While in the bathroom last night it crossed my mind how obscenely wasteful it is using clean drinking water to dispose of waste. Woke up and saw your video. Thank you for making composting less "scary" - Hopefully this method will soon be the norm in our culture.
Yeah apparently we collectively flush about 5 billion dollars worth of water down toilets every year in the States alone. And that's not counting the cost to deal with all the toxic sewage created, or the loss of all the valuable compost which sells for higher prices per pound than coal. I hope this becomes standard all over the world!
In my father's place we came back to use bucket woodchips toilet out in the shed. Easy, retro, when leaving the door open you can watch squirrels and birds, or rain and light in the mornings. Feels like ultimate luxury and real real life
you are amazing , a brave and intelligent young woman, i appreciate your zest to do the right thing no matter what others may think, thanks again for an amazingly imformative video.
I got a copy of The Humanure Handbook when I first decided that I wanted to eventually move into a tiny house. I've seen the Nature's Head in many tiny house videos and seen it referenced even more places, but I've never seen anyone break down and explain their system this thoroughly before, so thank you! The worms are an excellent idea. One of my favorite things about your videos is how very pragmatic you are; thank you for being an excellent reference. Also, Burley is a Very Good and Smart Boy who minds impressively well! He's beautiful, and you've done such a wonderful job with him. What a good dog.
Well said! We also use a compost toilet, very common in the area we live. One of my fav quotes in the Humanure Handbook is "Consider the drain as a conduit to the natural world".
I agree with you entirely about the humanure method and how it is the least smelly and easiest way! I have a little store in Nova Scotia Canada and lived in the back of it...off grid, so did the bucket style set up...covering (the #2 deposits) with cedar mulch each time. I even recently had someone make me a wooden compartment for both the toilet side and mulch holding side. Just wonderful!
Great video, Ariel! I swear by my Nature's Head in my Tiny House. Best purchase ever and it changed my life! Been using it for almost two years and unlike before, it's a chore I don't mind doing every month or so. I did learn something new from your video today: using worms to aid composting in the NH itself. I will certainly try that!
Wonderful! I was a little nervous about the concept before trying it, but I do think it's the best thing ever. I would bet you'll like the worms in there!
If you have a bucket you need to empty more often, adding them into that might not make a big difference as they will only have so much time to work, but for sure in a main pile they make a big difference in helping break everything down faster!
So informative....excellent and thorough teaching ....first time I have seen exactly how a Nature's Head system works from start to finish.....have seen the basics described in a few sentences in other channels. I have seen Off Grid Doug and Stacy's video about emptying the 25 accumulated 5 gallon buckets into a compost pile to break down for 2 years. Love how you have gone outside the box and use the vinegar/sugar for the urine reservoir, then the worms/peat moss for the other collection device, then to the compost pile.....
Thank you for sharing this knowledge with the world. I'm personally aware with most of it but hopefully there are people here who educate themselves to the simplicity of our, well, excrement.
AweSome video! Great presentation, teaching & demonstration of a delicate subject. Worms, absolutely a genius idea, one that had me feeling kinda dumb for not thinking of them for this, too. Any time spent here is always a pleasurable, learning visit. 💞👵
Glad you did this video. Plenty of people talk about the nature’s head. They fail to finish the process and what to do for reuse. I had never heard about the earthworm use. Interesting, the white vinegar & white sugar use as natural nuetralizer in the urine. You are truly a wealth of useful information. Thanks for sharing. Stay safe, healthy & happy.
Very informative, as always! Thank you. You know, our outhouse in VT is just that and I hated the fact that it was just a "pit" so, last year I decided that we were going to cover all our deposits with fine raw sawdust. It has been such an impressive thing to see the "mound" actually shrinking! And, the smell is gone! Just incredible to go from what was a stinky place to "go" to wow! And, I am sure there are earthworms in there doing just what they are supposed to do. I will use your vinegar and sugar trick whenever I use my porta potty. Great info, Ariel!!
We have used the bucket humanure method at our Camp for the last five years, and it is so easy!! I wondered how the commercial compost toilets worked, so now I know, thank you! After seeing how the commercial compost toilets work, I am glad we use five gallon buckets. With a few motion issues, I could never get my arms into the positions necessary to cope with a commercial compost toilet. With the bucket I can just life the toilet seat lid, grab the bucket handle, and handle the compost from there. We have the humanure handbook, and I agree, it is a great book!
Excellent video with details. Thank you for showing us how this all works. I feel a lot more comfortable now about having this in the near future! Great job!
This was so interesting. I also watched your last composting video too. It helps to demystify composting and to expose people to an alternative way to do you things. Somehow I just feel like the natural cycle that humans had before civilization probably was better for the earth, early humans probably composted the humanure and we have become disconnected from our ability to creat a natural balance and harmony between what comes in and what goes out.
Howdy from Texas. I have seen Doug and Stacey's video of their poop buckets and was ex tied and now I have seen yours. WOW!!! Someone's going to see me excitied about poop and laugh...😁 The hubby and I are living in our 5th wheel camper and looking for land to put it on and get out of the RV park. I'm ready to do away with the flush toilet and go compost. It makes more sense and it is a valuable resource to our earth. Thank you for your videos. Keep them coming. God bless you Love!❤
Thank you so much. This is the best video on this subject we when seen, and we have watched a lot. So pleased we have found your channel we feel that you will guide us in so many aspects of our new journey. Also loved the wood burner video. Thanks so much for sharing your life with us. Darren and Elaine.
I've mentioned before that I have the same toilet. It is a major upgrade to marching 90 feet in the dark through snow and freezing temperatures to the outhouse! And it is much cheaper than having to install a septic system. When I got this toilet I came to my senses as to how foolish it is that we use our precious freshwater do sweep away our waste. It is crazy. I use Peat as you do. I picked up 5 large 5.8 cubic feet bails in the spring, so I'm good for years. I've not tried composting it yet. I empty mine into a bag and drop it at the local dump. But it is even as you say Ariel, it really just looks like potting soil. I never thought about adding worms. That is something for me to try next spring. I thank you for the tip.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Wondered about all of this. Did not know how to ask. Proves worms are awesome creatures, and some bacteria is the BEST!!!
I just couldn't help but think to myself, "wow, look what a human produced...compost!" Gotta say, this is so cool, learned so much more about poop than I thought I already knew. My husband gets revolted when I start rolling into the poop talk at times, wait'll he hears about this! Thanks, Ariel, for the fantastic tutorial. Cheers👍
Thank you Ariel, very good, very educational. I enjoy composting around my tiny house on wheels. I’m blessed to have found your channel. Worms are good to use, after all the good Lord gave them to us we might as well use them. Thanks for the book review Humanure. 👍😁
My goodness.........another great video. I found it very fascinating, and made sense as well. Thank you for explaining everything so clearly. You have a wonderful way of teaching. I loved the earth worm idea!
Congrats for your setup!!! Your dog loves you, it's always near you. Jenkins is a great guy and has done much for many people, nice thing you pointed out his book.
Yeah apparently we collectively flush about 5 billion dollars worth of water down toilets every year in the States alone. And that's not counting the cost to deal with all the toxic sewage created, or the loss of all the valuable compost which sells for higher prices per pound than coal.
Some people have the nerve to flush twice while crops are dying and people go without showers. Unbelievable. Nothing like experience to make people wiser.
I've tried convincing my husband to go with a composting toilet but have not been successful. I really enjoyed your video and think the worms are a brilliant idea!
Always interested, first time I have seen a thorough explanation of the process, great job. I live near the author, he is also known around the world for his expertise in slate roofing. Thanks
Thank you for sharing and taking the time. I love love love the off grid life style ... just have lived in the city (suburb) setting ... I have unplugged the gas last year wanting to know if I could do without the HEAT and work with a wood stove and the solar heating of the water. My ex and were heading the methods you are at now. Life is short and I will be there within the year ... off grid in the county living free ... Thank you again for bringing us into your world ... I only wish I would have found your channel sooner. You will be missed in this community and teaching others ... Thank you again
This subject has been a discussion for a few years now..it is an interesting subject...thank you for sharing this. Have a great day, Ariel! Dawn @ Rich & Dawn in MN :)
Awesome! After watching, I now have a better idea of the technique I want to use for my own humanity composting. Thanks for sharing! And for changing the world for the better :)
I found something beautiful...YOU!! Useful? Oh yes. I've been using a five gallon bucket since 2015. I've read The Humanure Handbook, but you gave some pointers/tips I hadn't thought of before. Thank you for existing.
I have a bucket system and have made all the adjustments to where I am totally happy with it. One year in to tiny house living, I have unlimited water in summer and haul water in winter...not my favorite either!
Ariel, very informative! I never thought about drinking water/poop scenario...but so true. I am so glad there are means to make a better world! Thanks girl your knowledge impresses me! Have a blessed day.
Just watched this vid and totally agree with you about composting poop. I do the bucket method & will never go back to a flusher again. Love watching your vlogs.
This was so informative. Really appreciate you doing a great video on this subject. I recently bought the Humanure Handbook and find the wisdom of it all very compelling as a better solution to a septic system! Thanks much
Thank you for sharing this valuable information Ariel! I’ve been doing research on the material that’s best for composting and a lot of people do use the coconut coir. They say because it’s a more renewable source. But seeing that your bag of peat moss has lasted so long, it’s something I’m now considering!
You're right that the Nature's Head composting toilet has no foul odor in the composting box. Thanks for the idea of adding earthworms. I'm going to do that with mine. I use coconut coir as the substrate so we'll see if the earthworms go for that. I'll also try adding the vinegar and sugar to the urine jug, because THAT'S where the odor is - but, you're right, it's only noticeable when the jug is removed in order to dump the contents. Thanks for covering this very important topic.
cool that you have this book, i bought it as well. building a bunk house late this summer coming up. all my buddies have been rolling their eyes on my purchase of this book, but something in my intuition said it would be a great addition to my other books. enjoyed your video a lot, thank you.
I'm not sure if you've watched doug and stacey off grid, but they have a lidded bucket system for poo and pee. There's a video of how they deal with both. Works very well.
"Most recent deposit" I love it. It's nature's bank of nutrients! Thank you for this. I just found you and I LOVE what you do. It is so nice to see women just doing everything and not making it seem as though they are "superwomen". Independence is so important and living a civilized life doesn't mean abusing nature. I love your harmony kid :)
I use buckets with bags and put fine sawdust over our poos, we empty is at least once a week, sometimes twice and that is with 5 people in our family. It’s a little more hands off than what you have there. I love it and never want to go back. You are right about that. Anyways it’s more like taking out the trash the way we do it. It never smells, it smells like a fresh hamster cage sometimes with the wood chips, and maybe it has smelled slightly sweet before, rarely. One extra thing composting does it keep the wild animals away, they are more afraid of our farm. I don’t know if it would work the same for everyone but for us in Wyoming the coyotes, pumas, badgers and bear are so nervous to come near our home and farm. We have not had fences around the animals yet in over a year - I think without meaning to we have marked our territory!
I'm sure this video has helped those that are grossed out with composting toilets. You made it seem not so hard/bad to deal with. I think that if I had one I would probably add the worms too.
This was a great video! Thanks for all of the the great information. I hope to have one of these toilets in my tiny home on my own property in the future 😁
I got to say that's not only humanure for me Since I started doing it, my physical, mental and spiritual health inproved a lot. I recovered from a very hard and difficult to cure disease. Because of this, I could start doing in my life and invent many new things that I could not before due to poor health and poor general condition. Beacause of this, I was able to start working a lot physically and intellectually. I also feel better spritually- happier and freer to do good and generally as me and I can also give this happiness to others. The very sad thing is that people do not want to see that the changes that have taken place are the results of working towards humanure.
I find the manner in which you presented this material to be factual and in good manner. I am considering the purchase of a used RV. I would like to use a composting toilet if I do make the purchase. We have open sewers in our area of The Philippines and the smell can be horrific. Men in the rural areas of the islands of paradise often urinate near the roadways. That smell can also be terrible as well. Thank you for an excellent presentation.
Thank you so much for explaining all the details about the composting toilet. I realized I had a lot of prejudice on it, and you made me totally change my mind. I will read the Humanure Handbook as well, and really want to start composting, cause I am getting sick of how much valuable material we throw away in the city everyday, not to mention the quantity of water we are flushing away... Thank you, thank you, thank you! :)
I've read the Humanure handbook and agree it is funny. I like how he explains the absurdity of bringing water up to drinking standards only to use it as a shit-conveyance. We may be getting down to 1.3 gallons per flush but we'll give up THAT convenience when they pry the flusher from our cold dead hands! 😆 Back in school when I was learning about water systems they told us the thought process behind the city's potable water supply (Lubbock - I went to Texas Tech). They don't exactly have bubbling Artesian springs there, so good drinking water would require a lot of treatment.. large treatment plants, many chemicals, high cost. To solve this, they considered a dual water system where non-potable water would be piped into bathrooms and potable water into kitchens. But because of liability issues with lines getting crossed and accidental drinking of the untreated water, they chose to do like every other city and just have a single system and treat the full volume of water. It was safe and.. drinkable? but I would not call it good.. tasted like dirt and soap. If I still lived there, I would do like everyone else and get an RO system or drinking water delivered. But back to humanure.. I was intrigued by the book and as you know, I have an infinity supply of shredded leaves.. Hmm! 💩 The leaf-shred does a pretty good job of stifling odors but the resulting uh, product is very sludgy. Putting earthworms in there is a great idea, but I'm sure I would have drowned them.. you probably have to choose between worms and single container. Since as you've shown, worms do so much preliminary composting I almost want to restart that toilet and try different combinations of cover materials, piss ratios and worms, but I do believe this has gone long and gross enough already, as my love letters to you go 🤣 tcg♥︎
Yeah apparently we collectively flush about 5 billion dollars worth of water down toilets every year in the States alone. And that's not counting the cost to deal with all the toxic sewage created, or the loss of all the valuable compost which sells for higher prices per pound than coal. I hope composting becomes standard all over the world! I'd love to hear the results of your various experiments!
@@FyNyth They itemize the water bill here, by supply and disposal.. the wastewater disposal actually costs more per gallon than the potable water in the first place. But it's not a total waste. The city combines leaves, yard trimmings etc. that people set by the curb, with municipal wastewater sludge, to make Dillo Dirt en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dillo_Dirt which is used around the public parks, and you can buy it as a soil conditioner. The results of my various experiments? Ha.. the results are: I'm single and have plenty of space to start more experiments! Even with the motorcycle project in my living room. Actually the main reason I shut down the humanure toilet was because I lost the shop space where I was hiding it from my then-wife and other more conventional people. I may start another one in the house though, because with age and examples like yours (no need to go off about how much I like you, but really: THANK YOU) I'm less and less shamed out of trying things I know are not wrong. Things that are perfectly safe or can be made safe, pleasant and even classy, with a little knowledge and diligence. tcg♥
Absolutely fabulous lady and I agree you make topics like this so interesting lol. I haven't scrolled and finished watching as yet but can I ask a not so pleasant question as I wondered what impact it may have on everything? If you have a menstrual cycle and you may use whatever to deal with that but still some of flow may just come away when urinating . Does that affect anything with your composting or critters or bigger animals with regards to a smell around blood or decomposing and breaking up at all times of year. Sorry I will have daughters and female friends visiting me and I want to be as I formed as I can and prepare when I'm living off grid. Thank you Ariel I know you won't turn a hair at this question but take it in your stride. Lol Thanks Andrea and yes I will buy this book you have talked about.
I don't find any problems with whatever fluids going into either the liquid or solid bin. Or course don't put things like pads or tampons in the compost as they are usually made from materials that don't break down. But you can empty a luna cup or similar into the solids bin with no problem. I don't notice any difference in the smell or decomposition of anything due to menstrual fluids. Worms actually really like digesting blood. By the time it's going outside, it's so composted already there's nothing like a blood smell there. I do have a lot of predators in the area and none have ever gone near my compost pile so that's been my experience.
thank you both for asking and answering. THIS is the question I've had, and never found any tiny houser/ RV traveler with an answer. I was going to check out doug and stacy to see if they answered this part of composting toilets if I didn't find the answer with you. but... since you use the NH and they use a bucket system... hmm, I wonder if the answer changes? I have a tiny house in my head, and on many pieces of grid paper lol and want to use a DIY urine diverting bucket, that drains my urine directly into a garden, along with all my grey water doing the same. what are your thoughts on that idea and what about menstrual eliminations in that context? thanks for all your detailed videos!!!
So do you have to sit there holding the "#2 trap door" open when you go? I'll have a hard time selling this to the hubby if that's the case. I'm not finding the answer on the Nature's Head website right now... I appreciate you making such an informative and real-world video!
She wouldn't want a guy who can't tolerate all things natural. She's fearless, I guess that is intimidating to some.... :-) . (More power to you, Ariel!!)
I would agree anybody who isn't into real life and appropriately utilizing everything in life is probably not someone I'd ever get to be very close friends with.
How far from your house is the compost bin? Does the human waste keep the wild animals out of your compost? I have trouble with rats and don’t wish to be feeding them.
About 100 feet. I'm not sure what all combo of things works, but only on rare occasions have I had a squirrel play with something there. Usually something like a corncob. Nothing else has ever touched it. But I don't really have rats around here, so I can't vouch for what they will do.
Fantastic content, and thank you very much for sharing and being so open. It's inspiring. If I may suggest, you may use a plastic bag for the solids bucket? Similar to a regular rubbish bin? :)
Not only do we “take dumps into our drinking water”, there is a state where I used to live that dumps chlorine treated sewage into the ocean! Great tip about the worms and they do make things smell better. They aerate the soil/material to make it not only break it down more, but to also keep the smell down. If you have a compost bin and it smells, then there isn’t enough air circulating through it. Get some worms for this! No different with composting toilets. Thank you for clearing this up for me; I often wondered if you used worms. One last thing to add, I watch another channel about a woman with a bucket toilet. She uses leaves and twigs in hers.
I watched someone talk about the difference between using sawdust and tree litter from the forest floor. They said there was a difference in the rate of compost because the forest litter brought in the bacteria that was already breaking down the dead leaves and twigs and that bacteria went to work on their poop. Sawdust didn't have the bacteria but it was better at absorption. They worked out a mixture of the two. I imagine that the a "starter" left at the bottom of a bucket would do something similar?
I need to go dig some worms for my bucket toilet. This makes me so happy to try! I use a feminine urine device to go mostly in a jug, so very little urine in the bucket. It is filling up fast with all the covering material. And I’ll get some leaves off the ground. I’m using peat moss, but I have located a sawdust place so will switch over to that eventually. This feels like play!
I am definitely going to look into this book! After I read it & someone saids you don't know 💩 I can say "oh yes I do! 😂 Ty for sharing the scoop on poop💩! Sorry I couldn't resist the humor! Once again I have gain more knowledge from you. Ty.🤗
Ariel can you confirm at what point you think you would be able to use this compost on a garden, given it has the worm composting it first, and what you think about keeping one compost pile rather than two ; would one need to wait one year before adding the humanure to the kitchen/garden compost? Do you have any thoughts on the new SunMar GTG? I'm about to order it for my Tiny ( @tinylandingpad) as it is a super slim version separator and my toilet area is 'snug' . Please let me know if you hear any reviews or comments on this newbie! Ps- have you had your worms come up the drop hole? any escape issues at all? Thanks for your amazingly detailed video! You rock. :)
I wait two years just to be really safe but that's being well on the excessive side and partially because things do break down slower here with all the cold temps. I have no experience with the SunMar. They will only try to crawl out if they start to drown (which should not happen if the urine is going in a separate container) or if they get way too hot. Some temp above normal comfortable room temperature. I had some try to escape from a bin in a garage in a past home because the temps could get pretty high in there in the summer, but never had that problem with my toilet in the house.
While in the bathroom last night it crossed my mind how obscenely wasteful it is using clean drinking water to dispose of waste. Woke up and saw your video. Thank you for making composting less "scary" - Hopefully this method will soon be the norm in our culture.
Yeah apparently we collectively flush about 5 billion dollars worth of water down toilets every year in the States alone. And that's not counting the cost to deal with all the toxic sewage created, or the loss of all the valuable compost which sells for higher prices per pound than coal. I hope this becomes standard all over the world!
Have thought this for decades....don't understand how the "recycled" water will ever be the same...
In my father's place we came back to use bucket woodchips toilet out in the shed.
Easy, retro, when leaving the door open you can watch squirrels and birds, or rain and light in the mornings.
Feels like ultimate luxury and real real life
you are amazing , a brave and intelligent young woman, i appreciate your zest to do the right thing no matter what others may think, thanks again for an amazingly imformative video.
So loyal, why now tho? This bugs me. Like worm bugs me.
You're welcome!
This was so informative! Thanks for sharing about the worms too!
Glad it's helpful! I really do enjoy teaming up with worms. They are such hard little workers.
I got a copy of The Humanure Handbook when I first decided that I wanted to eventually move into a tiny house. I've seen the Nature's Head in many tiny house videos and seen it referenced even more places, but I've never seen anyone break down and explain their system this thoroughly before, so thank you! The worms are an excellent idea. One of my favorite things about your videos is how very pragmatic you are; thank you for being an excellent reference.
Also, Burley is a Very Good and Smart Boy who minds impressively well! He's beautiful, and you've done such a wonderful job with him. What a good dog.
So glad to hear it's useful!
I love the pragmatic and the competence. Much!
Well said! We also use a compost toilet, very common in the area we live. One of my fav quotes in the Humanure Handbook is "Consider the drain as a conduit to the natural world".
Very true!
I read this book years ago. It is simply the best reference for this subject. Worth a read, for sure.
Yeah it's great! I'd actually been using a composting toilet for more than 4 years before I first read his book, but it really is inspiring.
I agree with you entirely about the humanure method and how it is the least smelly and easiest way! I have a little store in Nova Scotia Canada and lived in the back of it...off grid, so did the bucket style set up...covering (the #2 deposits) with cedar mulch each time. I even recently had someone make me a wooden compartment for both the toilet side and mulch holding side. Just wonderful!
Great video, Ariel! I swear by my Nature's Head in my Tiny House. Best purchase ever and it changed my life! Been using it for almost two years and unlike before, it's a chore I don't mind doing every month or so. I did learn something new from your video today: using worms to aid composting in the NH itself. I will certainly try that!
Wonderful! I was a little nervous about the concept before trying it, but I do think it's the best thing ever. I would bet you'll like the worms in there!
I missed you so much. I'm so glad you're back on. I'm just going back and watching your videos again. Till next time, God bless
Very informative. Didnt know about the worms, will definitely be incorporating this idea. Thank you for sharing.
I did try a spell without them to see how much of a difference they were making and realized it was quite noticeable!
Fabulous! Great info. You've inspired this 62 year old!
I dont know why I never thought to use worms in my humanure compost. Great Idea! I do the bucket system now.
If you have a bucket you need to empty more often, adding them into that might not make a big difference as they will only have so much time to work, but for sure in a main pile they make a big difference in helping break everything down faster!
So informative....excellent and thorough teaching ....first time I have seen exactly how a Nature's Head system works from start to finish.....have seen the basics described in a few sentences in other channels.
I have seen Off Grid Doug and Stacy's video about emptying the 25 accumulated 5 gallon buckets into a compost pile to break down for 2 years.
Love how you have gone outside the box and use the vinegar/sugar for the urine reservoir, then the worms/peat moss for the other collection device, then to the compost pile.....
Thank you for sharing this knowledge with the world. I'm personally aware with most of it but hopefully there are people here who educate themselves to the simplicity of our, well, excrement.
Hopefully this knowledge will become more and more prevalent!
I love your honesty..
I always try to share real life here. :)
@@FyNyth and you did a swear..lmao
AweSome video!
Great presentation, teaching & demonstration of a delicate subject.
Worms, absolutely a genius idea, one that had me feeling kinda dumb for not thinking of them for this, too.
Any time spent here is always a pleasurable, learning visit.
💞👵
Comprehensive , well-narrated Video.
The technique and methods clearly can pass the test of Time.
Thanks.
Right on, compost everything!
Best explanation for composting I’ve ever heard. Makes a good argument for doing it. Well done. Texas
Only Miss Ariel could carry this video off! 😄👍
I have always wondered about composting toilets. This was great to learn!
Glad it's helpful!
Glad you did this video. Plenty of people talk about the nature’s head. They fail to finish the process and what to do for reuse. I had never heard about the earthworm use. Interesting, the white vinegar & white sugar use as natural nuetralizer in the urine. You are truly a wealth of useful information. Thanks for sharing. Stay safe, healthy & happy.
Wow, that was the best video about that toilet. Others tell you about it but you explained and showed. Great work lady! 💯🎯
In the opening, your hair looks so pretty in the sunlight!
Very informative, as always! Thank you. You know, our outhouse in VT is just that and I hated the fact that it was just a "pit" so, last year I decided that we were going to cover all our deposits with fine raw sawdust. It has been such an impressive thing to see the "mound" actually shrinking! And, the smell is gone! Just incredible to go from what was a stinky place to "go" to wow! And, I am sure there are earthworms in there doing just what they are supposed to do. I will use your vinegar and sugar trick whenever I use my porta potty. Great info, Ariel!!
Wow I bet that's and incredible change! Nice solution!
Loved hearing about the worms!
just ordered my own copy. guess where i'll be reading it?
We have used the bucket humanure method at our Camp for the last five years, and it is so easy!! I wondered how the commercial compost toilets worked, so now I know, thank you!
After seeing how the commercial compost toilets work, I am glad we use five gallon buckets. With a few motion issues, I could never get my arms into the positions necessary to cope with a commercial compost toilet. With the bucket I can just life the toilet seat lid, grab the bucket handle, and handle the compost from there. We have the humanure handbook, and I agree, it is a great book!
Bucket toilets are great!
Excellent video with details. Thank you for showing us how this all works. I feel a lot more comfortable now about having this in the near future! Great job!
Glad it's helpful!
This was so interesting. I also watched your last composting video too. It helps to demystify composting and to expose people to an alternative way to do you things. Somehow I just feel like the natural cycle that humans had before civilization probably was better for the earth, early humans probably composted the humanure and we have become disconnected from our ability to creat a natural balance and harmony between what comes in and what goes out.
A "natural balance and harmony" is a wonderful thing!
It is very good to see the less glamorous side of living this lifestyle, and not bad, I imagine your garden will get bigger or at least be rich,
I try to share real life here! :)
Thank you for bringing up this timely topic! And the demonstration. and about the pup poo too.
Glad the info is helpful!
THANK YOU FOR SHARING LASS!
You're welcome!
Howdy from Texas. I have seen Doug and Stacey's video of their poop buckets and was ex tied and now I have seen yours. WOW!!! Someone's going to see me excitied about poop and laugh...😁
The hubby and I are living in our 5th wheel camper and looking for land to put it on and get out of the RV park. I'm ready to do away with the flush toilet and go compost. It makes more sense and it is a valuable resource to our earth. Thank you for your videos. Keep them coming. God bless you Love!❤
Glad it's helpful! Their system works really well too.
Thank you so much. This is the best video on this subject we when seen, and we have watched a lot. So pleased we have found your channel we feel that you will guide us in so many aspects of our new journey. Also loved the wood burner video. Thanks so much for sharing your life with us. Darren and Elaine.
You are very welcome! I'm gald it's helpful
I've mentioned before that I have the same toilet. It is a major upgrade to marching 90 feet in the dark through snow and freezing temperatures to the outhouse! And it is much cheaper than having to install a septic system. When I got this toilet I came to my senses as to how foolish it is that we use our precious freshwater do sweep away our waste. It is crazy. I use Peat as you do. I picked up 5 large 5.8 cubic feet bails in the spring, so I'm good for years. I've not tried composting it yet. I empty mine into a bag and drop it at the local dump. But it is even as you say Ariel, it really just looks like potting soil. I never thought about adding worms. That is something for me to try next spring. I thank you for the tip.
If you're already happy with the setup, I bet you'll like it even better with worms added!
@@FyNyth Well yes I like it. A huge upgrade for me. I will try the worms in spring. Thanks for the tip.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Wondered about all of this. Did not know how to ask. Proves worms are awesome creatures, and some bacteria is the BEST!!!
Worms are really wonderful things. As well as the vast majority of bacteria. :) Glad it's helpful!
I just couldn't help but think to myself, "wow, look what a human produced...compost!" Gotta say, this is so cool, learned so much more about poop than I thought I already knew. My husband gets revolted when I start rolling into the poop talk at times, wait'll he hears about this! Thanks, Ariel, for the fantastic tutorial. Cheers👍
Thank you Ariel, very good, very educational. I enjoy composting around my tiny house on wheels. I’m blessed to have found your channel. Worms are good to use, after all the good Lord gave them to us we might as well use them. Thanks for the book review Humanure. 👍😁
Aren't they such wonderful little creatures that do important work?
My goodness.........another great video. I found it very fascinating, and made sense as well. Thank you for explaining everything so clearly. You have a wonderful way of teaching. I loved the earth worm idea!
Congrats for your setup!!! Your dog loves you, it's always near you.
Jenkins is a great guy and has done much for many people, nice thing you pointed out his book.
It’s amazing how we use so much water in the west to go to the toilet 🚽
Yeah apparently we collectively flush about 5 billion dollars worth of water down toilets every year in the States alone. And that's not counting the cost to deal with all the toxic sewage created, or the loss of all the valuable compost which sells for higher prices per pound than coal.
Some people have the nerve to flush twice while crops are dying and people go without showers. Unbelievable. Nothing like experience to make people wiser.
We need a huge re education program to tell children what we need to do
I've tried convincing my husband to go with a composting toilet but have not been successful. I really enjoyed your video and think the worms are a brilliant idea!
Always interested, first time I have seen a thorough explanation of the process, great job. I live near the author, he is also known around the world for his expertise in slate roofing. Thanks
Glad it's helpful!
Thank you for sharing and taking the time. I love love love the off grid life style ... just have lived in the city (suburb) setting ... I have unplugged the gas last year wanting to know if I could do without the HEAT and work with a wood stove and the solar heating of the water. My ex and were heading the methods you are at now. Life is short and I will be there within the year ... off grid in the county living free ... Thank you again for bringing us into your world ... I only wish I would have found your channel sooner. You will be missed in this community and teaching others ... Thank you again
This subject has been a discussion for a few years now..it is an interesting subject...thank you for sharing this. Have a great day, Ariel! Dawn @ Rich & Dawn in MN :)
Glad it's helpful!
You can make anything interesting, I swear! Thanks for explaining this in such details that I am wanting more...
Then go pick up or borrow a copy of Mr. Jenkin's book, I think you'll enjoy the read! :)
Awesome! After watching, I now have a better idea of the technique I want to use for my own humanity composting. Thanks for sharing! And for changing the world for the better :)
I found something beautiful...YOU!! Useful? Oh yes. I've been using a five gallon bucket since 2015. I've read The Humanure Handbook, but you gave some pointers/tips I hadn't thought of before. Thank you for existing.
I have a bucket system and have made all the adjustments to where I am totally happy with it. One year in to tiny house living, I have unlimited water in summer and haul water in winter...not my favorite either!
Ariel, very informative! I never thought about drinking water/poop scenario...but so true. I am so glad there are means to make a better world! Thanks girl your knowledge impresses me! Have a blessed day.
Glad to share some info!
Just watched this vid and totally agree with you about composting poop. I do the bucket method & will never go back to a flusher again. Love watching your vlogs.
One day I hope many more folks discover this!
Thank you ,Thank you, I've been thinking about this for my off grid cabin, very informative !!!!
This was so informative. Really appreciate you doing a great video on this subject. I recently bought the Humanure Handbook
and find the wisdom of it all very compelling as a better solution to a septic system!
Thanks much
Isn't it a great read?
Another very informative and well done video, Ariel.
Glad if it's helpful!
Alan Watts... Really. Nice! Solid reading / listening.
Excellent video! We’ve been meaning to order that book.
I think you'll enjoy it!
Thank you for sharing this valuable information Ariel! I’ve been doing research on the material that’s best for composting and a lot of people do use the coconut coir. They say because it’s a more renewable source. But seeing that your bag of peat moss has lasted so long, it’s something I’m now considering!
That's another good option!
I use only sawdust in my solids and not even every time. There is very little odor and it is not unpleasent.
You're right that the Nature's Head composting toilet has no foul odor in the composting box. Thanks for the idea of adding earthworms. I'm going to do that with mine. I use coconut coir as the substrate so we'll see if the earthworms go for that. I'll also try adding the vinegar and sugar to the urine jug, because THAT'S where the odor is - but, you're right, it's only noticeable when the jug is removed in order to dump the contents. Thanks for covering this very important topic.
cool that you have this book, i bought it as well. building a bunk house late this summer coming up. all my buddies have been rolling their eyes on my purchase of this book, but something in my intuition said it would be a great addition to my other books. enjoyed your video a lot, thank you.
Seems easy enough!
I watch a video for 30 minutes about poop and you made it sound fascinating.
I always learn something from your videos. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you enjoy them!
Thank you so much. We needed to know the process and you make it look so easy.
I will say,,gloves girl, gloves, lol.
I'm not sure if you've watched doug and stacey off grid, but they have a lidded bucket system for poo and pee. There's a video of how they deal with both. Works very well.
Every video! :) They are good friends. If you check out my composting toilet playlist, you'll find my video comparing the two setups as well.
"Most recent deposit" I love it. It's nature's bank of nutrients! Thank you for this. I just found you and I LOVE what you do. It is so nice to see women just doing everything and not making it seem as though they are "superwomen". Independence is so important and living a civilized life doesn't mean abusing nature. I love your harmony kid :)
I use buckets with bags and put fine sawdust over our poos, we empty is at least once a week, sometimes twice and that is with 5 people in our family. It’s a little more hands off than what you have there. I love it and never want to go back. You are right about that. Anyways it’s more like taking out the trash the way we do it. It never smells, it smells like a fresh hamster cage sometimes with the wood chips, and maybe it has smelled slightly sweet before, rarely. One extra thing composting does it keep the wild animals away, they are more afraid of our farm. I don’t know if it would work the same for everyone but for us in Wyoming the coyotes, pumas, badgers and bear are so nervous to come near our home and farm. We have not had fences around the animals yet in over a year - I think without meaning to we have marked our territory!
Thank you for that detailed explanation.
Thank you for sharing hugs from MN
bwhahaha lol lol I am laughing so hard at the opening =) hard to navigate this subject
"We pooped in 25 buckets, NOW WHAT?" is a pretty great intro to the topic too! ;)
I watched that video, too, Doug and Stacy. I found it incredibly informative, too.
@@stephanieellis5399 , ditto.
Both are now among my saved files.
Thanks for this info.
I'm sure this video has helped those that are grossed out with composting toilets. You made it seem not so hard/bad to deal with. I think that if I had one I would probably add the worms too.
I can remember " The Destroylet" when it gets full a packet is added to stop foaming and it boils/burns it off using Propane. gr8 video
I hadn't heard that name. It's a great name! Though I haven't heard great reviews of various incinerating toilets from friends who have had them.
This was a great video! Thanks for all of the the great information. I hope to have one of these toilets in my tiny home on my own property in the future 😁
I got to say that's not only humanure for me Since I started doing it, my physical, mental and spiritual health inproved a lot. I recovered from a very hard and difficult to cure disease. Because of this, I could start doing in my life and invent many new things that I could not before due to poor health and poor general condition. Beacause of this, I was able to start working a lot physically and intellectually. I also feel better spritually- happier and freer to do good and generally as me and I can also give this happiness to others. The very sad thing is that people do not want to see that the changes that have taken place are the results of working towards humanure.
Hi Ariel 👋
I find the manner in which you presented this material to be factual and in good manner. I am considering the purchase of a used RV. I would like to use a composting toilet if I do make the purchase. We have open sewers in our area of The Philippines and the smell can be horrific. Men in the rural areas of the islands of paradise often urinate near the roadways. That smell can also be terrible as well. Thank you for an excellent presentation.
Thank you so much for explaining all the details about the composting toilet. I realized I had a lot of prejudice on it, and you made me totally change my mind. I will read the Humanure Handbook as well, and really want to start composting, cause I am getting sick of how much valuable material we throw away in the city everyday, not to mention the quantity of water we are flushing away... Thank you, thank you, thank you! :)
As always, love your smile!
I’m just joining this conversation so I apologize if my question is redundant - do you use a particular type of toilet paper?
Very interesting. I’m wanting to off Grid next year and I’m a gardener as well. Win win.
I've read the Humanure handbook and agree it is funny. I like how he explains the absurdity of bringing water up to drinking standards only to use it as a shit-conveyance. We may be getting down to 1.3 gallons per flush but we'll give up THAT convenience when they pry the flusher from our cold dead hands! 😆
Back in school when I was learning about water systems they told us the thought process behind the city's potable water supply (Lubbock - I went to Texas Tech). They don't exactly have bubbling Artesian springs there, so good drinking water would require a lot of treatment.. large treatment plants, many chemicals, high cost. To solve this, they considered a dual water system where non-potable water would be piped into bathrooms and potable water into kitchens. But because of liability issues with lines getting crossed and accidental drinking of the untreated water, they chose to do like every other city and just have a single system and treat the full volume of water. It was safe and.. drinkable? but I would not call it good.. tasted like dirt and soap. If I still lived there, I would do like everyone else and get an RO system or drinking water delivered.
But back to humanure.. I was intrigued by the book and as you know, I have an infinity supply of shredded leaves.. Hmm! 💩 The leaf-shred does a pretty good job of stifling odors but the resulting uh, product is very sludgy. Putting earthworms in there is a great idea, but I'm sure I would have drowned them.. you probably have to choose between worms and single container. Since as you've shown, worms do so much preliminary composting I almost want to restart that toilet and try different combinations of cover materials, piss ratios and worms, but I do believe this has gone long and gross enough already, as my love letters to you go 🤣
tcg♥︎
Yeah apparently we collectively flush about 5 billion dollars worth of water down toilets every year in the States alone. And that's not counting the cost to deal with all the toxic sewage created, or the loss of all the valuable compost which sells for higher prices per pound than coal. I hope composting becomes standard all over the world! I'd love to hear the results of your various experiments!
@@FyNyth They itemize the water bill here, by supply and disposal.. the wastewater disposal actually costs more per gallon than the potable water in the first place. But it's not a total waste. The city combines leaves, yard trimmings etc. that people set by the curb, with municipal wastewater sludge, to make Dillo Dirt en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dillo_Dirt which is used around the public parks, and you can buy it as a soil conditioner. The results of my various experiments? Ha.. the results are: I'm single and have plenty of space to start more experiments! Even with the motorcycle project in my living room. Actually the main reason I shut down the humanure toilet was because I lost the shop space where I was hiding it from my then-wife and other more conventional people. I may start another one in the house though, because with age and examples like yours (no need to go off about how much I like you, but really: THANK YOU) I'm less and less shamed out of trying things I know are not wrong. Things that are perfectly safe or can be made safe, pleasant and even classy, with a little knowledge and diligence.
tcg♥
I'm going to show this to my husband because I would love to have my waste not wasted but he is a bit apprehensive about it. So we'll see.
If he likes to read, get him a copy of the Humanure Handbook. Though I was using one for over 4 years before reading it, it is quite convincing!
Absolutely fabulous lady and I agree you make topics like this so interesting lol. I haven't scrolled and finished watching as yet but can I ask a not so pleasant question as I wondered what impact it may have on everything? If you have a menstrual cycle and you may use whatever to deal with that but still some of flow may just come away when urinating . Does that affect anything with your composting or critters or bigger animals with regards to a smell around blood or decomposing and breaking up at all times of year. Sorry I will have daughters and female friends visiting me and I want to be as I formed as I can and prepare when I'm living off grid. Thank you Ariel I know you won't turn a hair at this question but take it in your stride. Lol
Thanks Andrea and yes I will buy this book you have talked about.
I don't find any problems with whatever fluids going into either the liquid or solid bin. Or course don't put things like pads or tampons in the compost as they are usually made from materials that don't break down. But you can empty a luna cup or similar into the solids bin with no problem. I don't notice any difference in the smell or decomposition of anything due to menstrual fluids. Worms actually really like digesting blood. By the time it's going outside, it's so composted already there's nothing like a blood smell there. I do have a lot of predators in the area and none have ever gone near my compost pile so that's been my experience.
thank you both for asking and answering. THIS is the question I've had, and never found any tiny houser/ RV traveler with an answer. I was going to check out doug and stacy to see if they answered this part of composting toilets if I didn't find the answer with you.
but... since you use the NH and they use a bucket system... hmm, I wonder if the answer changes?
I have a tiny house in my head, and on many pieces of grid paper lol and want to use a DIY urine diverting bucket, that drains my urine directly into a garden, along with all my grey water doing the same.
what are your thoughts on that idea and what about menstrual eliminations in that context?
thanks for all your detailed videos!!!
Hi Ariel.
So many puns, so little time. I'll say no more. ;o)
Stay warm.
I'm sure! :)
Thank you so much! I really love your explanations 😉
So do you have to sit there holding the "#2 trap door" open when you go? I'll have a hard time selling this to the hubby if that's the case. I'm not finding the answer on the Nature's Head website right now...
I appreciate you making such an informative and real-world video!
Nope, just flip the lever and it's open till whenever you choose to give it another flip which closes it again. :)
Loved this. I am hoping to get the Humanure book soon.
Thumbs up, have a good week Ariel...🇺🇸☕❄
Now, you know Ariel, talking about this will
Probably not score you a Husband 🤣🤣🤣
She wouldn't want a guy who can't tolerate all things natural. She's fearless, I guess that is intimidating to some.... :-) . (More power to you, Ariel!!)
I would agree anybody who isn't into real life and appropriately utilizing everything in life is probably not someone I'd ever get to be very close friends with.
I think using worms is a great idea. Once I start using a composing toilet I will have to try using them.
How far from your house is the compost bin? Does the human waste keep the wild animals out of your compost? I have trouble with rats and don’t wish to be feeding them.
About 100 feet. I'm not sure what all combo of things works, but only on rare occasions have I had a squirrel play with something there. Usually something like a corncob. Nothing else has ever touched it. But I don't really have rats around here, so I can't vouch for what they will do.
The twisting to aerate everything doesn't crush the worms? I have been thinking about this concept, so I am happy to see you trying it and sharing.
Fantastic content, and thank you very much for sharing and being so open. It's inspiring.
If I may suggest, you may use a plastic bag for the solids bucket? Similar to a regular rubbish bin? :)
Not only do we “take dumps into our drinking water”, there is a state where I used to live that dumps chlorine treated sewage into the ocean! Great tip about the worms and they do make things smell better. They aerate the soil/material to make it not only break it down more, but to also keep the smell down. If you have a compost bin and it smells, then there isn’t enough air circulating through it. Get some worms for this! No different with composting toilets. Thank you for clearing this up for me; I often wondered if you used worms.
One last thing to add, I watch another channel about a woman with a bucket toilet. She uses leaves and twigs in hers.
I watched someone talk about the difference between using sawdust and tree litter from the forest floor. They said there was a difference in the rate of compost because the forest litter brought in the bacteria that was already breaking down the dead leaves and twigs and that bacteria went to work on their poop. Sawdust didn't have the bacteria but it was better at absorption. They worked out a mixture of the two. I imagine that the a "starter" left at the bottom of a bucket would do something similar?
Stephanie Ellis Yes, I believe “starter” is a good thing to do. At least that’s what Ariel seems to be showing with her worms.
I do think the "starter" helps give the new additions a good shot of established bacteria and microbes as well the worms.
I need to go dig some worms for my bucket toilet. This makes me so happy to try! I use a feminine urine device to go mostly in a jug, so very little urine in the bucket. It is filling up fast with all the covering material. And I’ll get some leaves off the ground. I’m using peat moss, but I have located a sawdust place so will switch over to that eventually. This feels like play!
Enjoy!
Interesting and instructive. Thank you.
I am definitely going to look into this book! After I read it & someone saids you don't know 💩 I can say "oh yes I do! 😂 Ty for sharing the scoop on poop💩! Sorry I couldn't resist the humor! Once again I have gain more knowledge from you. Ty.🤗
Ariel can you confirm at what point you think you would be able to use this compost on a garden, given it has the worm composting it first, and what you think about keeping one compost pile rather than two ; would one need to wait one year before adding the humanure to the kitchen/garden compost?
Do you have any thoughts on the new SunMar GTG? I'm about to order it for my Tiny ( @tinylandingpad) as it is a super slim version separator and my toilet area is 'snug' . Please let me know if you hear any reviews or comments on this newbie!
Ps- have you had your worms come up the drop hole? any escape issues at all?
Thanks for your amazingly detailed video! You rock. :)
I wait two years just to be really safe but that's being well on the excessive side and partially because things do break down slower here with all the cold temps. I have no experience with the SunMar.
They will only try to crawl out if they start to drown (which should not happen if the urine is going in a separate container) or if they get way too hot. Some temp above normal comfortable room temperature. I had some try to escape from a bin in a garage in a past home because the temps could get pretty high in there in the summer, but never had that problem with my toilet in the house.
Nothing about this video bothers me except I would keep a special pair of kitchen gloves to do ALL of this. Just because.
I'm sure a lot of folks would feel that way and you could certainly keep a pair dedicated just to this job!