Why build latrines?

While we've been here in Chiapas for the last sixty or so days it seems we have developed a hobby of latrine building. We are in the midst of a project we have created at Orquideas Moxviquil to build two types of latrines on their land. We've been asked by friends and family about our project and the reasons why we are doing it.

We came to San Cristobal to see what we can learn, do, and experience. We didn't want to limit ourselves to one or two things and have tried to get involved with as many worthwhile activities as we can. The main focus behind our interests and activities is to be able to develop skills and knowledge that can benefit ourselves and others to find a logical balance between nature and man.

We have since realized a major problem that has an easy solution. Waste management is an issue not discussed often and it's this lack of discussion that perpetuates the problem. When it comes to animal excrement, such as cow or chicken manure, there is value placed to the waste produced by these animals - to be used in agriculture. With proper care, which is minimal, this waste becomes something that produces.

Humans have handled their own excrement in very interesting and peculiar ways over time. At one point in time the western world believed dumping their feces and urine out onto their sidewalks would keep the flies out of their kitchens. This was obviously a mistake, and led to much illness. For centuries countries in Asia have collected the excrement produced by humans to be used in agriculture. This practice is still being done and goes by the name of "night soil". The main issue is that the pure and fresh feces is applied directly to the plants and can result in contamination.

What is being realized is that we, being animals, much like the chickens and cows produce manure and with the proper care the use of this material can become beneficial and not be seen as merely waste. Our planet is mostly water, but most of that water is salted. We have developed a system to rid ourselves of a valuable resource while flushing it down drains in water that is suitable for drinking. This water is then sent to be filtered and processed - usually treated with chemicals like chlorine. Not only human waste is placed in sewer systems, but medical waste and street drains add to the mixture. This creates hazardous material that must be removed and typically ends up in a land fill. We poop in our drinking water, mix it with hazardous material, then bury it - some landfills are lined to keep from contaminating the surrounding area, but many are not. So, this brings us to what we can do.

Composting is the allowing of microorganisms to break down organic material. These microorganisms are present in nature and don't need any coercing or purchasing. The only requirement is to have the proper environment to allow for them to flourish. This can be achieved by simply applying the proper balance of dry and wet material to a free standing pile where you can add organic material- fruits, vegetables, meats, coffee grounds, eggshells, dead pets, and even human excrement. Given enough time (a year is sufficient) the material produced is a nutrient rich soil that can be used for growing any sort of plant life. This is where the latrines come in.

Human excrement, when shed of it's taboo, can be a valuable resource to anyone who is concerned with how we can ensure that there will be a livelihood available for our children and our children's children. Latrines in the past have been similar to outhouses, a hole in the ground that eventually fills up, then it is covered over. This pollutes and wastes the manure that can be used. With technological advancement combined with cost-effectiveness composting latrines have been developed.

We are in the process of building two different types of composting latrines. The first is called a "tree bog" where a structure is built a meter above the ground, the area below is fenced in with chicken wire and hay. Urine and feces, along with the toilet paper, are deposited and collected below the structure. After every use a layer of sawdust is applied which soaks up moisture and prevents odor. Plants such as willows, and other plants with large appetites, are planted around the base. The sawdust allows for the composting process to take place, and the plants consume the waste directly with their root systems. This type of latrine requires no water, no pipes, no holes, and the waste never has to be dealt with. The surrounding plants should consume all the material deposited and typically never needs to be emptied.

The second type of composting latrine has a similar platform a meter high where the toilet is placed. Below the platform is two rectangular chambers. The toilet is placed over the first chamber where the fecal waste along with the toilet paper are deposited. The urine is caught in a separate area, there are ergonomic toilets with a partition, down into a tube that is either collected, or placed under the top layer of the surrounding dirt. Urine when diluted is also high in nutrients and can be used in agriculture. Sawdust is placed over each deposit and once the chamber fills it is sealed off and allowed to "rest" for a year to allow the composting process. During this time the second chamber is opened to be filled, essentially by the time the second chamber fills the first will be fully composted and can be removed for use in the garden. After a year the material that is removed doesn't even resemble human feces and is odorless. This type of latrine requires no water, no holes, and no pipes. There is maintenance required, but the resulting product is worth the minimal labor invested.

The purpose for these latrines at Orquideas Moxviquil is not only to function, but also to educate. These will be working demonstrations of alternative forms of waste management that can be useful to those who don't currently have plumbing, have inadequate waste management systems, or to anyone interested in reducing their impact on the planet's resources. We plan to have booklets, pamphlets, and brochures about these latrines to provide more information about them for anyone who is interested in possibly building these for themselves.

Combined with permaculture construction techniques, utilizing what's available, these latrines can be constructed for under $200 US. They are completely sanitary, odorless, don't attract flies, prevent animal life from intruding, and save a lot of water all while not creating waste to be buried and providing food for your plants which can turn back into food for you. Everything in nature runs in cycles and this way the cycle isn't being broken. We plan to bring this information with us home and put it to good use. It doesn't take a lot to make these or to find more information about it. YouTube has "how-to" videos about these and many other great things you can build within the same vein. The information is out there, you just have to look for it, educate yourself.

Remember, "We don't inherit the land from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children" -Native American Proverb

Humanure Handbook- a guide to composting human waste.

Download it free at: http://humanurehandbook.com/contents.html