I've just bought a Kampa Khazi (bucket-type toilet) and have been doing some research/tests as to how best to use it with respect to chemicals and available disposal facilities. I also had a great & helpful chat with the Elsan people. I thought the results might be useful for others taking on a bucket type loo for the first time so here they are...
As far as I have been able to establish the (none)use of chemicals and which ones depends completely on how you intend to dispose of the waste. Further, you may be like me and fear the consequences of splashes. I have been informed that provided chemicals are properly diluted, erring very much on the weak side, there should generally be no damage from brief splashes.
-> Emptying into a normal toilet on site:
(1) Use just water, or,
(2) Add a bit of Dettol or Zoflora etc, or
(3) Add organic green chemical but must be left to 'mature' for 3 days before entering sewage system.
-> Emptying into a site porta-loo (the large cabin type):
(1) Use just water, or,
(2) Match the colour of what is in the porta-loo; blue for blue or green for green. Do NOT mix colours or use other disinfectants.
-> Emptying into a disposal point:
(1) Use just water, or,
(2) Use blue or organic green chemicals (unless specifically directed otherwise at the site).
-> Emptying into a pit:
(1) Use organic green chemical.
-> Emptying into rubbish sac (landfill):
(1) Use a 'Wag Bag' (see Pett toilet system - Pett not 'pet'). Very convenient but also very expensive!
-> Further Notes:
(1) I cannot comment on the top 'n' tail chemicals in this regard.
(2) If using chemicals at all, do not be tempted to over-do the concentrations. Weak is good.
(3) After emptying, rinse the bucket and remove anything stuck using loo roll, then rub around with a disinfectant wipe and dry.
This is based mostly on my intended style of usage i.e. empty relatively soon after using for solids and avoid using chemicals where possible. I have found that water alone is perfectly sufficient to prevent smells for at least an hour or two after solids as long as the water level is enough to cover the solids. Wiping thoroughly (after a rinse) with a disinfectant wipe is enough to keep it perfectly clean.
I'm not an expert so any corrections or alternative views welcomed.
I spoke to Zoflora they surgested 1 in 40 dilution One capful mixed with 400ml of water makes a full strength solution. I said it was for a Kampi Kahzi.
I also surgest may be using baby bottle sterelizing tablets uses cold water "instructions on packet" If it is good enough for baby bottle plastic I can't see it hurting the plastic (food grade cleaning (not that I would eat of it anyway))
Dee x x x x x
------------- The meaning of life the universe and everything = 42 or camping?
Why do you want chemicals in a bucket loo!!! Line it with biodegradable bin liner, add 4 or so handfuls of the wood type cat litter to absorb the liquid (our rule is no solids - save this for the site facilities) and a spot of Zoflora in case of smells (but the pine scented cat litter absorbes all smells). Chuck the bag in the waste bin the next day! Bucket type loos should be for night time emergency wees only. All this been said on this site many times before.
What hasn't been said though is that there's little point in buying biodegradeable bags if you are going to chuck them in a landfill! 40year old newspapers have been dug out of landfills still perfectly legible. The conditions within a landfill stop things breaking down, and its a good thing they do because the chemicals which would leach into the groundwater if they didn't would be a disaster. So we should be putting as little as possible into landfills; and a bit of wee can go down the toilet!
We will have to disagree Margie as our views are clearly at opposite ends of the spectrum. Neither the manufacturers nor logic suggest that bucket loos are for emergency night-time wees only. They have ample capacity and a seat; use for solids is expected. There are bottles for wee only that are much cheaper, smaller and easier to handle and clean (inlcuding for use by ladies).
There are many reasons why someone might want to use a bucket loo; I have mine. I felt it was right and proper to give careful consideration to the means of disposal and having collated what I felt was some useful information I decided to share it. If what you do suits you then that is fine. It isn't necessarily what everyone else wants to do.
It was not that I am saying don't use the bucket for solids - it's just what you are comfortable with. You will see from many, many previous posts on this forum that most people are not comfortable with using a bucket for solids - a chemical toilet - no problem. Most only use the bucket for night time wees. I personally would not be happy with solids round the tent - even in a bucket with a lid. If you are on a camp site that has toilet facilities, why would you need to use the bucket during the day? If you are on a remote site with no facilities, then I would far prefer a chemical toilet - all sealed and chemicals break down the solids. However, it is, as in everything, whatever you are comfortable with.
Thank you very much to the OP for taking the trouble to research all the options.
I have recently purchased a kampa khazi as I am going away without OH for the first time and don't want to have the dilemma of leaving a child in the tent alone if the other (or me for that matter) needs the loo in the night.
To me, it seems that the most environmentally friendly way of using these posh buckets is to flush it down a normal loo in the morning and give a rinse out with a disinfectant. I can understand if you are on a site with no facilities why you would go down the cat litter route, but it strikes me as unnecessarily adding to landfill if there are perfectly good toilets nearby?
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Topic: Bucket Type Toilets & Chemicals
