Tiveys Carpentry & Joinery - Reliable Friendly Service

Composting toilets


Yes I know its not what you would expect to find on a carpenters web site, but here it is the Tiveys composting loo. This one is on our local allotment, with there being more ladies and children on site nowadays, as allotments are more and more popular, and not so many people these days are happy going in a bucket in a shed! It was decided by the comittee and the local council, that a loo should be installed on site. Many options were looked at, the chemical toilet, and one connected to a cess pit etc and all options were costly and ther were no nearby services. So I came up with this design for a composting loo, and built it for the allotment. A composting loo is good for the envoiroment and clean and safe to use.

Yes I know its not what you would expect to find on a carpenters web site, but here it is the Tiveys composting loo.

This one is on our local allotment, with there being more ladies and children on site nowadays, as allotments are more and more popular, and not so many people these days are happy going in a bucket in a shed! It was decided by the comittee and the local council, that a loo should be installed on site.

Many options were looked at, the chemical toilet, and one connected to a cess pit etc and all options were costly and ther were no nearby services. So I came up with this design for a composting loo, and built it for the allotment. A composting loo is good for the envoiroment and clean and safe to use.


How it works is quite simple. Its a shed sat over a pit in the ground, the pit is lined with various things to help the composting, seal it from vermin and to stop the pit caving in or collapsing. Then a conrete base is built for the shed to sit on safely The inside of the building was adapted by me, and all of the fittings built to make it a clean and serviceable place to go to. After you have paid a visit, a scoop of either ash or wood shavings is deposited in to the pit to help to dry out what ever is in there, and to help with the composting of it. This pit should last the allotments a few years before the shed needs to be moved, thats right moved, when the pit is full you make another pit the same as the last one and move the shed. The compost can then be used or just plant a nice tree in it! So its quite a worthwhile investment.

How it works is quite simple.

Its a shed sat over a pit in the ground, the pit is lined with various things to help the composting, seal it from vermin and to stop the pit caving in or collapsing. Then a conrete base is built for the shed to sit on safely

The inside of the building was adapted by me, and all of the fittings built to make it a clean and serviceable place to go to.

After you have paid a visit, a scoop of either ash or wood shavings is deposited in to the pit to help to dry out what ever is in there, and to help with the composting of it.

This pit should last the allotments a few years before the shed needs to be moved, thats right moved, when the pit is full you make another pit the same as the last one and move the shed. The compost can then be used or just plant a nice tree in it! So its quite a worthwhile investment.


You would expect the composting loo to be a bit smelly, after all the victorians invented the water filled flushing loo to get rid of the foul smells and nastys, so over the years I suppose we have all got used to the idea that when you have done what you need to, its gone forever along with any smell! With this design the lining of the pit is important as this helps eliminate any smell and keep the flies down (Yes they could be a problem if the pit is not made correctly) On the side of the shed is a vent pipe from the pit creates its own updraught, removing any odour from the building itself, and when the toilet lid is down the pit is sealed, all but for the vent pipe! And then as in the instructions you drop your scoop of either ash or wood shavings down there and this is another way to keep the smells down

You would expect the composting loo to be a bit smelly, after all the victorians invented the water filled flushing loo to get rid of the foul smells and nastys, so over the years I suppose we have all got used to the idea that when you have done what you need to, its gone forever along with any smell!

With this design the lining of the pit is important as this helps eliminate any smell and keep the flies down (Yes they could be a problem if the pit is not made correctly) On the side of the shed is a vent pipe from the pit creates its own updraught, removing any odour from the building itself, and when the toilet lid is down the pit is sealed, all but for the vent pipe! And then as in the instructions you drop your scoop of either ash or wood shavings down there and this is another way to keep the smells down


Then finally the inside if the shed was adapted by me, and given a good few coats of varnish. it has storage bins for the ash and wood shavings, a loo roll holder, storage for the loo rolls and shavings bags. It also has accsess doors to the pit so that if you drop your keys or phone down there YOU can get it out. (Yes your on your own with that job!) Handwashing was the only issue here so the solution to the problem was hand gel systems. many are available on the market but we found one from Wilkos that was cheap enough and good enough for the job. Everyone on site seems to be happy with the loo, as they should be. The chaps on the comittee and other hard working plot holders helped immensly by digging the pit! They worked really hard and they were a great help, and it has to be said that it would have took longer without their help. And yes its been used. Who was the first to go....Who knows but they had the honour of christening it. Thanks.

Then finally the inside if the shed was adapted by me, and given a good few coats of varnish. it has storage bins for the ash and wood shavings, a loo roll holder, storage for the loo rolls and shavings bags. It also has accsess doors to the pit so that if you drop your keys or phone down there YOU can get it out. (Yes your on your own with that job!)

Handwashing was the only issue here so the solution to the problem was hand gel systems. many are available on the market but we found one from Wilkos that was cheap enough and good enough for the job.

Everyone on site seems to be happy with the loo, as they should be. The chaps on the comittee and other hard working plot holders helped immensly by digging the pit! They worked really hard and they were a great help, and it has to be said that it would have took longer without their help. And yes its been used. Who was the first to go....Who knows but they had the honour of christening it. Thanks.

Costs
An average loo like this one would start in the region of around £1800, for me to supply and fit it out a basic one for you so that its ready to use. This one (pit)I estimate would last the allotments approximatly 5 years as ther e are only about 35(ish) plot holders. Your local council may be willing to help with the funding, as allotments are very popular with communities at the moment. but you dont have to be an allotment association to have one, you could be a campsite or a farm or anywhere a bit of the beaten track for services, so one of these could be the way to go. If you are interested in one of these loo's please contact us from this web site or email paultivjoinery@tiscali.co.uk and I will be happy to help, I can have a look at your site and give advice if required. You could always give us a call on 01283567414.

Costs

An average loo like this one would start in the region of around £1800, for me to supply and fit it out a basic one for you so that its ready to use. This one (pit)I estimate would last the allotments approximatly 5 years as ther e are only about 35(ish) plot holders.

Your local council may be willing to help with the funding, as allotments are very popular with communities at the moment. but you dont have to be an allotment association to have one, you could be a campsite or a farm or anywhere a bit of the beaten track for services, so one of these could be the way to go.

If you are interested in one of these loo's please contact us from this web site or email paultivjoinery@tiscali.co.uk and I will be happy to help, I can have a look at your site and give advice if required. You could always give us a call on 01283567414.