Discussion: Human Waste Disposal without Water

How do you dispose of human fecal matter if you can't flush?

Respond with your comments, questions, solutions, real world experiences, guesses....

I'll start.

If you're using a wood fire, save the white ash. Make sure the ash is cold, and put a spoon full of it over the poop. It'll kill the smell and keep the flies away.

Fill the bucket, dump it into your burn barrel or into your compost, and repeat as required.

 

Just uploaded:
Military Manuals - FM 21-10 Field Hygiene and Sanitation | Survival Monkey Forums

 

Downloaded the FM. What I see is a very high level directive. Nothing (and I mean NOTHING) that's useful when referencing the FM itself. It relies on an infrastructure of training, SMEs, and references.

Example: Page 2-30.
DISPOSE OF YOUR WASTE IN AN APPROVED MANNER

So either you have a library of FMs so you can follow the bread trail, or ???

 

I like the idea of an outhouse over an inspection cover. Hopefully there's enough water for a decent flush.

I was thinking of collecting urine and using it for the flush. Keep it in a lidded jar or use plenty of bleach.

 

Just looked at 3M-TA3's post in the other thread. I retract my earlier comment about the FM containing only high level concepts. The appendix contains details that're useful.

Thanks for downloading the FM.

 

There is a guy who did a whole year of collecting his family's waste and composting it. Did tests etc. I will see if I can find it

Supposedly urine mixed with water is good for some of your plsnts. Personally I'm not willing to make my eco system that tight unless I have too

EDIT:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PpCOo722ujOZCA72aLcpqAjULZkx95JIP0xa7w6ZwOk/edit
THE HUMANURE HANDBOOK
THIRD EDITION
A GUIDE TO COMPOSTING HUMAN MANURE
by Joseph Jenkins
ISBN-13: 978-0-9644258-3-5
ISBN-10: 0-9644258-3-1
Library of Congress Control Number: 2005902104
Copyright 2005 by Joseph C. Jenkins


Humanure Resources
Solviva - Sustainable Solar-Dynamic Bio-Benign Design: Offering Better Ways to Live, at Less Cost Today and Tomorrow, Anywhere on Earth
http://www.permaculture.co.uk/readers-solutions/how-make-vermicomposting-flush-toilet
Permaculturing in Portugal
SOLVIVA | Good Living at Less Cost
Permaculturing in Portugal
Rainwater Harvesting Collection Systems | RainXChange

my favorite is the 'vermicomposint-flush-toilet'

 

I guess ammonia (NH4) is good for plans, but I wonder if urine would eventually poison your soil with salts (NaCL and KCl).

 

There goes my plan to crap in my favorite neighbors yard...

 

well crap! now I have to go check the check valve to the main sewer line!

 

I doubt many have the real estate to dig a slit trench. My first house was on a quarter acre and I'm currently on one acre, but I've lived in lots of trailers, apartments, etc.

Slightly off topic, but regarding personal hygiene should the SHTF.... When camping, I clean my dishes with sand. The military says this can be hazardous, but I say if a person is careful and chooses clean sand, it can be done indefinitely without incurring harm.

 

? Water water everywhere !! Got that covered 6 ways to sunday. I will have water to flush, but do I want to, that is the real question for me. Seem a serious waste to not use urine (aged 30+ days to kill pathnegens ) (sp) mixed 20 parts water to 1 part urine. I on occasion use this on ornamental plants and they grow and bloom like crazy. I have at least 2 books that research all this in depth.

 

5 gallon bucket composting toilet is pretty easy. In a longer term situation I suppose you could burn it or bury it.

I have another post about a waterless toilet for a vehicle and conserving water for flushing.

 

Beat me to it. Having 5 dogs (more at times) I do a lot of experimenting with dog crap composting.

Here is the free online version of the Humanure book.
The Humanure Handbook - Table of Contents

 

Where you are located will determine the best means of waste disposal. I have found that digging a "Cat Hole" every time, and letting things dry out instead of burying is useful. Cover with cold ash mixed with dry soil until your stuff is dry, then spread out on the ground in thin layers away from living and travel areas. Can be used for gardens and trees. If you live near running or tidal water, just deposit in the water and let Mother Nature take care of things. This also helps with "problems" that come from retaining waste on site, I.E. animals coming into investigate, smell that can give away a location, and health risks with handling waste, Ect...

 

This subject has been widely covered in a number of threads.....just use the monkeysearch feature and type in composting toilets....there will be a number of hits....including one of my own threads on the topic.....Oh $h!t! The Most Lovable Loo in the West... | Survival Monkey Forums



further references:

How to Convert Human Waste into a Safe Garden Compost Fertilizer, by Robert Wayne Atkins, P.E. - Grandpappy