40 Sanitation and Cleanliness for a Healthy Environment
To use and maintain a 2 chamber dry toilet
The urine-separating
device is nailed to the
inside of the toilet
hole. A screen placed
inside the device
will keep things from
falling into the tube.
When the screen is
blocked, remove it,
clean it, and replace it.
Keep a pot of mixed
soil, ash and dry plant
matter in the shelter.
After each use, throw 2
handfuls down the dry
part of the toilet bowl.
Then close the lid.
Post instructions to
help people use and
maintain the toilet.
Keep a pot of water in
the shelter. Add a little
water to the urinal and
the urine separator of
the toilet bowl after
each use, to control
the smell.
Keep unused
chamber covered
when not in use.
Make a urinal from a
plastic jug and attach
a tube to carry urine
to a container or
drainage pit.
• Make sure no water gets in the toilet chamber.
• If the contents of the toilet get wet, add more dry matter.
• If the toilet smells bad, add more dry matter, and make sure the vent pipe is
clear.
• If the pile builds up too high, use a stick to push it back down.
• When the urine pot is full, empty it and make fertilizer. (See pages 41 to 42.)
• When the first chamber is full, use the other chamber. Be sure to cover the
first chamber.
• It is best to let the feces sit for a full year before emptying the chamber.
After a year, or when the second chamber is full, empty the first chamber
and repeat the process.
Do not put garbage in the toilet
For ecological toilets to work, they must only be used for
excrement. Women having their monthly bleeding may
safely use ecological toilets. But sanitary pads and other
products should be put in trash bins – not in the toilet.
Ecological toilets cannot be used to dispose of things
that will not break down, such as cans, bottles, plastic,
tampons, or large amounts of paper. They can take small
amounts of paper, leaves, sawdust and other plant matter
because these things break down and can be turned back
into the soil.
Do not put garbage
in the toilet.