TFP Composting Toilet

The TFP composting toilet, a self-contained waterless composting toilet, uses efficient aerobic decomposition to reduce volume and eliminate odors and pathogens in waste before it enters the ground. TFP's core toilet technology, a rotating horizontally-mounted drum, has been the industry standard in the USA since the 1970’s, at an average cost of around $1500. By utilizing inexpensive, locally sourced yet resilient materials, it only costs $200 per-unit. Toilets for People are bringing this technology to the developing world by using low-cost, local materials, appropriate technology and local labor. All on-location toilet construction and training projects are performed by TFP's non-profit foundation. TFP has conducted composting toilet training and installation projects in Haiti, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru and Senegal with our partner NGOs.

Toilets for People founder, Jason Kass, was on an Engineers Without Borders mission to install double-vault latrines in rural El Salvador when early rains washed away the roads and hopes of a materials delivery. Determined to build the promised toilets, he thought of the $1500+ off-the-shelf composting toilet at his Vermont home and attempted to replicate it with local materials. Three days later they had a prototype for TFP composting toilet and the idea for Toilets for People was born.

Publicly available: yes
Countries where available: India, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Haiti, Mexico, Peru, Senegal
Available online: yes
Offered or can be licensed for local manufacture: Yes
Countries where spare parts can be purchased: India, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Haiti, Mexico, Peru, Senegal

Dimensions: 30 inches long, 27 inches high and 18 inches wide (24" wide for squat toilet version).
Weight: Made from Plywood, 100 pounds. Plastic version (in production) 30 pounds.

Documentation, article, or review
tfp-article-in-appropriate-technology-march-2014-volume-41-no.-1-1-.pdf