Incinerating toilet

An example of an early (1904) incinerating toilet from the Lexikon der gesamten Technik

An incinerating toilet is a toilet that burns excrement instead of flushing it away with water.

Description

Incinerating toilet may be powered by electric, gas or other energy sources.^[1][2]

All products incinerate from a holding tank to eliminate costly and potential harmful environment which is often associated with a standard pump out process. They can incinerate between 1 to 7 gallons of waste per hour and no chemicals are necessary to add in the waste holding tanks before incineration starts They are promoted for use in remote application where a conventional toilet is too expensive or difficult to install. Some will also incinerate grey and black water created from showers and sinks. One type has a holding tank allowing the unit to be used 40-50 times before the incineration process started which reduces all waste to sterile ash and water vapor.

Advantages:

• Uses no water
• Produces a fine sterile ash that can be safely disposed of
• Portable, simple to install, and easy to use. Can work in freezing conditions and remote areas
• Relatively odorless, compared to common storage outhouses and portable toilets

Disadvantages:

• Incineration destroys nutrients in waste, making ash less valuable for replenishing soil
• Requires energy—results in higher energy costs for users
• Not entirely pollution free, electric energy use leaves a carbon footprint, and gas energy use releases some air pollutants

Applications:

• Rural areas where sewage systems are not practical for financial or geographic reasons.
• Job sites where permanent toilets are not available
• Marine vessels operating in areas that waste discharge is prohibited
• Areas where water is scarce
• Areas where water contamination is an issue.

References

1. ^ "Eco Toilets". http://www.ecotoilets.co.nz. 
2. ^ "Ecotech". http://www.ecotech.no. 

Further reading

• "Incinerating Toilets - Compendium of Information on Alternative Onsite Septic System Technology in Massachusetts". Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment. 2007. http://www.barnstablecountyhealth.org/ia-systems/information-center/compendium-of-information-on-alternative-onsite-septic-system-technology. Retrieved 2011-06-07. 
• "The Incinolet Advantage". Incinolet. 2006. http://www.incinolet.com/aboutus_2.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-15. 
• "The Wilderness Comfort Station". Storburn. 2008. http://www.storburn.ca. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
• "12V Diesel, Oil, Kerosene, Jet Fuel, Fired Toilet". Usenburn. 2008. http://www.usenburn.ca. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
• Freidman, Daniel (2007-07-14). "Using Incinerating Toilets as Components of Alternative Septic Systems for Difficult Sites". http://www.inspect-ny.com/septic/altincinerate.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-15. 
• "Water Efficiency Technology Fact Sheet: Incinerating Toilets". United States Environmental Protection Agency. 1999-09. http://www.epa.gov/owm/mtb/incinera.pdf. Retrieved 2007-12-15.