What a camping compost toilet is
A camping compost toilet is a waterless, flush-free toilet. Most portable models are better described as dry-separating toilets: they keep urine and solids apart, and you cover solids with a dry material such as coco coir, wood shavings or peat moss. There are no chemicals and no water needed for flushing.
They are used in vans, cabins, boats, tents at established sites and anywhere without a flush toilet nearby.
How it works
Most portable designs share the same parts:
- Urine diversion: a funnel or divider in the bowl sends liquid into a separate container. Keeping urine away from solids is the main way these toilets limit odor. The liquid container is usually a few litres, so it fills quickly with several users.
- Solids container: a bucket or compartment holds solids, which you cover after each use with your dry material.
- Cover or bulking material: it absorbs moisture, reduces smell and helps solids dry out.
- Seat and lid: a lid keeps things closed between uses, and some models include a vent or small fan.
Does a compost toilet really work?
For managing smell and avoiding chemicals, a well-used dry-separating toilet generally works. Some honesty about expectations helps, though:
- A small portable unit is mostly a collection and cover system. Full composting takes a long time and managed conditions, which a bucket on a camping trip does not provide.
- You still have to empty it and deal with the contents properly.
- Results depend on correct use, particularly keeping urine and solids separate and using enough cover material.
Bulking agents and cover material
Common options are coconut coir, wood shavings or sawdust, wood pellets, hemp litter and peat moss. Pick something dry, absorbent and low in dust. Coir is popular for being light and compact when dry. Avoid anything with strong added scents or treated wood. Follow the manufacturer’s advice if the toilet has a specific recommendation.
What about toilet paper?
Many people put a small amount of toilet paper in the solids bin, and plain unscented paper breaks down more readily than thick or scented types. Other users prefer to bag used paper separately. Rules differ between sites and waste facilities, so check what your campground or the local authority allows, and never add wet wipes unless the maker says they are acceptable.
Where to empty it
This is the part many first-time users overlook. Options depend on where you are:
- Urine: many campers pour it out where local rules allow, such as into a flush toilet or a designated dump point. Do not empty it near water sources or campsites.
- Solids: commonly bagged in a compostable or ordinary bag and disposed of in a general waste bin where permitted, taken to a facility that accepts it, or handled through a managed home compost system. Local regulations vary, and some campgrounds do not allow it.
Check campground rules and local waste guidance before you travel, and ask the site if you are unsure. Our camping dos and don’ts and national park camping rules cover how waste and toilets are usually regulated. Do not dump solids into the ground, in water or at general toilet blocks unless explicitly permitted.
Who it suits (and who it does not)
A compost toilet may suit you if you:
- Camp in a van, camper or at sites without toilets for several days (see RV camping for beginners for how toilets fit into a rig).
- Travel with children or others who need a toilet at night.
- Want to avoid chemical toilet fluids.
- Are comfortable with emptying a container.
It may be less suitable if you only go on short trips to sites with good toilet blocks, are camping with limited space, or have nowhere you can legally dispose of the contents. For tent camping at a campground, the facilities are usually the better choice, and a shower and toilet block often go together, as covered in our guide to where to shower when camping.
Odor, cleaning and daily use
Good habits matter most: keep urine and solids separate, use plenty of cover material, empty the liquid container before it is full and keep the lid closed. Clean the bowl and containers with mild soap or a cleaner the maker recommends, and let parts air dry. Store it in a ventilated spot, and avoid leaving full containers in a hot vehicle.
Choosing one
Compare capacity (how many people and days), weight and size, how easy the containers are to remove and empty, how well the diverter fits, and how stable the seat is. Prices vary widely, and models typically range from a basic bucket-style unit up to larger boxes with fans and indicators. Check reviews and what accessories, such as liners, are needed.
FAQ
Can you put toilet rolls in compost?
Often a small amount of plain toilet paper is fine in the solids bin, but check the toilet’s instructions and your disposal route. Wipes and scented paper are generally best avoided.
What is the best bulking agent for a composting toilet?
Many people use coir, wood shavings, pellets or hemp litter. The best one is dry, absorbent and available where you travel.
How often does it need emptying?
It depends on the container size and the number of users. Urine containers usually need emptying more often than the solids bin.