A Review of Dry Sanitation Systems

Arturo Aburto-Medina, Esmaeil Shahsavari, Leadin S. Khudur, Sandy Brown and Andrew S. Ball
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Arturo Aburto-Medina: Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Remediation, School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora 3083, Australia
Esmaeil Shahsavari: Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Remediation, School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora 3083, Australia
Leadin S. Khudur: Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Remediation, School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora 3083, Australia
Sandy Brown: Parks Victoria, Melbourne 3000, Australia
Andrew S. Ball: Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Remediation, School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora 3083, Australia

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 14, 1-9

Abstract: Dry sanitation systems (waterless or composting toilets) have been used since the 1970s. Their use has received acceptance in rural regions of Europe and the United States. Some of the advantages of dry sanitation systems include their waterless nature, their low energy requirement and the creation of fertilizer as an added value product. Moreover, the use of such a system is a sustainable sanitation approach that may reduce the burden on infrastructure and provide sanitation to the 2.5 billion people worldwide who do not currently have access to it. The critical factors when choosing a dry sanitation system and their optimum parameters include aeration, moisture content (50%–60%), temperature (40–65 °C), carbon to nitrogen ratio (25–35), pH (5.5–8.0) and porosity (35%–50%). The temperature–time criterion approach is the most common method used to evaluate the stability and safety of the compost as a fertilizer. The risks of handling the waste after 12 months of composting have been calculated as low. Here, we have reviewed and assessed the features of dry sanitation systems currently available, focusing on those designed for and operated in remote areas such as national parks and tourist destinations and, more importantly, in rural areas in developing countries or refugee shelters where water/sanitation may be scarce.

Keywords: dry sanitation systems; waterless toilets; composting toilets; fertilizer; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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