Everything you need to know about your solids bin!

How do I empty my OGO™ Compost Toilet Solids Bin?

There are two ways to access the solids bin:

1. You can lift the top of the toilet bowl and lift the solids bin from the top of the unit.
   
2. Unlock the drawer hooks, remove the drawer and urine bottle and remove them from the front.

There is no “right” way, it comes down to your individual space and preference. After removing you can discard your compost medium from the solids bin by one of these methods:

1. Use a compostable trash bag, we suggest 15–20 litre bags for single convenient single-use dumping. You can see in our video below that this is our preferred method.
   • Once in a compost bag, it can go into a long-term compost bin/pile to finish the process.
   • If your local council allows it, throw it in the trash (It will continue composting inside the bag, even in the landfill which is safer than untreated waste which becomes biohazardous).

2. Dump bin directly onto a designated compost pile.
   • Your local community may have designated compost dumpsites already set up. If not talk with your local council about setting one up. As composting grows in popularity, the more accessible dump sites will be.
   • REMEMBER composting is a cycle, so while it starts in your solids bin, it will take 6 to 12 months to fully break down into usable and safe compost.
     • Proper rotation is important to remember (FIFO, first in first out) having several bins at various stages of the composting process helps keep the cycle moving.
     • Humanure (compost medium + solid waste) will create nitrate-rich compost, which will need to be balanced out with carbon-rich (leaves, peels, wood, food) compost to be the most effective for plants and gardening.

What compost medium do I use for my compost toilet?

If you google this question, you may get discouraged quickly at the amount of conflicting information on this topic. Compost medium refers to the organic material used to mix with the solid waste within the toilet and picking the right one MATTERS!

Some compost waste systems use a wide variety of compost mediums. These systems work by layering, (medium, waste, medium, so on) since there is no mixing needed with this style it does have the benefit of utilising a larger variety of material. However, this method also is prone to odor, and bugs, and takes more medium. Since we have a power agitator, it is NOT RECOMMENDED to use the following in the OGO™ Compost Toilet:

These materials will obstruct the unit’s agitator, resulting in improper mixing and possible motor failure. 

One of the main factors that are going to keep your unit functioning properly is your compost medium. Having a light, fluffy, and absorbent material keeps away odors and helps the beginning of the compost cycle begin. The microorganisms need oxygen to do their job, they can live on as little as 5%, but having a light compost medium, low moisture and proper ventilation will help everything fall into place.

Why is a power agitator better in a compost toilet?

If you are asking that question, then you have never had to hand crank a full solids bin. That’s okay you are not missing anything except for work. The first couple of times hand cranking is okay, but as it fills up it can take quite a bit of muscle to turn properly. There are foot pedal options as well that definitely take the strain off the arms, but we have this crazy notion, why? 

Most of us are using a compost toilet not only because it is a great eco-friendly, clean, sustainable waste system, but because we are traveling to our next bucket list destination that is going to captivate the wonder in our hearts and maybe even bring a tear to our eyes, so why would we want one second of that to be wasted on our waste? 

For a little bit of power, our 12v system lets you push one button, and our agitator will cycle for 45 seconds, giving you more time to enjoy the reasons you are on this journey.