Lady campers, would you use an eco/composting loo at a camp site? If not, why?

[theparkkeeper]

Should I spend money on conventional flush WCs to improve my campsite or would it be a wise move to only add decent compost loos?

We tried a basic compost loo many years back and got mixed feedback and problems with women not using them properly (non separation of waste type). Men seemed to be better users (seperate, conventional urinals and solids only facilities).

Last season, a number of customers actually suggested that we get some compost loos going

The type of compost loo I'm thinking of is supposedly smell free but it does have the complication of 2 "aiming" zones for liquid and solid waste (aka pee and poo/paper). See photo for the type of arrangement.

If you stayed at a camp site that had compost loos, would you see it as a plus or a negative - or neither.

Would you use a "pee only" loo (conventional loo seat, no need to aim but no solids other than paper allowed).

There will still be a conventional WC option but at the moment, we get queues which understandably causes complaints.

We are adults only - so no children under 16.

Before anyone asks - no we don't compost close to the pitches. The waste will be taken away and used on a seperate, private garden.

I'm looking for the opinions of tent and tourer caravan users.

Thanks

Erm, I don’t think I could move and direct wee and poo in different pots sorry!

I’m a tent camper and I’m afraid I always go for flushing loos. I’m too old to be faffing around with anything else 😄

I would be ok with this, I don't mind basic facilities if the site has other things to make up for it, for example, amazing location and views and cheap price per night. If it was a "normal" site with midrange rates, I would want normal facilities.

Im not a tent or tourer van person but I have quite happily used different types of compost loos in many places

theyre finem people just need to get used to them.

I have used them at campsites before, and preferred them to some camping facilities, which can be a bit grim. BUT - these ones were absolutely spotless (frequently checked/cleaned), quite new, and probably the best possible example of a composting toilet. So my experience is possibly slightly enhanced. There was also a very high ratio of loos to people (as there were very few people at the event I was camping at), so that probably helped too.

Having said that, the friends I often camp with would 100% not entertain the idea of composting loos, so that would count our collective party out.

It depends what kind of site you are. If you don't have electric hook up, and are more on the 'wild' side of things, then composting is probably fine. But if you're an 'all mod cons' with a facilities block, then you're probably going to need real loos.

I think @NannyR probably highlights why people may be reluctant to use them.
the perception that they are ‘basic’ facilities.

I have avoided many a public facility with flusing loos because they were filthy and smelly. Ive never used a composting loo that smelt or was dirty.

If they are done properly, including hand washing facilities, there is no need for them to be seen as a basic facility.

Separating eliminations and/or aiming are not going to happen. It’s simply not possible.

I've used composting loos at campsites before and been fine with them. You don't have to "aim" really - you just have to make sure you're sitting not perching or hovering and as long as you're sitting square on the seat, your body will do the rest for you.

I'd actively select a campsite which used them.

I did feel sorry for the owners at the last one though as some idiot put a load of the sawdust down the part intended for pee, and blocked it, and the owners had to spend what must have been a delightful couple of hours cleaning it out (not envy)

I grew up with composting toilets ( it as fancy as modern ones!) so I'd be fine using it, however I would struggle with the 'seperation' part as I often only decide I need a poo when I sit down!
Saying that, if there were both options I would use both.

ive stayed at one site with composting loos and we actually left the next day as they were so awful. I actually peed in a bottle to avoid going into them and avoided drinking. I would never stay in a place with those loos again.

I completely agree with the comment that I'd be fine with the loo as long as there's a proper sink with running water and soap for a handwash.

Absolutely not. Sometimes I only need to poo when I sit down. And that can be urgent (well controlled ins but occasional issues) and explosive. Worrying about the toilet would be quite distressing. So no, absolutely would not use them.

I'd use a composting loo as long as it was clean and tidy and I could wash my hands.

The separation thing looks a bit of a faff and I'd probably worry about something going in the wrong place. No one needs that bother when all they want to do is go to the loo.

Having to sit "square" on the loo seat is a problem for many women though, many women squat & hover over the seat when using public loos for hygiene reasons.

I'd use one, if I had too, but would rather not (and I wild camp). The separation bit would be my problem, how can I aim?! Wouldn't particularly worry about them smelling any more than any other public loo.

I like a flush. Sorry !

The only time I used a compost toilet was at a huge bike rally in the UK. It was only open to the women, and was spotless. Much better than going to stinking portaloos.

I've used composting loos at campsites with no problems but I like having a real flush one on-site too. Then I can visit the real one for a poo or when dealing with periods.

I presume it doesn't matter if wee goes in the poo part, just the other way around.

Definitely flushing toilets and running water for us, we’ve tried both and I thought the composting toilets were gross.

I have no problem with composting loos as long as they aredesigned not rget messy (mine or other people's) and have handwashing . I think you probably need to add more flushing loos where the existing loo block is but maybe you could install compost loos elsewhere on the site at rhe opposite end for example, as an 'optional extra'

However I don't think you can tell people not to poo in any of the loos, it's confusing culturally and unreasonable biologically!

I'm fine with using composting toilets but have never come across seperate ones like this. I think I might struggle to be that accurate..

I'm fine with it - in fact I'd far far prefer it. But I can see as @parietal says sometimes people would opt for a flush one. However I'd REALLY like hot water, and decent soap in a dispenser. Which sometimes is an anomaly with 'greener' facilities, however in this day and age with solar even in winter you can pretty much muster enough solar to heat water even if you're off grid.

My only experience of using them have been in national parks in Australia and New Zealand - they were definitely basic and rather smelly!
It sounds like there are other types that are more user friendly.

No problem with using it but the separation idea is not happening.

Just not biologically possible for some people.