About our toilets
When comparing the CDT to other self contained units, you will note the absence of any mechanical devices, grates, tumblers or leveling bars, etc. to try to process the manure compost in any way. No toilet parts come into contact with the manure compost except the bin itself, which is completely removable for cleaning or interchanging with another bin. Why? Moving parts are prone to failure, sticking, clogging or jamming when operating in manure compost. Also, it is important to be able to clean all manure contact areas easily to remove any Ephydridae fly larve with each emptying (see frequently asked questions). The manure composts very well unaided by mechanical devices.

Oxygen limiting & Dehydrating operational modes
The CDT can be operated in two different modes. In both modes urine is separated before mixing with manure.

Oxygen limited mode: Oxygen limiting compost results in greater overall nutrient retention in the manure compost. After each use, an inner hatch is latched shut cutting off the supply of air to the compost. This results in the inhibition of nitrogen conversion to ammonia, moisture buildup and insects that frequently occur in aerated toilets.
Breakdown of the manure typically takes 5 to 10 days, but can take longer in colder conditions or with hard manure. Manure can be allowed to compost as long as is desired by use of multiple bins with lids, making it possible to have an unlimited number of users and still allow for adequate composting time.
Dried hardwood planer shavings are the preferred additive being used at a ratio of 2 parts shavings to 1 part manure by volume. When in use, the inner hatch cover pivots to lay underneath the toilet top of the unit, keeping any condensing gases contained within the toilet.
Power venting when in use is preferred but not mandatory. The use of an insecticide or diatomaceous earth once monthly may be advisable in hot weather, although insect development is deterred using either toilet mode.

Dehydrator mode: In dry conditions, it is possible with limited use to dehydrate the manure through continual venting.   The advantages of the dehydrating mode are that capacity between emptyings is approximately doubled over composting, the use of planer shavings is reduced, and the end product is highly concentrated. A potential disadvantage to some users is that the manure is hard as opposed to broken down, making it more difficult to incorporate into soil or compost. Manure also might not be completely dry.

Use of toilet products
Urine: In most areas of the world, urine can be used safely as a fertilizer for vegetable production, including vegetables to be eaten raw.   Diluted urine is a very effective, organic fertilizer.   Urine collected by the CDT does not contain pathogens as it does not come in contact with the manure. Typical practice is to dilute 1:1 with water for use as a ground applied fertilizer or to dilute 3:1 for a spray fertilizer that comes into contact with foliage.

This garden receives leaves each fall for use as mulch the following year. The only nitrogenous fertilizer it receives is dilute urine from a 1.5 person use Cotuit Dry Toilet.

Our preferred method of urine fertilizing is using "moisture master" irrigation hose http://www.mrdrip.com/moisturemaster.htm . This porous hose can be buried or lay on the surface and directly infuses the diluted urine mix into the soil with minimal evaporative losses.   We siphon feed of out of barrels 5'- 30' above the application area once every two weeks during the growing season. Running either greywater or urine fertilizer through moisture master hose like this must be done intermittently or else floc will clog the pores of the hose.

Moisture Master hose laid out for burying in the Spring.

Otherwise, urine can be sprayed or applied with a watering can. Odor of the urine can be fairly strong when spraying, but is rarely noticeable for more than an hour after application. Spraying during rain virtually eliminates odors and provides watering in.

A few words about toilet use
1) All toilets come with a waterproof set of instructions to assist unfamiliar visitors. Users should be aware of the urinal and the need to hit it. Those of the male persuasion are encouraged to sit down. Users sometimes get planer shavings on the urinal anti-splash back filter pads, which should be brushed off with a piece of toilet paper. We give you a scoop that is very helpful in handling the shavings.
2) Leveling of the manure pile is necessary to achieve full capacity of the manure bin. This is done with a piece of wood sheathed in newspaper or left outside in some compost. Three levelings are usual per emptying.
3) Bin may weigh as much as 65 lbs. when emptying.