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What a composting toilet actually does in a campervan
A composting toilet for a campervan is a waterless, urine-diverting dry toilet: a separator funnel directs urine into a canister while solids drop into a separate container lined with a compostable bag and covered with absorbing material. The main trade-off is simple: you use little or no water and never need a dump station, but you must empty two containers separately and stay on top of the routine (RV Flush Guide).
Key takeaways
- Most compact units marketed as “composting” toilets are really urine-diverting dry toilets; contents are usually not finished compost when you empty them, so plan to dispose of waste properly rather than use it (RV Flush Guide).
- As a guideline, FarOutRide suggests that for two people using a composting toilet full-time, plan on emptying liquids every 2 to 3 days and solids every 2 to 3 weeks, model depending.
- They suit extended trips and off-grid camping best; if you mostly stay at campsites with dump stations, a cassette toilet may be simpler (FarOutRide).
- Measure your space before buying: footprints vary a lot, from box-format models around £139 to larger wooden units over £400 (TROBOLO).
- Composting toilets need regular, hands-on maintenance; dry-flush toilets need almost none, so be honest about what suits you (FarOutRide).
How a urine-diverting composting toilet works
These toilets have three main components: a separating insert, a urine canister and a solids container. The separator keeps liquids and solids apart, which is what controls moisture and odour; when the two mix, you get the unpleasant smells and messy clean-up people associate with bad composting toilets (Drifter Vans).
After each solid use, you cover the waste with a bulking material such as wood shavings, sawdust or coco coir. This absorbs moisture and keeps air moving through the solids container, which is what dries the contents down. Because the toilet uses no water and no chemicals, there is no black tank to fill or empty.
The honest pros of a composting toilet in a van
No dump stations, ever
If your goal is boondocking or wild camping for days or weeks at a time, a composting toilet is the better fit because no dump station is needed (FarOutRide). You can set up camp and stop planning routes around petrol station loos or campsite emptying points (Drifter Vans).
Low water and chemical use
There is no flush water to carry, which matters in a van where every litre counts, and no blue chemical fluid to buy, store or dispose of. That also means no black tank to winterise in the traditional sense, though the water system itself still needs frost protection (see our guide to winterising a campervan toilet and water system).
Flexible disposal
Urine can be diluted and poured onto ground where it is legal and appropriate, and solids go out with household-type waste in their compostable bag, depending on local rules. That flexibility is the core advantage over a cassette, which really does need a chemical disposal point.
The honest cons and limitations
The contents are not finished compost
This is the point first-time buyers most often miss: many compact units mainly separate and dry waste inside the toilet, and the contents are usually not finished, pathogen-free compost when you empty them (RV Flush Guide). Treat solids as waste to be disposed of properly, not as garden compost.
More frequent emptying than you expect
The liquids canister fills quickly. For two people using one full-time, plan on emptying liquids every 2 to 3 days and solids every 2 to 3 weeks, model depending (FarOutRide). Fewer users generally means less frequent emptying, so a solo traveller may go longer between empties, but liquids remain the regular chore (FarOutRide notes more people means more frequent emptying).
Maintenance and learning curve
Composting toilets require some learning and regular maintenance: keeping the separator clean, adding bulking material, managing moisture. If you want a truly hands-off option, a dry-flush toilet needs almost none, and a cassette is familiar to most people (FarOutRide). We compare the two main approaches in our composting toilet vs chemical toilet guide.
Upfront cost
Expect roughly £139 for a basic Eurobox-format unit such as the TROBOLO BilaBox, £159 to £179 for compact travel models like the WandaGO Lite and WandaGO, £359 for the wooden TeraBlœm, and £499 for the larger SilvaBlœm, all including VAT (TROBOLO). Add the ongoing cost of compostable liners and bulking material.
Choosing the right model for your space and budget
Measure first
Footprints vary significantly, so measure the installation spot before buying, including the height needed to sit comfortably and the clearance to remove the containers (FarOutRide). Compact models are built specifically for tight spaces.
Match the format to your use
- Box-format budget units: Eurobox-style designs such as the TROBOLO BilaBox (£139) are lightweight and stackable, good for occasional use or storing away between trips (TROBOLO).
- Compact travel units: The TROBOLO WandaGO Lite (£159) and WandaGO (£179, currently discounted from £199) are built for portability, with height adjustment on the WandaGO (TROBOLO).
- Built-in wooden units: The TeraBlœm (£359) and SilvaBlœm (£499) are furniture-grade wooden units with an optional exhaust system, better for permanent installs (TROBOLO).
Do you need an exhaust fan?
Some units offer an optional electric exhaust system, which vents moisture and helps with odour control in a small van. If you go this route, remember it draws power continuously, so factor it into your electrical budget with our solar sizing guide for campsite toilet and lights.
Setting it up: a step-by-step routine
Setup is straightforward, but the routine is what makes or breaks the experience. Here is a practical checklist:
- Position and fix: Place the toilet on a flat spot, ideally secured so it cannot slide while driving. Check seat height and door clearance first.
- Fit the solids container: Line it with a compostable bag or liner and add a base layer of bulking material, such as coco coir, to cover the bottom and keep solids separated from the container.
- Seat the separator: Make sure the urine diverter is clicked in correctly. A badly seated separator is the main cause of mixing and odour.
- Use correctly: Sit down to use it (including for urinating) so the front funnel catches liquids. Aim solids towards the rear container.
- Cover after each solid use: Add a scoop of shavings or coco coir over solids. Skip this and moisture builds up fast.
- Empty liquids regularly: for two people full-time, roughly every 2 to 3 days, model depending (FarOutRide). Rinse the canister after each emptying to help keep smells down.
- Empty solids every 2 to 3 weeks for two people, model depending (FarOutRide). Seal the bag, dispose of it with household-type waste where permitted, then clean the container.
Worked example: a couple on a two-week trip
Two people travelling full-time empty liquids roughly five to six times over a fortnight (every 2 to 3 days) and solids once or twice (every 2 to 3 weeks), based on the figures in the FarOutRide guide. That means packing spare liners or bags, enough bulking material to cover solids after each use, and cleaning supplies for rinsing the containers. The whole consumable kit fits in a single storage box.
Is a composting toilet right for your campervan?
The decision comes down to how you travel. Ask yourself the questions the FarOutRide guide recommends: how long your trips are, how remote you go, how many people use the van, how much space you have, and how hands-on you are willing to be. Weekend trips and campsite nights point towards a cassette or dry-flush toilet; extended off-grid travel points towards composting.
If you decide composting suits you, start with a model that matches your space rather than the biggest unit you can afford. A well-maintained compact unit beats a poorly maintained large one every time.
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Related to this article: Self Sufficient Backyard
Self Sufficient Backyard is a guide to growing food and becoming more self-sufficient at home.
May suit: Gardeners and allotment holders interested in growing and storing more of their own food.
Keep in mind: Written for US homesteads with more land. Check local rules.
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FAQ
Do composting toilets smell?
A correctly used urine-diverting toilet should not, because odour comes mainly from liquids and solids mixing. Keep the separator seated properly, empty liquids every 2 to 3 days for two people, and cover solids after each use (Drifter Vans, FarOutRide).
Can I put the compost on my garden?
Not from a compact travel unit. Most small models separate and dry waste rather than finishing it, so contents are usually not pathogen-free compost when emptied (RV Flush Guide). Dispose of solids as waste in line with local rules.
How often do I need to empty it?
For two people full-time, plan on liquids every 2 to 3 days and solids every 2 to 3 weeks, depending on the model (FarOutRide). Solo use roughly halves the frequency.
Do I need a vent or fan?
Not always. Some models, such as the TROBOLO TeraBlœm and SilvaBlœm, offer an optional exhaust system as part of the kit (TROBOLO). It helps with moisture in a small van but needs a small continuous power draw.
What consumables do I need to carry?
Compostable liners for the solids container, bulking material such as wood shavings or coco coir, and something mild like vinegar or citric acid for rinsing the urine canister. None of it takes much space in a van.
Conclusion
A composting toilet is a strong choice for campervans used on long trips away from dump stations, as long as you accept the emptying routine and the fact that contents are waste, not garden compost. If you are still undecided, our composting toilet vs chemical toilet comparison is the natural next step.
