Our client needed a low-impact, off-grid toilet for his woodland in the UK — something that blends into the trees, works without mains, and is easy to service. We designed and built this timber compost toilet with a wheelie-bin solids system and a urine diverter, so everything stays clean, dry and low-odour.
The brief
- Off-grid solution for a private woodland (UK)
- Robust, weatherproof and easy to maintain
- Natural materials that sit comfortably in the landscape
- Odour control without electrics
What we built
- Timber frame + feather-edge cladding, curved roof and galvanised hardware; finished in natural oils.
- Wide entry steps and solid door; compact footprint for woodland clearings.
- Urine-diverting (UD) pedestal piped to a soakaway/approved container to keep the cubicle dry.
- Wheelie-bin solids system: a standard outdoor bin sits inside the base on smooth runners; swap it in seconds via a ground-level service door (front/side/rear to suit site).
- Passive ventilation (vent stack + high/low vents) and insect mesh for fresh, quiet operation.
Why a wheelie-bin?
- Simple servicing – roll out, cap, and swap.
- Clean & contained – solids remain sealed during transport.
- Scalable – run twin bins for rotation on busier sites.
- Standard parts – uses readily available 120–240 L bins.
How it works
- The UD pedestal separates liquids to the soakaway, keeping the chamber dry.
- Solids drop into a lined wheelie bin (we recommend compostable liners).
- Add a handful of carbon (sawdust/wood shavings) after each use.
- When full, roll the bin out and replace with an empty one. The full bin is stored to compost off-line until safe to handle/empty in line with UK guidance.
FAQs
What size bin is used?
We typically fit a 240 L bin (most capacity). For tight sites we can spec 120/140 L.
Smells and flies?
Kept in check by the urine diverter, dry carbon cover material and the passive vent stack with insect mesh.
How often will I swap bins?
Depends on use. Light weekend use may be months; busy camps and groups should plan a twin-bin rotation.
Can I use my council bin?
Use a dedicated bin (not for collection). We can supply new bins and labelling.
Planning permission?
Site-specific — many rural builds proceed under permitted development, but always check with your local authority.
Custom options?
Yes: service-door position, handrails/ramp, interior shelves, darker stain, carved signage. We also supply urine diverters and spares.
If you're planning an off-grid toilet in the UK for a woodland, allotment, cabin or churchyard, we can help with siting, ventilation and a wheelie-bin compost system that's easy to live with.
You can find our Twin Composting Toilet in our shop.
