| As dealers of composting toilet systems, we are | | | | Aerobic microbes are very efficient, breaking down |
| accustomed to getting a lot of questions about how | | | | waste quickly, and most importantly, they do not put |
| our units work and how they're able to operate | | | | off methane or sulfate gasses in the decomposition |
| without odor. To that end, we've compiled a list of | | | | process. Second, Sun-Mar systems are designed to |
| some of our most frequently asked questions, which | | | | maintain a constant airflow through the unit, drawing |
| may be helpful to consumers who are considering | | | | air up and out through the vent stack. This airflow |
| purchasing a composting toilet or who just want to | | | | maintains a partial vacuum in the toilet, which |
| better educate themselves on this eco friendly | | | | guarantees odorless operation. |
| waste management solution. Please be sure to note | | | | Want more proof? All of Sun-Mar's composting toilets |
| that all the information in this article pertains | | | | are tested and certified by the National Sanitation |
| specifically to Sun-Mar composting toilet systems. | | | | Foundation, and the NSF will only certify composting |
| 1. What is composting and how does a composting | | | | units that produce no odor. To check for yourself, |
| toilet work? | | | | see Sun-Mar's listing on the NSF website. |
| Composting is the basic process of breaking down | | | | 3. Where can a composting toilet be installed? |
| organic matter. For example, in a garden composter, | | | | Anywhere you need a toilet. Composting toilets are |
| you put in yard waste such as leaves, grass clippings, | | | | very popular in cottages, cabins, pool houses, boat |
| and mulch, and eventually you get finished compost. | | | | houses, and garden sheds. They can also be used in |
| Compost, also known as "black gold," is the most | | | | park shelters, remote offices or dormitories, barns, |
| fertile substance you can use for planting, fertilizing, | | | | and security posts. Composting toilets are also |
| and amending soil. This is because it contains all the | | | | frequently used in primary residences, in areas where |
| essential minerals and nutrients that plants need to | | | | there is a water shortage, or for those who simply |
| grow and thrive. | | | | don't want to spend the money to put in a septic |
| Human waste can be composted just like any other | | | | system. A composting toilet can even be used on an |
| organic matter. In fact, the composting process is | | | | RV or boat! |
| even more rapid than in a garden composter, | | | | 4. Is it easy to operate? What kind of ongoing |
| because our digestive systems have already done | | | | maintenance is required? |
| the majority of the breaking down process for us. | | | | Sun-Mar composting toilets are very easy to operate. |
| Human waste is about 90% water, which means that | | | | For ongoing operating, all you need to do is add |
| one of the primary functions of a composting toilet is | | | | bulking material such as Compost Sure or Compost |
| evaporation. Sun-Mar composting toilets feature a | | | | Sure Blue (a mixture of peat moss and hemp stalk |
| separate evaporation chamber where liquid is | | | | that helps maintain the right balance of carbon and |
| warmed (in electric units only) and evaporated with | | | | nitrogen in the compost) to the toilet on a daily basis. |
| the assistance of a fan that is constantly moving air | | | | The amount of bulking material to add will vary |
| through the unit. Bulking material and microbes are | | | | depending on the type of unit you have, and your |
| added to break down the remaining minerals and | | | | Sun-Mar product manual will have specific details. |
| what you are left with is a clean, dry, non-offensive | | | | Every 2-3 days while the unit is in use, pull out the |
| compost---exactly the same end product as you | | | | recessed handle and crank it around, which will rotate |
| would get from a backyard garden composter, or | | | | the inner drum. If you're only using the unit on the |
| what you'd buy from a local nursery or garden | | | | weekend, simply rotate the drum when you arrive |
| center. | | | | and again just before you leave. The most important |
| 2. Does a composting toilet smell bad? | | | | part of these regular maintenance procedures is that |
| Absolutely not. Sun-Mar composting toilets are | | | | you never have to come into contact with the |
| odorless for two reasons. First, sewer gasses are a | | | | waste inside the toilet. Sun-Mar systems are |
| byproduct of anaerobic composting, which means | | | | specifically designed to be user friendly and require no |
| that the materials being broken down aren't aerated | | | | direct contact with the compost until it is fully finished |
| with ample oxygen. Sun-Mar's units all use aerobic | | | | and sanitized. |
| composting as their method of breaking down waste. | | | | |