16 Comments
User's avatar
Jessica's avatar

And just to be extra clear: We're not spending $4,000 to install a composting toilet. We're going with the DIY option. I just wanted to know what it would cost, in case other people are interested and haven't talked to plumbers yet.

spencer hunter's avatar

Perhaps an indelicate issue: TP. Do I need to grow big leafy rhubarb? Is there perhaps a bidet solution? I don't think the usual will work in this situation.

Jessica's avatar

You can compost TP, but I don't think many of us could stockpile enough to last years. I guess you could use rags, but you'd need a way to clean the rags.

Jeff McFadden's avatar

If the rags are cotton, couldn't you compost them too?

Jessica's avatar
4hEdited

You can compost rags or TP, but I think the question is what you do when you run out, and you can't get more. I guess leaves? It could be a moot question, because at some point, if the worst-case scenario is so bad you can't even get TP or rags, then what else can't you get?

Me's avatar

If it's available in your region, dried corn cobs will work.

Jeff McFadden's avatar

Two red ones and a white one.

Use a red one first.

Use the white one to find out if you need the other red one.

Old hillbilly roadside attraction market item.

Jeff McFadden's avatar

Historically, people ate with their right hands and cleaned themselves with their left.

Dogs use their tongue, so it's not the worst possible deal.

John Pienta's avatar

Get a stick. Peel off the bark. Remove knotted areas. This can be scraped off after it is used, and reused... You can get longer ones for folks with poor flexibility or reach etc. Everyone has their own stick.

Robot Bender's avatar

Got my copy of Survival Illustrated today. Looks good!

Jessica's avatar

Excellent!

FlawedHumanity's avatar

Oh, I accidentally went darker than that. I thought you meant composting of a human. 😂

Jessica's avatar

Theoretically, according to what I've read, if you had enough cover material, you could certainly compost an entire human. :)

Mimsy's avatar

The cleanest outhouse I ever used (I know it’s not quite the same thing, but bear with me) had a bucket beside the seat for the toilet paper. Not adding toilet paper to the composting toilet allows the natural products to break down much faster and therefore with a lot less stink!

Emma Young's avatar

I had the jarring experience of seeing your substack post image in my subscription feed right next to "My Spring Micro Wardrobe" ...

😆😆😆

Priorities...