The Humanure Sanitation System collects human waste (urine, feces, and even vomit) for thermophilic (heat-producing) composting, which destroys pathogenic (disease-causing) organisms. The final product feeds the soil and enhances food production.
Instead of waste and pollution, it creates a product to regenerate the soil.
Components of the Humanure Sanitation System:
- Toilet – A waterproof container to collect human waste and toilet paper.
- Cover Material – A fine, carbon-based (plant cellulose) cover material to cover the human waste to prevent odors and flies. It also contributes to the thermophilic composting process which requires a certain ratio of ingredients, the bulk of which is carbon-based. Common cover materials are sawdust from trees and rice hulls.
- Compost Bins – Above-ground bins to hold material for thermophilic composting. A minimum amount of material is required for the compost to reach the desired temperatures. The contents of the toilet collection containers are placed in the compost bins for the microorganisms, who conduct the thermophilic composting, to process for a year.
To learn more about the Humanure Sanitation System, here is a paper written by Joseph Jenkins. And one in Spanish. You can find more information, books, and videos, on compost and humanure, at his site.
