Where and When to Empty an RV Composting Toilet
You've heard that using a composting toilet is the way to go when camping in an RV. It would be great not to deal with black tanks, chemical treatments, and the occasional sewage smell wafting...
What are composting toilets for RVs?
A composting toilet is a waterless, eco-friendly alternative to traditional RV toilets. They separate and break down human waste using natural processes - no plumbing required.
They eliminate the need for traditional black tanks and sewage hookups, providing more freedom in choosing camping spots or staying off grid longer.
Why Choose a Composting Toilet for Your RV?
- No Black Tank Needed
- No Water Wasted
- No Chemicals
- Odor-Free
- Space-Saving
- No more dump points!
The Cuddy is your go-to composting toilet for RV adventures, long hauls, and off-grid stops. With a built-in agitator, carbon filter, and urine diverter, Cuddy is designed to handle daily use while keeping things clean, odor-free, and low maintenance. It fits in most RV bathrooms and installs easily without plumbing.
Cuddy Lite is a simplified, portable RV toilet. It uses a layering method and skips the agitator making it easier to use on the go. Cuddy Lite is perfect for weekend trips, smaller rigs, or as a backup toilet.
Compost toilets for RVs separate liquid (urine) and solid waste (poo). The solids go into a storage chamber with organic matter, such as coco coir, to help start the composting process, and the liquids go into a container with a liquid capacity of a gallon or more. Separating liquids from solid matter is the key to ensuring your composting toilet does not smell.
If your toilet has an agitator like the Cuddy composting toilet, you rotate the agitator after each use to mix the solids with the organic matter to start the decomposition process. This helps break down the solids so your solids bin doesn't fill up as quickly.
If you use a portable composting toilet like the Cuddy Lite, you add a hand full or so of compost medium to the bin after each "deposit." You will have to empty your waste bin more often, but the overall process remains the same, and you still won't have any odor!
The real pros and cons of an RV composting toilet
As popular as composting toilets for RVs are right now, there are some pros and cons to be aware of.
Why we love compost toilets for RVs
We might be biased, but we think composting toilets are pretty darn cool. Here are some of the best composting toilet facts that we get excited about!
Eco-friendliness: The most obvious and sought-after reason people choose a composting toilet is that they are an eco-friendly toilet. They don't need chemicals to treat human waste and don't use any water like a traditional toilet does - so you save on your fresh water tank!
No black tanks: You don't need a black tank with a composting toilet since all waste is ontained in the toilet solids bin and urine separator. Although one great perk of the Cuddy is that with the Urine Drain-Away-Kit, you can drain your liquid waste (urine) directly into your black or gray tank if you're installing your Cuddy permanently.
No smell: That's right! A composting toilet should not smell since the liquid and solid waste are separated. Even a cassette toilet can start to emit a sewage smell, but with a composting toilet, the only smell you might notice is a rich, earthy smell, much like the forest in the Pacific Northwest!
Saves space: Since you don't need a black tank with a composting toilet, and they don't need water to operate, you can save a significant amount of space in your RV. Many composting toilets like Cuddy and Cuddy Lite are also significantly smaller than regular toilets, not to mention portable!
Off-grid friendly: Since you don't need a significant power source to operate composting toilets, and they don't use water, they are perfect for off-grid use! No need for a dump station, and depending on how many people are using it, you'll only need to empty the solids bin of your Cuddy every 2-4 weeks.
Drawbacks of composting toilets for RVs
As with all great things, composting toilets come with a small learning curve. Most users quickly adapt, especially by following a few simple tips, you should be able to keep your composting toilet happy and in tip-top shape
Moisture Management: Warm or humid conditions can cause excess moisture in the solids bin. This just means the composting is working—but keep airflow up and follow our moisture guide if needed.
Here's a guide to help you troubleshoot excess moisture.
Fly Control: Occasionally, some flies may sneak in. Sprinkling diatomaceous earth in your coco coir helps keep pests away.
Power Needs: Cuddy Lite requires no power, but Cuddy’s internal fan works best when wired in. It boosts airflow and keeps things dry and odor-free.
Cost Considerations: While digging a hole might be free, it’s not always allowed. A composting toilet keeps you legal, clean, and self-contained—no dump station needed.
How to install a composting toilet in an RV
Download a DIY guide for installing a composting toilet in an RV.
Originally published by CaravanWorld.AU and can be viewed online or downloaded for future reference.
Most-asked questions about composting toilets for RVs
Now that you know the pros and cons of compost toilets for RVs, you probably have more questions about how composting toilets work in general. Let's have a look at some here.
-
Nope — when used properly, a composting toilet does not smell. In fact, it can be much less smelly than a regular cassette or chemical toilet.
If you do notice any odor that resembles poo, you probably just need to add some more compost medium to your solids bin, or it might be time to empty it.
-
In short, yes! Although it might be more difficult in some RV setups.
If your RV has a built-in cassette toilet, removal might be challenging. Since Cuddy is so small, some people opt to leave the hardware to their current system and simply put Cuddy into their bathroom space. Cuddy also fits right into the space that was designed for your portable chemical toilet, making it an easy replacement process.
-
Emptying your RV compost toilet is super easy! If you have a Cuddy Composting Toilet you will simply open the unit and remove the removable solids bin, grab your bag and use the handy handles to empty the contents into the bag.
With a Cuddy Lite you will open and remove the bag and put in a new bag for continued use - zip zap easy as that.
Check out this article on for more information on emptying an RV composting toilet:
-
This will depend on the solid capacity and liquid capacity of your ideal composting toilet. With Cuddy, you will empty your solids bin every 2-4 weeks and your liquids container every 1-2 days. Again, this is depending on how many people are using Cuddy.
-
The best thing to do before you travel or before you hit a new state is to check with the local authority. Each will have very specific rules for composting toilets, and where and how you dump your grey water and solids load will matter.
-
No, BUT we recommend wiring in the small fan for Cuddy to help with moisture control and the decomposition process. Cuddy can easily be unplugged from the power source when you empty and clean it or if you want to put it outside to use while camped for extended periods.
-
The cost to install a composting toilet in your RV can vary greatly, but with Cuddy, there could be no cost! If you already have a space for Cuddy, the only additional cost might be some wire connectors to connect the fan to your battery system. Some composting toilets require mounting and external venting, but Cuddy is ready to "go"!
-
The best composting toilets will align with your needs, including cost, ease of installation, and capacity. Cuddy checks all the boxes as the smallest composting toilet on the market with an agitator and a generous solids and liquids capacity. Installation is a breeze, with no need to drill external holes in your RV for venting.
-
After many collective years of the Compo Crew using them ourselves, we truly believe that compost toilets for RVs, van life, and even a tiny house is the best choice for your poo.
Composting toilets are eco-friendly and sustainable, reduce the use of fresh water, are easy to empty and clean, and are great for the entire family to use. You don't have to worry about emptying a black water tank, and you can remain self-contained anywhere you travel.
And if we do say so ourselves, Cuddy is pretty darn cute!
Read more about composting toilets in RVs
