Composting toilets for festivals

[archerships]

Rationale

When attending a festival in a remote location, toilet facilities may not be provided. A bucket toilet system is probably the simplest waste management system that is practical for a camp of 4 - 10 people.

Calculations

The average person produces 12 ml/kg/day of urine and 5 g/kg/day fecal matter. The average adult in the US weighs 82 kg (180 lbs), so that means each person produces ~1 L (34 oz) of urine, and ~0.41 kg (1 lb) of feces per day. If we assume that feces has the same density of water (1 g/mL), then 0.41 kg of feces takes up 0.41 L.

Total volume of waste is therefore 1 L urine + 0.41 L feces = 1.41 L

If we assume cover material and toilet paper are equal in volume, that means that the average person will produce a 3 L volume of waste per day.

A 5 gallon bucket has a volume of ~19 liters. So, the average person will fill a bucket in about 6 days.

A 40 lb (18.14 kg) bag of wood pellets contains 640 oz. A single bag should last a single person about 12 days, assuming 1.41 kg (50 oz) is used per day).

So, a camp will need 1 bucket/person/week plus 20 lb bag of pellets/person/week.

For a 10 person camp, that would be 10 buckets plus five 40 lb bags of pellets.

Sources

PVC privacy tent instructional videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Hf6gAvyxKc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjZo0eVzKSE

Portable Emergency Toilet Seat for 5 Gallon Bucket
https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Emergency-Buckets-Outdoor-Luggable/dp/B07RZQBQNH/

(Alternatively, make a lid from a hardware store toilet seat:
https://www.instructables.com/DIY-Camping-Toilet-Bucket/)

Compostable trash bags, 8 gallon, 50 count
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TFMGX3Z/ref=ewc_pr_img_1?smid=AJVD03PRD8VF4

Wood pellets, 40 lb
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Golden-Fire-40-lb-Wood-Pellets/3522746 Wood pellets, 20 lb
https://www.homedepot.com/p/20-lbs-BBQ-Oak-Blend-Pellets-PEL344/312450526

Gamma seal lid
https://www.amazon.com/Gamma2-4123-Gamma-Seal-Lid/dp/B0089QJQTS/
Home Depot brand screw top bucket lid https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bucket-Companion-5-gal-and-3-5-gal-Screw-Top-Bucket-Lid-in-Black-LD5GRLBK006/303808738

Scoop, 32 oz - for distributing cover material
https://www.amazon.com/Rubbermaid-Commercial-Service-64-Ounce-FG288500WHT/dp/B000HHM4KA/

Paper towel dispenser - for hands free towel dispensing
https://www.amazon.com/PENGKE-Dispenser-Countertop-Multifold-Bathroom/dp/B07WGKR315/

Paper towels - c-fold style - for washing hands after use
https://www.amazon.com/Pacific-Blue-Basic-Previously-23304/dp/B000JKA9Q6

Spray bottle, 1% bleach solution - for periodically wiping down external services
https://www.amazon.com/Bealee-All-Purpose-Spraying-Cleaning-Adjustable/dp/B07QXNYRM6

Hand sanitizer - for cleaning hands after toilet use
https://www.amazon.com/Rubbermaid-Sanitizer-Alcohol-Based-Bottles-2140739/dp/B08CY4ZYTG/

Camp table - for holding paper towels, spray bottle, etc
https://www.amazon.com/Camp-Field-Camping-Adjustable-Backyards/dp/B07K7DY22F/

Paracord / bungee cord
https://www.amazon.com/TOUGH-GRID-550lb-Green-Paracord-Parachute/dp/B06VWK5Z5N

Toilet paper
https://www.amazon.com/Georgia-Pacific-Professional-Premium-Embossed-Toilet/dp/B00589DZKU/

Use

1. Insert two composting bags into bucket. The extra bag helps prevent leaks if one bag is punctured.
2. Secure the bags to toilet with a bungee cord or paracord using a constrictor knot.
3. Attach toilet lid.
4. Put a couple of scoops of cover material (wood pellets) into the inner before first use. You want a layer 2.5 - 5 cm deep. This will help absorb urine and prevent bad smells.
5. Poop / pee. Wipe with toilet paper and drop paper into bucket.
6. After use, scoop pellets over poop / pee from the second bucket until waste is no longer visible. It should take 2 - 3 cups.
7. Wash hands with alcohol spray and dry with paper towels.
8. To extend the use of toilet, put paper towels in trash can, not composting toilet.
9. Periodically wipe down bucket seat with bleach solution.
10. When bucket is full, tie bags together and transfer to a second bucket, and attach gamma lid until waste can be disposed.
11. Dump bags into compost bin, compost pile, or trash bin.

A review of variations

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gj3ocdO4Qk

A more sophisticated bucket composting system:

http://www.omick.net/composting_toilets/bucket_barrel_toilet.htm

How to properly dispose of human compost

https://www.livesmallridefree.com/blog/where-to-responsibly-empty-your-composting-toilet

A Perfect Composting Toilet For Camping Or Emergencies

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAaKtFXKX7w