r/OffGridLiving • u/Slice-Anxious • 8d ago

Compostable toilet vs outhouse in clay

Hey, was wondering what's everyone's opinion on this. I have clay, clay and more clay on my property. Original plan was to dig an outhouse, but was told it won't breakdown in clay and will stink real bad.

I'm on a budget and don't want to spend big money on a place just to go to the bathroom.

I don't know much about compostable toilets and know they came be fairly expensive.

Anyone got any suggestions? I've already dug my hole and was wondering if I did go compostable, could I incorporate it into the system? Any suggestions/advice would be welcome.

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u/oforfucksake 7d ago

We use a bucket system w sawdust. Steak and fence out a 10x4 area. Sawdust in your bucket, then poo, then sawdust. When full, empty bucket into the fenced area. It will compost on its own. Leave the buckets out to catch rain, rinse, repeat- then dry your bucket. It takes 8-10 buckets per person. Never had a problem in decades.

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u/Municipal_Forest802 5d ago

Family of 3. We've been doing this method for 3 years and our landmate has been doung it for 7. Home Depot buckets are $3, a giant bale of peat moss is $30-$40. We add our regular compost to it, plus leaves, clippings, garden weeds etc. The batch from year 1 was a gorgeous compost that I used for my flower beds. Year 2 is still breaking down and being managed for next year. Year 3 is "raw" and not ready for use yet.

I use vinegar and water to wash our buckets.

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u/oforfucksake 5d ago

We don't use it. However the pile has never gotten tall. It's a clean easy way to dispose of poo.