09-06-2018, 04:18 AM
I have done both, vermicomposting method, and the "humanure" approach MarkP describes. The humanure method works fine to get started, but you always gotta deal with the whole dumping a bucket of crap thing. If you don't mind doing that a couple times a week, its fine. He's certainly correct that nothing leaves the pile. It all composts up right there. Far from up to code, but nobody can make the claim you are contaminating ground water or the ocean (which is very true of thousands of cesspools on the island).
By vermicomposting, the worms essentially drastically accelerate the decomposition time, reduce the bulk by 10x, and do all the mixing and aerating for you. They will home in on poo like a guided missle, and promptly digest and deodorize it. If you should ever have odor, it's a sign to give it organic material (carbon). Perhaps once every several YEARS the chamber will need to be emptied, but most reports are that they just keep pooing, and the worms keep eating, and the container never seems to fill up. I suppose the ability to slide one IBC tote out from under the outhouse and replace with a new one would be helpful, perhaps annually. The full container could be left for a month to finish composting before use.
In both cases, and (more easily) if you are male, don't pee in your outhouse. Go find a tree. You actually get more fertilization (nitrogen) by "direct use."
By vermicomposting, the worms essentially drastically accelerate the decomposition time, reduce the bulk by 10x, and do all the mixing and aerating for you. They will home in on poo like a guided missle, and promptly digest and deodorize it. If you should ever have odor, it's a sign to give it organic material (carbon). Perhaps once every several YEARS the chamber will need to be emptied, but most reports are that they just keep pooing, and the worms keep eating, and the container never seems to fill up. I suppose the ability to slide one IBC tote out from under the outhouse and replace with a new one would be helpful, perhaps annually. The full container could be left for a month to finish composting before use.
In both cases, and (more easily) if you are male, don't pee in your outhouse. Go find a tree. You actually get more fertilization (nitrogen) by "direct use."