| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| sally_in_wales |
Compostable camping loo??Just thinking, as we have recently aquired an elderly van with camping capabilities and are looking forward to a few nights away. Normally, caught short in the small hours, one heads for the nearest hedge and all is well, but occasionally this isnt practical. I'm thinking of getting one of the bottle urinal things, but that isnt great for more than a one off use, so does anyone have any cunning ideas for a reasonably pong free, compostable way of dealing with a few wees in a way that can be tipped on the compost on returning home a couple of days later? I'm currently thinking some shredded junk mail in a bucket with a close fitting lid may do the trick, but will it pong?? Is there anything eco friendly that can be added to keep things sweet apart from a few herbs? |
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| dpack |
cat ltter 
hedges |
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| sally_in_wales |
Hedges are my friend when there is a handy one  , but I hadnt though of cat litter. Would it be much better/less smelly than shredded junk mail?
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| Treacodactyl |
I also thought of cat litter, not sure if it can then be used on the compost heap. I'd also suggesat wood shavings or saw dust as they are very absorbant and can be added to a garden compost heap if no, erm, solid waste gets mixed in. | ||||
| sally_in_wales |
now woodshavings we can do in vast amounts, we also have 5 litre plastic tubs with lids that the soapmaking lye comes in, so we were thinking if we packed a couple of those half full of sawdust and maybe a few sprigs of something herbal and pleasant smelling, then over a weekend we could use one a day for those inconvenient moments and seal them down afterwards. Without wishing to be indelicate, a pint or so each into a couple of litres of wood shavings should be about the right balance for mess free/pong free campng convenience, on the understanding that one makes use of your friendly neighbourhood shrubbery when available Were wondering about charcoal as a helpful ingredient??
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| marigold |
Try it and see Sally, sounds like you might have the makings of a small-business idea there! | ||||
| sally_in_wales |
umm, can just see these on ebay  Will just be glad if we can solve one of those minor camping 5am inconveniences without giving the passing truckers an eyefull
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| sally_in_wales |
Just thought, if the sawdust and plastic tub were lined in a reused brown paper bag, would it disintegrate or help with the 'hold nose and tip onto compost' operation??
Note for the curious beyond whats good for them: Having once accidentally tipped 5 litres of intentionaly stale urine (for dyeing) all over a carpet I'm somewhat reluctant to expose the world to more of the stuff than absolutely essential! |
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| Treacodactyl |
From my experience with pine shavings and chicken droppings the pine fragrance of the shavings does tend to hide any amonia smell and along with them absorbing all the moisture it leaves my hens smelling fresh each morning (sorry, that sounds a bit like a shampoo, loo cleaner or some other form of advert but it's true). | ||||
| sean |
Ash? The ash from our barbecue seems pretty absorbent and helps keep smells down. | ||||
| Treacodactyl |
...just make sure it's not still smouldering. 
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| Mrs Fiddlesticks |
Tim's curiosity is such that he's thinking of going off in to the kitchen to measure 5 litres ( of water!! ) so that he can imagine just how much that really was..
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| moongoddess |
what a brilliant idea you have brewing there Sally  First thing that comes to my mind with odour removal is bicarb, but I guess I'm thinking saucepans not pee. The sawdust idea seems great to me - let us know how you get on; I'll be definately following this thread......
mg x |
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| sally_in_wales |
Its about a demijohn worth, not recommended. In fact, binning the carpet rapidly was the only sensible solution |
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| Brandon |
".......and can be added to a garden compost heap if no, erm, solid waste gets mixed in." (Treacodactyl)
you need to read joseph jenkins!!!!! http://weblife.org/humanure/ It's all there, plain and simple, and free to read on-line. As for the ammonia smell, it is a simple compost lesson, give the nitrogen ( in the pee) enough carbon, and it will not try to escape into the atmosphere as ammonia. A trowel full of your garden compost in the bottom of the bucket will ensure that the microbes you need are already in there, then pee, and cover with saw dust, ensuring there is sufficient to give a dry layer ontop. this stops both the flies and the odour, as it acts as a filter. and PLEASE read the joseph jenkins!! |
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| Mrs Fiddlesticks |
umm do you think flies are going to be a problem - the winged sort..
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