Where does the toilet paper go?!

A common question about composting toilet daily use and maintenance is “Where does the toilet paper go?!” Is it compostable, and if it is: won’t my humane pile look more like a dump with specks of white toilet paper peeking through?

There are different ways to approach this topic, and we’ve talked to composting toilet users who’ve actually been dealing with this about their preferred method of toilet paper disposal.

Throw it in with the rest and not compost

The easiest way to deal with toilet paper while using a composting toilet is to just throw it in there with the rest of the solids. It’s a no-second-thought approach and can be worthwhile in a lot of situations.

It’s a one-step approach to using the toilet, much like a regular one, and doesn’t require additional maintenance steps like emptying out a trash can
It’s easy for visitors that are not used to composting toilets or have reservations against using one, and it’s easier for kids.

The composting toilet will fill up faster and you will have to empty it out earlier
The added loft with the paper does make it harder to have the covering material reach the solids. An agitator may help in that regard, but it does add a couple additional steps to cleaning and maintaining your toilet.

Throw it in with the rest and compost

If you are using a composting pile, there are some additional factors to throwing your used toilet paper in with your other solids. It’s still an approach used by plenty of people, and it does not affect your compost negatively.

It’s a one-step approach to using the toilet, much like a regular one, and doesn’t require additional maintenance steps like emptying out a trash can
It’s easy for visitors that are not used to composting toilets or have reservations against using one, and it’s easier for kids.
Eco-conscious alternative to throwing it out with the household trash
Free organic material for your composting pile!

The composting toilet will fill up faster and you will have to empty it out earlier
The added loft with the paper does make it harder to have the covering material reach the solids (and hence, eliminating smell)
Depending on your compost pile and method of composting, snippets of toilet paper might be visible in your pile for a short period of time. You can prevent this by adding the toilet paper low into your pile.

Have a designated trash can

Another option to dealing with your toilet paper is using a designated (lid equipped) trash can next to your toilet for your toilet paper. You can use this for either just the toilet paper used for pee, or for all toilet paper. You can also use a compostable trash bag if you want to add the toilet paper to your humanure pile later, or you can burn it (see below).

Even if you’re just throwing the pee toilet paper in the trash can the volume and capacity of your composting toilet will be reduced significantly. This both helps with eliminating any smell and reducing the the frequency of having to empty out the toilet
You don’t have to manage toilet paper in your compost pile, or worry about snippets of toilet paper being visible, if you decide to not add it to your compost.
You can use non-compostable product in there as well, like wet wipes and period products. In that case, you can’t compost the trash though. A great alternative are compost friendly period products and compostable wet wipes.

Adds an additional cleaning and maintenance step.
Might need some more getting used to for guests not acclimated to composting toilets

Burn it

Yes, burning it is a viable option and can be used if you are having for example an outdoor fire pit.

Eliminates the trash in a eco-conscious way, plus it’s free fuel!
No need to worry about the impact on your compost pile or add to your household trash.

There might be getting some used to to burning your used toilet paper, especially if you’re not collecting it in burnable bag.
You need to collect the toilet paper in a trash can previous to burning it, so the disadvantages of that apply here as well:
Adds an additional cleaning and maintenance step.
Might need some more getting used to for guests not acclimated to composting toilets