Dry toilet vs. composting toilet – guide & buying advice | Ecosave
Sustainable sanitation solutions for tiny houses, garden sheds, campsites, motorhomes, (sailing) boats, residential buildings, and self-sufficient projects.
Sustainable toilets, as we explain them every day in our showroom.
More and more people in Germany are opting for a dry toilet or composting toilet – whether for a tiny house, a weekend cottage, a motorhome, a garden shed, or for places without a sewer connection.
In our showroom, we hear the same questions every day:
- What is the difference between the two systems?
- Does it really not smell?
- Which toilet is right for me?
On this page, we answer all questions in the same way we explain them to our visitors – personally, honestly, and practically.
What is a dry toilet?
The odorless, waterless solution
A dry toilet works completely without water and without chemicals.
The key advantage: separation of urine and solids. This keeps everything dry, which prevents odors.
How it works:
- Urine is collected separately
- Feces and paper end up in a bucket
- The contents remain dry → no odor formation
- Optionally, a ventilation system provides additional freshness and comfort
Many of our German customers choose a dry toilet for:
- Tiny houses
- Garden sheds
- Campsites & permanent campsites
- Motorhomes & caravans
- (Holiday) homes without a sewer connection
If you choose a model without a ventilation system, we recommend using wood chips or hemp fibers, both of which can be found under toilet accessories.
Maintenance & use
- The waste container (with compostable bag) is emptied every 2-4 weeks
- Urine is drained or collected separately
Draining urine, all options
With a dry toilet with a urine hose, you have three options:
- 1. Connection to an existing drain: For example, a sink or shower drain.
- 2. Drain into the ground: A hole filled with gravel measuring 50 × 50 × 50 cm ensures safe drainage.
- 3. Separate urine tank: An external tank that stands next to the toilet or under the floor and is emptied regularly.
Good to know:
Urine is sterile and can be used (diluted) as fertilizer in the garden.
None of these options work for you?
Then simply choose a model with an integrated urine tank.
Water conservation made easy
With a dry toilet, you save 6-9 liters per flush, an average of 45 liters per day.
That corresponds to about 15,000 liters of drinking water per person per year.
What is a composting toilet?
The natural solution for self-sufficient living
A composting toilet works in the same way without water, but without separating the urine.
Everything ends up in a large container, so the biological process begins immediately.
Perfect for anyone who:
- lives off-grid
- does not have a drain
- wants to compost as naturally as possible
We recommend hemp fibers or wood chips because they:
- Bind moisture
- Prevent odors
- Make the appearance more pleasant (a small but important comfort aspect)
Many composting toilets can also be equipped with ventilation—ideal for multiple users.
Note
When installed correctly, the toilet is virtually odorless. If you notice anything unusual, please contact us – we are always here to help.
Need more capacity?
Discover our eco-toilet houses
Our wooden toilet houses are particularly popular with campsites, public institutions, forest kindergartens, tiny house owners, and swimming pool owners.
- Robust wooden construction
- Space for any Ecosave toilet
- Models with 200-liter waste tank available
- Very long service life without emptying
- Ideal for intensive use or multiple users
Our advantages:
Why Ecosave?
In our showroom, we often hear: “You explain it so clearly and passionately – that helped me right away.”
That’s exactly what we want to convey here:
European quality & sustainable materials
We use high-quality (recycled) plastics, wood, and stainless steel parts.
Odorless systems thanks to separation & ventilation
For maximum comfort.
No chemicals, no water, 100% sustainable
Good for the environment, the soil, and the groundwater.
Spare parts & accessories always available
Even years after purchase.
Personal advice – simply by email or a quick phone call.
We explain everything in an understandable way that is relevant to everyday life.
Do you have any questions?
Can’t find a specific product (e.g., larger tanks or special solutions)?
Write to us—we’re happy to help.
Need a larger holding tank?
Discover our Toilet Houses
Our Eco cabins are wooden toilet houses that can be installed anywhere. You can install any Ecosave toilet inside: from a simple kit to our luxurious Comfort Mo.
We even have a model with a 200-liter holding tank, which allows you to go considerably longer without emptying – ideal for campsites, tiny houses, public locations,
or multiple users.