If you’re reading this article, you’re probably either considering van life or already living the lifestyle. You may also be wondering if composting toilets are the best option for van life because you’re not happy with your current toilet solution.
Well, after trying various campervan toilet solutions over four years of living on the road, I'm here to share how a composting toilet was the best option for van life.
To sum up briefly, portable composting toilets use the natural process of decomposition and evaporation to kickstart the composting process of humanure.
It’s important to understand that composting toilets don’t actually complete the composting process. They separate liquids from solids, typically using a urine diverter. Solids are stored in a chamber where they are mixed with carbon-rich organic material, like coconut coir. This creates an environment conducive to aerobic decomposition.
Solids can be emptied into a true compost pile to complete the composting process or disposed of in an approved waste receptacle. Liquids are often stored separately and can be emptied in an appropriate location.
You can learn more about portable composting toilets, how they work, and how to empty them here. But for now, we’ll focus on how great they are for van life.
Most people who choose to live in a van are supportive of minimalism and eco-friendly living solutions. They also look for more convenient ways to do daily tasks (I swear, everything takes longer and is more difficult when living in a van!). Odor is also a concern; since their homes are very small, smells are more difficult to mask. Well, a composting toilet addresses all of these items!
When I started living in my van full time, I only had 10 gallons of water capacity in my campervan. I was able to make that last a full week. Every drop counted.
Composting toilets don’t use any water, so you never have to worry about using up your precious resource if you don’t plan on refilling your water often. And even if you have enough water, it doesn't mean you should use it for poo…
Composting toilets don’t use chemicals like portable camping or cassette toilets. The materials used are completely organic. You can even add the matter from your solids bin directly to a compost bin if you happen to have one!
I personally chose a Cuddy Composting Toilet due to its space-saving design, among other reasons. I have used it in two different campervans so far. It fit perfectly where my old portable camping toilet was in my first campervan, so I didn’t have to modify anything.
In my second campervan, Cuddy just sat on the floor in a corner without any issues. It’s so cute; it never feels like an eyesore, and I can use it as an additional seat! One of these days, I’ll get a rad bamboo lid so it looks even more appealing.
I used a portable camping toilet for the first year of living in my campervan. It was better than nothing, but a pain in the rear to deal with. I had to find a dump station at least weekly to empty it. That can get expensive, and sometimes you have to really hunt for a dump station that’s open.
One really annoying surprise was that when you change elevation, the pressure would often build inside the toilet, and when you needed to use it, you’d get splattered with whatever was in the holding tank when you opened the trap door, and the pressure was released. Gross.
My composting toilet only had to be emptied every 3-4 weeks. I simply dumped the solids into a compostable bag and threw it into an appropriate receptacle. No more dump stations!
Even with the chemicals you put in a portable toilet, it often starts smelling bad before emptying, especially if the weather is warmer.
With a composting toilet, there’s no smell. Promise! And when you live in a small space, this is very important.
As a woman, I’ll only use a composting toilet for van life going forward. This may sound weird, but a composting toilet made me feel safer on the road. I don’t have to rely on public restrooms, I’m not dependent on dump stations, I can clean it easily myself, and my composting toilet feels much more hygienic than other portable toilet options.
In case you’re wondering, ladies, you can use a composting toilet while on your period without any issues. If you use a menstrual cup, it can be emptied directly into the solids bin, although it can add a little more moisture. You may have to empty your solids bin a little sooner than normal or add more organic material to help absorb moisture.
You can put toilet paper in a composting toilet, although you should be mindful of the type and quantity of toilet paper you use. I used a separate, small, airtight container to store my used toilet paper and any feminine products in, and then disposed of them along with my other garbage. Sanitary napkins and other feminine products should not be put into a composting toilet since they are not biodegradable.
Like everything with van life, there are things to consider when selecting the items you add to your tiny space. Many sizes, styles, and types of composting toilets are available on the market.
The top things I researched when choosing my composting toilet were:
You might be thinking, just like I initially did, “I’m just going to poop in the woods or use public restrooms.”
Yes, technically, that’s an option. But here’s the deal: Sometimes public restrooms aren’t available when you need them. Or, they are just outright gross. Human waste is not good for the environment before being composted. It takes years to break down in catholes, continuing to carry harmful pathogens, and some medications that carry on through your poo can actually be toxic to animals and the environment.
Some of our public lands require you to pack out your poo due to the delicacy of the environment. Park Rangers pack out pounds of human feces annually from our National Parks. And many of our popular camping spots are so overridden now, if everyone digs a cathole for their poo, eventually, someone is going to dig up someone else’s poo… and that’s just gross…
Anyways, if you’re deep back in the backcountry on a backpacking trip or have an emergency while out on a hike in the frontcountry, by all means, practice Leave No Trace and bury your poo. But if you have a choice, consider getting a portable toilet for your van life travels.
If you’re still deciding whether a composting toilet for van life is the best option for you, weigh your options and make your decision based on your overall needs.
Composting toilets are a sustainable, eco-friendly, low-maintenance solution for any traveler’s toilet needs. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or traveling in an RV full-time, a composting toilet can free you from the constraints of other traditional toilet options on the road.
Sierra Eberly is an avid trail runner and solopreneur who has traveled full-time in a campervan since 2020.
After traveling for over a year while working remotely full-time at a corporate job, she shifted gears and pursued her passions for writing and marketing strategy.
Boondock Consulting was formed, and she now supports like-minded small businesses with their big aspiration.
Sierra continues to travel, balancing work and play while trying her best to make a minimal impact on the planet and enjoying everything it offers. You can follow along with her travels via Instagram or Sierra’s personal website, Sierra’s Traverse.
