How it works: Temperature

The heat coming from piles of organic material incuding those found in composting toilets is generated by the feeding and multiplication of millions of microorganisms. Technically, the stage of the temperature cycle below 40°C is termed mesophilic, above 40°C is thermophilic.

Composting is most rapid in the thermophilic stage. As the temperature rises over 40°C, mesophilic organisms die out and are replaced by an upsurge in the population of thermophilic organisms; the agents of fastest decomposition.

Nature Loo composting toilets function well in both thermophilic and mesophilic stages, but in most cases it operates in the faster, thermophilic stage. This happens for a couple of reasons:

1. Air is drawn into the Nature Loo composting toilet through the toilet pedestal. As the air inside a house is usually warmer than the air outside, the Nature Loo chamber is kept warm. In colder climates, the chamber can also be insulated with a thermal insulation material.
2. The containers are black. This means they are an excellent absorber of heat, especially if located in natural sunlight as is recommended once they are full. Unlike most other composting toilets where the chambers are located under a house, the full Nature Loo chambers are exposed to natural sunlight for at least 50% of the composting cycle.

In the case of the Sun-Mar composting toilets the optimum temperature is maintained by the thermostatically controlled heater. For composting to proceed, the temperature of the unit must be maintained at >12°C