets can be used
as canisters, which set inside of another enclosure, which is usually vented. It is easy
to set up a composting toilet in your house. There are plenty (probably a hundred on
the net) instruction of how to do this.

Human waste is completely natural. The problems are a result of mixing it together,
from multiple humans, and of concentrating it to a degree that natural can not process
it fast enough. There are ways to speed up the processing, but many municipal waste
systems, still don't fully overcome the concentrating they do. We can process it on
site, much more economically, and it does not require a septic tank.

However, proper, sanitary processing of human waste, though it may look simple
once it is set up, is really much more than just crapping in a bucket, and throwing
it on a pile, just as water bourn waste disposal systems are more than a bowl,
and a flush.

Q - What do you do with the waste when you take it outside?

There are a variety of choices.

1) Urine can simply be left in a sealed container for 2-3 days, then mixed with
about ten parts water, and safely sprayed out on a lawn, or poured into the soil
around decorative plants. In China, they leave the container out in the sun for
a month, to also get the advantage of ultra violet sterilization, then use it on
food crops.

2) Some people just dump everything in holes. This must be judged like most
organic pollution. If there is enough nature, and little enough waste, that it
can be absorbed without harming the environment, then it is a good way to
dispose of the waste. It will "return to nature" and only enhance the soil.
If it is being done in too small an area, then it is bad, simple. There is
nothing more noble about mixing it with the soil of plants you set out,
than having it feed the ones, that nature planted.

3) If it is dry, and you used a plastic liner, pack it up and drop it
in the trash. This is probably illegal in most areas, so though there
could be an intense discussion on the issue, I will simply skip over it.

4) Dependent on some relatively small variations in the toilet and
the treatment after, they can lead to very different means of
composting. There are two basic approaches. One is what I will
refer to as wet composting. This technique is well addressed in
the "Humanure Handbook" which can be read online for free at:

"The Humanure Handbook"

The book is sort of the bible of composting toilets, but for a
growing number of those who are interested in these technologies,
it is just the old testament. There is a new technology emerging,
which works on a totally different means of killing the primary
pathogens. This other technology has a few names. One is "Urine
Diverting Toilets" Another is "Desiccating Toilets."  I will
discuss this type in detail later.

Right now we are discussing disposal of the waste, after the toilet.
Composting treats it, in order to convert it, in an aerobic process,
into safe humus to use in your garden, or return it safely to nature,
where it will feed wild things. That by definition makes it a very
desirable route for those interested in producing fertilizer.

It is generally advised that human compost not be used on food
crops, but it is still done in much of the world, without problems.
If you do choose to use it in your food garden, it would be highly
advisable to let it compost for perhaps two years longer, and
perhaps to mix it with other rich soil long before putting it in
the garden. That may be very redundant, but safety usually is.
You will make your own decision. just make this one, based on
good science, not faith. I wouldn't do it.

Some people construct a compost pile enclosure. That is another
use for old pallets. Usually there are two piles. The pallets act
as walls around them. Construction is discussed in the Humanure
Handbook, as well as many other places on the web.

5) Some of the smaller toilets, and the bucket toilets, allow
for the containers, or bags to be placed outside, with top open,
in a place out of the rain, so that the processing can continue
in the container. Lines blend between approaches, and often
these containers get dumped onto the compost pile after six
months or so. In arid climates, the waste will fairly quickly
desiccate, and will be safe for disposal.

Q - How could I transfer waste from a trash bag, 
or compactor bags into a compost system?

In the two ways described above. Either you simply set the
bag on the ground with the top spread open, or you dump it
onto the pile. Again, drainage, can be an issue with the open
bag exposed to much rain.
BTW.....with urine separating systems, ordinary garbage
bags seem to be strong enough. At least that has been my
experience. A second bag could be used as insurance, then
reused as a primary bag. I simply burn the bags after
disposing of the waste in my forest. They are too little
polluting material, and too soiled to look for alternatives.

Q - How could I make a compost system where
the waste would be able to be used later?

I will assume that by "system" you mean the compost pile,
not the toilet. Again, the Humanure Handbook" addresses
it well. There are also many boards, and email groups for
composting. For most, the processing of human waste is a
very peripheral issue. They are primarily concerned with
the production of fertilizer, and human waste just makes
sanitation issues they don't want to hassle with.  But, the
process is primarily identical.

Q - How long do you wait to use it (how do you know it's 'done')?

There are a lot of variables for how long it will take.
The process takes longer in cooler weather, and basically
stops in the cold of winter. When almost all of the conversion
has been completed, and it is ready for decorative plants, it
will smell like rich soil. It will be dirt/soil.

Q- Who and why do you have a separate bucket for urine?

Okay, this is the subject that I am best qualified to address.
As I mentioned earlier, there is an emerging technology in 
the composting toilet field, called "urine separating toilets.
" Hopefully a new name will take over, because the toilets do
not really separate the waste, they just don't mix it together,
like most other toilet systems do. Our bodies know that it is
not particularly good to mix it together. It has been found
that there are some very powerful advantages to not mixing
it together afterward, either.  The name "Urine Diverting"
has been gaining in use.

End of Part I
____________________

In Part II

A brief history of the Composting Toilet movement.

What are the advantages of a urine separation system?

How does the separating toilet work?

Who is using them?

How can I get one?

If I can't build or buy one of those, is there still
a way I can take advantage of this new knowledge?

more..........