And how do you use one?
The first time I ran across a composting toilet was in Big Bend National park, up the junction of Pinnacles trail, Emory Peak and Boot Canyon. Horrifying and hilarious by turns, this toilet is only partially enclosed and has no door. How fucking awful would it be to walk around ready to pop a squat and run into someone already doing just that?
Ok, in all seriousness, though, this is actually a nice amenity to have so that you don’t have to dig a cat hole or pack (sh)it out, two pooping practices that are often required by park rules. The idea behind a composting toilet is that they decompose human waste by turning it into compost (no, not the kind you’d put in your garden) through an aerobic process (science!).
In remote or sensitive areas where establishing or maintaining other types of toilet systems is difficult or expensive, this is an eco-friendly way to take a shit in the woods. And disposing of human waste properly is a key part of leaving no trace, which is something everyone who loves our wild spaces should be concerned about.
How do composting toilets work?
There are different models of composting toilets. Read the instructions typically posted at each toilet to find out specifics when you encounter one. For the purposes of this article, we are talking about using Big Bend National park’s composting toilet, ok?
Instructions for use
As I am sure you are dying to know, composting toilets require a carbon source such as sawdust, wood chips or peat to add bulk, remove moisture and improve aeration. That’s where you come in: you need to add bulk after you take a shit (it may sound redundant, but this is science so stay with me).
Bacteria break down the organic matter and slowly digest it. Composting toilets give the phrase “eat shit” a whole new meaning!
Side note: Never pee into a small water source such as a pond, stream, or spring – it can very harmful to these sensitive ecosystems. Ideally you should aim to be about 100 steps from these types of water sources before doing your business. Don’t be that asshole.
Depending on the type of composting toilet, it may have two chambers to separate the yellow from the brown. If not, the park will ask you to wee-wee in the woods. Big Bend National Park’s Emory Peak trail, for example, kindly asks that you wee-wee in the woods to avoid fucking up their shitter.
Okay, but how do you use a composting toilet?
Believe it or not, there is actually a right and wrong way to use a composting toilet. Use it improperly and you’ll create a disgusting mess for your fellow hikers and the park. Again, don’t be that asshole.
The composting toilets you’ll encounter in Big Bend National Park and some other parks in Texas should be labeled clearly, but they’re honestly super easy to use.
Instructions for use are as follows:
- Drop your drawers and have a nice poo
- Place a scoop of peat moss over your poo
- Hope no one walks in on you to witness this process
And that’s it! Really, all you need to remember is to sprinkle a scoop of peat after relieving yourself but that’s a detail lots of people miss.
You’re welcome!
