Quiz: Should you use a composting toilet?

Every time you flush the toilet, you are flushing gallons of potable drinking water down the drain.  This is both a waste of water and energy.  An alternative to this is a composting toilet, which is basically the same thing as a regular toilet, but so much better.  These systems are sanitary, odorless, and use little to no water in the process.  Composting toilets can be installed in homes, businesses, and campgrounds while requiring little maintenance to get the job done.  Furthermore, when maintained correctly, these toilets can produce soil rich in nutrients that are safe for use in gardens.  But, don’t take my word for it!  Take this quiz to see if composting toilets are right for you!

                  Quiz made by Emily Gross

Option A: False- everybody poops! 
You may benefit from transitioning from a classical to carnivalesque approach to looking at the human body.  Classical meaning the body is separated from nature- e.g. you think people do not poop because they are so separated from wild animals.  By transitioning to a more carnivalesque body view you will acknowledge that your body is one with nature- e.g. you poop, excrete, taste, breath and embrace the natural world within your body!  You should probably retake the quiz now, huh?

Option B: Bad Idea!
So you answered you do not care about the worldwide water crisis?  The only explanation is you must not fully know about it then!  Only 2.5% of the world’s water is freshwater, meaning we can drink it.  About 70% of that is frozen in the icecaps, meaning we have access to less than 1% of the worlds total freshwater supply.  As population increases so does demand of and contamination of this little bit of water.  You should probably start caring, more than likely there are water shortages coming to an area near you!  Restart the quiz for a more positive answer!

Option C.  Surprise!
You are probably a skeptic about individuals making a difference, and rightfully so!  To truly solve the worldwide global water crisis we need a massive rehaul of our agricultural and manufacturing systems.  However, you should try looking at it from this perspective.  About 8.5% of the U.S.A.’s water usage goes to municipal use.  Depending on the age of your toilet, each flush uses about 1.6- 7 gallons of water.   That is about 2000 gallons of potable water going down the drain per year per toilet.  That water usage quickly adds up- as water becomes scarcer and global population increases, this little bit will make a difference (both fiscally and environmentally)!  Restart the quiz.

Option D. Well…
Technically, nature is a socially constructed object; therefore what we see as natural is determined by ourselves based upon our own interests.  Composting toilets are in your best interest and probably the closest thing to natural we can get in the modern world.  Try again.

Option E.  YES!
You probably believe in moral holism, that is, humans we are a part of nature and the environment.  However, this does not mean that we can do whatever we want!  You want to do your best to conserve what little water we have and a composting toilet is a smart solution for your home or business!  You may even be interested in making humanure, that is soil made from your waste.  For more information on composting toilets and their use for humanure, see the video and links below.

Did I mention composting toilets work in RV's too?  While this information is RV specific, the general information is essentially the same as in a home (although time frames are likely extended with larger systems).

More Information/ References:

http://humanurehandbook.com

http://www.letsgogreen.com/how-composting-toilets-work.html

http://water.org/water-crisis/water-facts/sanitation/

http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange2/current/lectures/freshwater_supply/freshwater.html

http://www.epa.gov/watersense/our_water/water_use_today.html

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/graphic-science-how-much-water-nations-consume/

http://www.worldwatch.org/node/4751