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- How should we call the excreta-derived product of a composting toilet or a UDDT? Do we need a new term?
How should we call the excreta-derived product of a composting toilet or a UDDT? Do we need a new term?
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- DaveBates
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Re: What do we know about odorous gases from composting toilets (or from composting in general)?
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Yes UDDTs have their origin in Vietnam. I would guess the English term composting was a misnomer translated from the Vietnamese. Maybe we can dig up the original terminology.
I do like the term you suggest: UDDT solids.
--Arno
Stockholm Environment Institute
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Re: What do we know about odorous gases from composting toilets (or from composting in general)?
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Founding Member of Water-Wise Vermont (formerly Vermonters Against Toxic Sludge)
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as a non native english speaker I understood the definition of biosolids in a more general way....in my understanding "sewage sludge becomes biosolids", "Composting material becomes biosolids" and "dried feces become biosolids", as for me biosolids was a gathering word for all material which after treatment "can be safely recycled and applied as fertilizer to sustainably improve and maintain productive soils and stimulate plant growth" - even just plain composting material without feces or treated animal manure.
Searching around I understand that there seems to be a strict difference - as for instance publications always express animal manure and biosolids.
Therefore I understand that the expression is only valid for sewage sludge which was not clear to me. Which would be the general word for the above mentioned applications?
Regards
Christoph
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For ease on my part, I refer you the applicable section of the Wikipedia article on UDDTs that I assisted in writing (pay particular attention to the relevant citations):
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urine-diverting_dry_toilet#Regulations
Founding Member of Water-Wise Vermont (formerly Vermonters Against Toxic Sludge)
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Poor thread - but lets go for another round.
biosolids:
I think the definition by EPA of biosolids is not wrong.
water.epa.gov/polwaste/wastewater/treatment/biosolids/Biosolids are the nutrient-rich organic materials resulting from the treatment of sewage sludge (the name for the solid, semisolid or liquid untreated residue generated during the treatment of domestic sewage in a treatment facility). When treated and processed, sewage sludge becomes biosolids which can be safely recycled and applied as fertilizer to sustainably improve and maintain productive soils and stimulate plant growth.
I think the point is what do you define as "can be safely recycled and applied as fertilizer to sustainably improve and maintain productive soils and stimulate plant growth".
But for me there is no need to change the name. As we do speak of wastewater reuse (even though some wastewaters might have heavy metals or other substances), as we speak of urine fertilizer (even though some might contain pharmaceutical substances), as we speak of humanure (even though it might contain helminth eggs).
So for me no need to invent a new name.
I know you are completely opposite on that Kai
Christoph
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Point taken. The problem is that we do not have a term everyone agrees on. Many (incl. Christoph) argue that this not compost, although with the high humidity in the air here in the upper Amazon, our one-year-old final product is likely indistinguishable from what they would call compost. (It is black, has no smell, and anyone would want it for their garden.) Humanure is a good word, but it has its opponents. I often call it ''recycled cover material'', since that is what I use it for again, and after a year the feces have mostly disintegrated and it mostly consists of the cover material that had been used. Soil would be pretty accurate, but would have its opponents, so what about ''novo-soil''?? What is your favorite, Kai?
Best wishes,
Chris Canaday
Omaere Ethnobotanical Park
Puyo, Pastaza, Ecuador, South America
inodoroseco.blogspot.com
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You need to login to replyHow should we call the excreta-derived product of a composting toilet or a UDDT? Do we need a new term?
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Chris* - I apologize for harping on this issue but I think it's vital that the language we use be a) appropriate and b) descriptive. Contrary to the material that you are referring to (the contents of a UDDT or composting toilet), "biosolids" is the specific term coined in 1991 by the Water Environment Federation and by design created to divert attention away from the material that its and its supporters were hoping to mass market, specifically sewage sludge. As you know, sludge (otherwise known as "biosolids") consists of the solids extracted from wastewater treatment plants and as such consists of far more than water, urine, feces and, if applicable, toilet paper. I would argue that we as sustainable sanitation advocates should therefore do everything in our power to distance ourselves from the term itself, the industry that uses this term, the material it describes and the surreptitious nature of the phrase's origins. Here's background on my criticism:
www.prwatch.org/files/pdfs/tsigfy_chap8.pdf
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* Note by moderator (EvM): Kai was referring to what Chris had written here (emphasis added by me):
forum.susana.org/forum/categories/70-com...ing-in-general#12716
Joe, that eThekwini Municipality mentions health risks from extracting biosolids from properly used UDDTs is apparently due to psychology and social norms, not documented cases of people getting sick.
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- categories
- Sanitation systems
- Toilets without urine diversion
- Comparisons of various toilet types
- How should we call the excreta-derived product of a composting toilet or a UDDT? Do we need a new term?