AU2020100970A4

AU2020100970A4 - Compost toilet

Info

Publication number: AU2020100970A4
Application number: AU2020100970A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Peter Vollert
Original assignee: Ecoflo Wastewater Man Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Ecoflo Wastewater Management Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2020-06-09
Filing date: 2020-06-09
Publication date: 2020-07-16
Anticipated expiration: 2028-06-09

Abstract

The preferred embodiment of the present invention is a container for collecting and composting waste, including a body portion for collecting and composting the waste, said body portion has an inner side wall spaced apart from an outer side wall and an inner base wall spaced apart from an outer base wall, the inner side wall and the inner base wall form an inner chamber where waste is collected and decomposed by microbiological digestion to form compost, wherein there is at least one opening in the inner side wall to passage air through and out of the inner chamber. 1/5 10 201 20 19 21 19 20 15 26 12 22 18 13 -- 1 14 23 27 29 245 Figure 1 31 21 31 13 12 22 15 17 16 24 14 Figure 2

Description

1/5 10

201 20 19 21 19 20

15 26 12

22 18

13 -- 1

14 23

27 29

Figure 1 31 21

245 31

13

12 22 15

17 16

24 14

Figure 2

COMPOST TOILET FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to apparatus for composting human waste. The present invention has particular but not exclusive application for a compost toilet for collecting and composting human waste.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In rural or remote areas, compost toilets are used to collect human waste including urine and faeces. The compost toilet collects the human waste and allows it to be degraded by microbiological aerobic digestion.

[0003] The decomposed human waste or compost obtained from aerobic digestion is rich in nutrients and can be used to fertilize garden beds, plants and trees. Effective aerobic digestion depends on several different factors including the moisture levels within the waste, oxygen saturation levels within the waste, and air circulation around the waste.

[0004] Compost toilet typically includes a container that sits below the toilet pedestal to collect the waste and enable aerobic digestion. When the container is full, the full container is swapped with a new container. The full container is set aside and the waste is allowed to incubate until the aerobic digestion forms compost from the human waste.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative means for composting human waste which overcomes or ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages or problem described in this specification, or which at least provides a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The inventors recognized that current compost toilets require an extended period of time for the solid waste in the container to be completely decomposed and form compost. The inventors experimented and trialled different containers in different configurations to increase the air flow in the container to decrease the length of time required to decompose the human waste. The inventors also experimented and trialled different mixing arrangements to accelerate the decomposition of human waste. The inventors determined that a double walled container to increase the air flow and to circulate around the waste and passage through the container was an effective way of reducing the incubation time to form compost.

[0007] In one aspect the present invention broadly resides in a container for collecting and composting waste, including:

a body portion for collecting and composting the waste, said body portion has an inner side wall spaced apart from an outer side wall and an inner base wall spaced apart from an outer base wall, the inner side wall and the inner base wall form an inner chamber where waste is collected and decomposed by microbiological digestion to form compost,

wherein there is at least one opening in the inner side wall to passage air through and out of the inner chamber.

[0008] The inner side wall and the inner base wall preferably have a plurality of openings. Preferably, the inner side wall has one or more openings to passage air through and out of the inner chamber. Preferably, the inner base wall has one or more openings to allow drainage of fluid from the waste collected in the inner chamber.

[0009] The outer side wall and the outer base wall preferably form an outer chamber with the inner side wall and inner base wall, respectively. The outer chamber preferably allows air to pass therethrough and fluid to pass from the inner chamber.

[0010] The outer side wall preferably has one or more openings where the air or fluid is discharged.

[0011] Preferably there is a lip about the periphery of an opening in the upper portion of the container.

[0012] Preferably, there is a lid that can be positioned on the lip of the container enclosing the inner chamber. The lid preferably is attachable to the container.

[0013] Preferably, the container is reusable. Preferably, the container is constructed from material that is easy to wash and dry for reuse.

[0014] Preferably, the container is made of plastic materials. More preferably, the container is made from stabilised low-density polyethylene materials.

[0015] Preferably, the container further includes a mixing means to mix the waste. Preferably, the mixing means includes a mixing blade or paddle that fits within the inner chamber. Preferably, the mixing blade or paddle rotates about a central vertical axis.

[0016] In a first preferred embodiment, the mixing blade or paddle is attachable to the lid. When the mixing blade or paddle is attached to the lid, the waste in the inner chamber is mixed by the mixing blade or paddle when the lid is rotated about a central vertical axis.

[0017] In a second preferred embodiment, the body portion has an actuating means to rotate the mixing blade or paddle. The actuating means includes an annular member that is locatable on the lip of the container and an engagement member to facilitate the rotation of the annular member. For this embodiment, the mixing blade or paddle is attached to the annular member and the engagement member is actuated by a handle member that extends from an upper portion of the outer side wall. The annular member preferably has teeth on a surface that engages with the engagement member. The engagement member is preferably in the form of a geared wheel with teeth on an outer surface of the wheel. When the handle member is rotated about a horizontal axis, the engagement member rotates the annular member. When the annular member rotates about a central vertical axis, the mixing blade or paddle mixes the waste in the inner chamber. The handle member can be rotated manually by hand or by any other method. One method to rotate the handle is by using a crank. The crank can include an arm portion and a hook portion that is attachable to the handle member. When the hook portion is attached to the handle member, the crank rotates the handle member.

[0018] Preferably, the body portion includes a closure member to secure the lid.

[0019] Preferably, the body portion has at least one roller wheel attached to a base portion of the body portion. Preferably, the body portion has one or more swivel-mounted wheels to provide manoeuvrability.

[0020] The container preferably has a capacity of 65 to 130 litres.

[0021] One or more preferred embodiments include a heating pad in or operably associated with the inner base wall.

[0022] The container can be used with a toilet pedestal where the waste passes through the toilet pedestal, the connecting chute and into the inner chamber of the container.

[0023] In a further aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a compost toilet assembly including

at least one container as herein described;

a toilet pedestal; and

a chute that connects the toilet pedestal and the container.

[0024] The toilet pedestal preferably includes a seat.

[0025] Preferably, the compost toilet assembly further includes a lid that is movably attachable to the chute. The lid can preferably move up and down the chute, uncovering and covering the inner and outer chamber of the container, respectively.

[0026] In one embodiment, the mixing blade or paddle is attachable to the lid and the lid is movably attached to the chute. When the mixing blade or paddle is attached to lid and the lid is movably attached to the chute, the waste in the inner chamber is mixed by the mixing blade or paddle when the lid that is movably attached to the chute is rotated about the chute.

[0027] Preferably, the chute can be any suitable length depending on the distance between the toilet pedestal and the container. In one form the chute is 550mm long and can be cut to size or additional lengths added to extend to the desired size.

[0028] The compost toilet assembly optionally includes an exhaust fan and one or more operatively associated conduits to extract air through the toilet pedestal, the chute and the container to direct the air flow from the inner chamber to the outside.

[0029] The compost toilet assembly optionally includes one or more conduits extended from the container to discharge fluid from the container.

[0030] In another aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a compost toilet system including

a compost toilet assembly as herein described and

at least one extraction means to extract air through the compost toilet assembly.

[0031] The extraction means preferably includes one or more conduits extended from the one or more openings of the outer side walls to allow air to pass through the outer chamber, through the conduit and be discharged.

[0032] The extraction means preferably includes an extraction fan to assist with extracting air from the inner chamber, the outer chamber, and be discharged outside.

[0033] The compost toilet system preferably further includes at least one fluid discharge means to discharge fluid from the waste collected in the inner chamber.

[0034] The fluid discharge means preferably includes one or more conduits extended from the outer chamber to outside the outer side wall, to allow fluid to pass through the outer chamber, through the outer side wall and be discharged.

[0035] In another aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a kit for composting waste including

a compost toilet assembly as herein described and

one or more conduits as herein described.

[0036] The kit preferably further includes at least one extraction fan.

[0037] In another aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a method for composting waste including the use of a container, a compost toilet assembly or a compost toilet system as herein described, said method including:

adding the waste into the inner chamber of the container; adding bulking agent into the inner chamber of the container; and mixing the waste and bulking agent using the mixing blade or paddle.

[0038] Preferably, the step of mixing the waste and bulking agent is periodically mixing of the waste.

[0039] The bulking agent preferably is selected from wood chips, hemp mulch, sugar cane mulch and shredded dry leaves.

[0040] The method preferably further includes a step of creating a continuous air flow with the extracting fan.

[0041] The method preferably further includes a step of removing excess fluid from the waste that is collected in the outer chamber.

[0042] The method preferably further includes a step of replacing a container that is full with waste in the inner chamber with another container where the inner chamber is empty.

[0043] The features described with respect to one aspect also apply where applicable to all other aspects of the invention. Furthermore, different combinations of described features are herein described and claimed even when not expressly stated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] In order that the present invention can be more readily understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a collecting and composting container of a first preferred embodiment;

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the inner chamber and the outer chamber as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of a compost toilet system including the collecting and composting container of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a collecting and composting container of a second preferred embodiment;

Figure 5 is a three-dimensional diagrammatic view of the collecting and composting container of Figure 4, where the outer side wall and the inner side wall are transparent;

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of a compost toilet system including the collecting and composting container of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a front view of the collecting and composting container as shown in Figure 6 with a chute and a movable lid with a central opening; and

Figure 8 is a front view of the collecting and composting container as shown in Figure 6 with a complete lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0045] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a cross-sectional view of a collecting and composting container 10 according to a first preferred embodiment. The collecting and composting container 10 includes a body portion 11 and a lid 21. The body portion 11 includes an inner side wall 12, an inner base wall 14, an outer side wall 22 and an outer base wall 24. The inner side wall 12 and the inner base wall 14 together form an inner chamber 13. The outer side wall 22 and outer base wall 24 together form an outer chamber 23 that enclose the inner chamber 13.

[0046] The inner side wall 12 and inner base wall 14 have a plurality of openings 15. The opening 15 has a diameter that is large enough to allow air 16 and/or fluid 17 in the inner chamber 13 to pass through from the inner chamber 13 to the outer chamber 23, and small enough to prevent any waste or solid particulate to pass through from the inner chamber 13 to the outer chamber 23.

[0047] With references to Figure 1, the outer side wall 22 further includes outlets 26 and 27. Outlet 26 allows air 16 to pass through from the outer chamber 23 to the outside of the collecting and composting container 10. Outlet 27 allows the fluid 17 in the outer chamber 23 to pass through from the outer chamber 23 to the outside of the collecting and composting container 10. Outlets 26 and 27 can be further connected to an air conduit and water pipe system (not shown in the figure), respectively, for discharging air and fluid from the outer chamber 23. There is a wheel 29 fitted at the base portion of outer wall 22. The wheel 29 is mounted to provide mobility and manoeuvrability of the collecting and composting container 10. This is particularly useful when the collecting and composting container 10 must be positioned in a tight spot.

[0048] The inner chamber 13 further includes a mixing blade 18 for mixing the compost. Mixing blade 18 includes two arms 19 that extended and fit into grooves in lid 21. When lid 21 is rotated about a central vertical axis, the arms 19 that is locked in the grooves 20 will rotate together with the lid and causes the mixing blade 18 to rotate about a central vertical axis in the same direction as the lid.

[0049] With reference to Figure 2, lid 21 further includes loops 31 located at the rim of lid 21. Loop 31 can be used to help move the lid 21 to rotate about the central vertical axis by pulling or tugging at loop 31.

[0050] With reference to Figure 3, there is shown a compost toilet system 100 that includes two collecting and composting containers according to Figures 1 and 2. The compost toilet system 100 includes a toilet pedestal 42, a chute 44 and a collecting and composting container 140. The collecting and composting container 140 is substantially the same as the collecting and composting container 10 in Figures 1 and 2 but is fitted with lid 41. Lid 41 is movably attachable to chute 44 and can move up and down as well as rotate around chute 44. Lid 41 can move down the chute 44 to cover the collecting and composting container 140 and move up the chute 44 to uncover the collecting and composting container 140. The chute 44 acts as a passageway that connects the toilet pedestal 42 and inner chamber 143 of the collecting and composting container 140. Human waste can pass through the toilet pedestal 42, the chute 44 and enter the inner chamber 143 of the collecting and composting container 140.

[0051] The collecting and composting container 140 also includes openings 145. Openings 145 are substantially the same as openings 15 of Figure 1.

[0052] The collecting and composting container 140 further includes outlets 156 and 157. Outlets 156 and 157 are substantially the same as outlets 26 and 27, respectively, of Figure 1.

[0053] Outlet 156 is connected to a fan 46 via a pipe 45 and connector 49. Outlet 156 is connected to pipe 45 via a cam-lock coupler. The fan 46 draws air through the inner chamber 143, the openings 145, the outer chamber 153, and the outlet 156 into the pipe 45. Air can then be discharged to the outside via pipes 47.

[0054] Similarly, outlet 157 is connected to a pipe 45 via a cam-lock coupler. Fluid can be extracted from the inner chamber 143 to the outer chamber 153 through openings 145. The fluid is then discharged from the outer chamber 153 through outlet 157 and into the ground via pipe 45 and connector 49.

[0055] The compost toilet system 100 is also connected to another collecting and composting container 110. Collecting and composting container 110 is substantially the same as collecting and composting container 140, except that the collecting and composting container 110 is fitted with a closed lid 121. Collecting and composting container 110 contains human waste from a previous collection and has reached its full capacity. Collecting and composting container 110 also includes outlets 126 and 127 that connects to pipe 45 in order to allow air and fluid to be discharged from the outer chamber 123 to pipe 47 or in the ground, respectively. Outlets 126 and 127 are substantially the same as outlets 26 and 27, respectively, of Figure 1. The collecting and composting container 110 allows further incubation of the waste in the collecting and composting container 110 until the compost are ready for use.

[0056] In use, human waste is passed into the inner chamber 143 of collecting and composting container 140 through the toilet pedestal 42 and through the chute 44. Bulking agent including wood chips, hemp mulch, sugar cane mulch, sawdust and/or shredded dry leaves are also passed into the inner chamber 143 of the collecting and composting container 140 through the toilet pedestal 42 and chute 44. The waste and the bulking agent are then mixed by mixing blade 148 within the inner chamber 143 and is connected to lid 41. Mixing blade 148 is rotated by turning the lid 41 around the chute 44. The fan 46 is connected to outlet 156 by pipe 45 and helped to increase the air flow through and out of the inner chamber 143 and through and out of the outer chamber 153. The mixing of the waste and bulking agent in inner chamber 143 and the presence of the opening 145 also helps to increase the air flow through and out of the inner chamber 143. Excess fluid from the waste in the inner chamber 143 is discharged and passes through opening 145 into outer chamber 153. The excess fluid can then be discharged from the outer chamber 153 and into the ground through opening 157 and pipe 45.

[0057] Addition of the waste and bulking agent into the inner chamber 143 and the mixing of the waste and bulking agent by the mixing blade 148 can be repeated.

[0058] When the inner chamber 143 of the collecting and composting container 140 is full, lid 41 will move up the chute 44 to uncover container 140. The full collecting and composting container 140 will be disconnected from the chute 44 and moved outside and became container 110 and covered with lid 121. A new collecting and composting container 140 will be connected to the chute 44 and lid 41 will move down the chute 44 to cover the new collecting and composting container 140.

[0059] The collected waste is incubated in the collecting and composting container 110 until the aerobic digestion forms compost from the waste. The fan 46 is connected to outlet 126 by pipe 45 and will help to increase the air flow through and out of the inner chamber 113, through openings 115 and through and out of the outer chamber 123. The waste and the bulking agent can be mixed in the composting and collecting container 110 by mixing blade 118 within the inner chamber 113 and is connected to lid 121. Mixing blade 148 is rotated by turning the lid 41. Excess fluid from the waste in the inner chamber 113 is discharged and passed through opening 115 into outer chamber 123. The excess fluid can then be discharged from the outer chamber 123 and in the ground.

[0060] With reference to Figures 4 and 5, there is shown the collecting and composting container 60 according to a second preferred embodiment. The collecting and composting container 60 includes a body portion 61 and a lid 71. The body portion 61 includes an inner side wall 62, an inner base wall 64, an outer side wall 72 and an outer base wall 74. The inner side wall 62 and the inner base wall 64 together form an inner chamber 63. The outer side wall 72 and outer base wall 74 together form an outer chamber 73 that enclosed inner chamber 63.

[0061] The inner side wall 62 and inner base wall 64 have a plurality of openings 65. The opening 65 has a diameter that is large enough to allow air and/or fluid in the inner chamber 63 to pass through from the inner chamber 63 to the outer chamber 73, and small enough to prevent any waste or solid particulate to pass through from the inner chamber 63 to the outer chamber 73.

[0062] The inner chamber further includes a mixing blade 68 for mixing the compost. Mixing blade 68 is connected to an annular member 69 that is located on the lip of body portion 61. Moving the annular member 69 to rotate about a central vertical axis will cause the mixing blade 68 to rotate about a central vertical axis.

[0063] With reference to Figure 5, the outer side wall 72 further includes an engagement member 67 and a handle member 78 that is connected at the upper section of the outer side wall 72. The engagement member 67 can facilitate the rotation of annular member 69. The engagement member 67 and annular member 69 are connected in a ring and pinion type configuration such that when the engagement member 67 is rotated about a central horizontal axis, the annular member 69 will rotate about a central vertical axis correspondingly.

[0064] A crank 91 can be used to rotate the handle member 78. Crank 91 includes an arm portion 97 and a hook portion 98 that is attachable to the handle member 78. Crank 91 can facilitate the rotation of the handle member 78. This is particularly useful when the collecting and composting container 60 is positioned in a placement where the handle member 78 is difficult to reach by hand. When the hook portion 98 is attached to the handle member 78, the crank 91 can be rotated to rotate the handle member 78 and cause the engagement member 67, the annular member 69, and the mixing blade 68 to rotate.

[0065] The outer side wall 72 further includes outlets 76 and 77. Outlet 76 allows air to pass through from the outer chamber 73 to the outside. Outlet 77 allows fluid in the outer chamber 73 to pass through from the outer chamber 73 to the outside. Outlets 76 and 77 can be further connected to an air conduit and water pipe system (not shown in the figure), respectively, for discharging air and fluid in the outer chamber 73. There is a wheel 79 fitted at the base portion of outer wall 72. The wheel 79, which is substantially the same as the wheel 29 as shown in Figure 1, is mounted to provide mobility and manoeuvrability to the collecting and composting container 60.

[0066] With reference to Figure 6, there is shown a compost toilet system 200 that includes a collecting and composting container according to Figures 4 and 5. The compost toilet system includes a toilet pedestal 82, a chute 84 and a collecting and composting container 280. The collecting and composting container 280 is substantially the same as the collecting and composting container 60 but is fitted with lid 81. Lid 81 is movably connected to chute 84 and can move up and down as well as rotate around chute 84. When lid 81 is fitted over the top of the collecting and composting container 280, the chute 84 acts as a passageway that connects the toilet pedestal 82 and the inner chamber 263 of the collecting and composting container 280. Human waste can pass through the toilet pedestal 82, the chute 84 and enter the inner chamber 263 of the collecting and composting container 280.

[0067] The collecting and composting container 280 also includes openings 265. Openings 265 are substantially the same as openings 65 of Figure 4.

[0068] The collecting and composting container 280 further includes outlets 276 and 277. Outlets 276 and 277 are substantially the same as outlets 76 and 77, respectively, of Figure 5.

[0069] Outlet 276 is connected to a fan 86 via a pipe 85 and connector 89. Outlet 276 is connected to pipe 85 via a cam-lock coupler. The fan 86 draws air from the inner chamber 263 to the outer chamber 273 though openings 265, and from the outer chamber 273 to the pipe 85 through the outlet 276. Air can then be released to the outside via pipes 87.

[0070] Similarly, outlet 277 is connected to a pipe 85 via a cam-lock coupler. Fluid can be extracted from the inner chamber 263 to the outer chamber 273 through openings 265. The fluid is then discharged from the outer chamber 273 through outlet 277 and into the ground via pipe 85 and connector 89.

[0071] The compost toilet system 200 may further includes an additional collecting and composting container (not shown in the figure) that is connected via connectors 89, similar to system 100 from Figure 3. The additional collecting and composting container is fitted with a closed lid and is used to incubate the waste in the container from the previous collection.

[0072] In use, human waste is passed into the inner chamber 263 of collecting and composting container 280 through the toilet pedestal 82 and through the chute 84. Bulking agent including wood chips, hemp mulch, sugar cane mulch, sawdust and/or shredded dry leaves are also passed into the inner chamber 263 of container 280 through the toilet pedestal 82 and chute 84. The waste and the bulking agent are then mixed by mixing blade 268 in the inner camber 263 by activating the handle member, the engagement member and the annular member (the handle member, the engagement member and the annular member were not shown in the Figure) as herein described. The fan 86 is connected to opening 276 by pipe 85 and helped to increase the air flow through and out of the inner chamber 263 and through and out of the outer chamber 273. The mixing of the waste and bulking agent in inner chamber 263 and the presence of the opening 265 also helps to increase the air flow through and out of the inner chamber 263. Excess fluid from the waste in the inner chamber 263 is discharged and passed through opening 265 into outer chamber 273. The excess fluid can then be discharged from the outer chamber 273 and in the ground through opening 277 and pipe 85.

[0073] Addition of the waste and bulking agent into the inner chamber 263 and the mixing of the waste and bulking agent by the mixing blade 268 can be repeated.

[0074] When the inner chamber 263 of the collecting and composting container 280 is full, lid 81 will move up the chute 84 to uncover container 280. The full collecting and composting container 280 will be disconnected from the chute 84 and moved outside and covered with a closed lid. A new collecting and composting container 280 will be connected to the chute 84 and lid 81 will move down the chute 84 to cover the new collecting and composting container 280.

[0075] The collected waste is incubated in the full collecting and composting container 280 that was covered by a closed lid and moved outside until the aerobic digestion forms compost from the waste, similar to the collecting and composting container 110 from Figure 3.

[0076] With reference to Figure 7, there is shown the front view of the collecting and composting container from Figure 6. The collecting and composting container is fitted with lid 81. Lid 81 is also movably attachable to chute 84.

[0077] The outer side wall 72 is shown to include the handle member 78 that is linked to engagement member 67 (not shown in the figure). The outer side wall 72 further includes a handle 70 and a lock 75. The handle 70 allows easier manoeuvring of the container. Lock 75 allows securing lid 81 to the collecting and composting container.

[0078] With reference to Figure 8, there is shown the front view of the collecting and composting container from Figure 7. Rather than fitted with lid 81, the collecting and composting container is fitted with a closed lid 91.

ADVANTAGES

[0079] The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an advantage of increasing the air flow in the container and thereby decrease the length of time required to decompose the human waste in the container. The increase of air flow in the container has an advantage that allows a more thorough composting of the waste and results in compost that is rich in nutrients and is not toxic. In addition, the increase of the air flow has an advantage of minimizing temperature fluctuations in the inner chamber. The preferred embodiment also provides an advantage of reducing the amount of fluid in the compost and prevent creating an undesirable anaerobic environment for the composting process. The preferred embodiment also helps to increase the usable space in the inner chamber to increase the volume of matter to be digested with an increased air flow.

VARIATIONS

[0080] It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

[0081] Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Claims

1. A container for collecting and composting waste, including: a body portion for collecting and composting the waste, said body portion has an inner side wall spaced apart from an outer side wall and an inner base wall spaced apart from an outer base wall, the inner side wall and the inner base wall form an inner chamber where waste is collected and decomposed by microbiological digestion to form compost, wherein there is at least one opening in the inner side wall to passage air through and out of the inner chamber.

2. The container of claim 1, including a lip about the periphery of an opening in the upper portion of the container, a lid that can be positioned on the lip of the container enclosing the inner chamber and is attachable to the container, and a mixing blade or paddle that fits within the inner chamber to mix the waste, wherein the mixing blade or paddle is attachable to the lid, and when the mixing blade or paddle is attached to the lid, the waste in the inner chamber is mixed by the mixing blade or paddle when the lid is rotated about a central vertical axis.

3. The container of claim 1, including a lip about the periphery of an opening in the upper portion of the container, a mixing blade or paddle that fits within the inner chamber to mix the waste, an actuating means to rotate the mixing blade or paddle, the actuating means includes an annular member that is locatable on the lip of the container and an engagement member to facilitate the rotation of the annular member, the annular member has teeth on a surface that engages with the engagement member, and the engagement member is in the form of a geared wheel with teeth on an outer surface of the wheel, wherein the mixing blade or paddle is attached to the annular member and the engagement member is actuated by a handle that extends from an upper portion of the outer side wall, and when the handle is rotated, the engagement member rotates the annular member about a central vertical axis and the mixing blade or paddle mixes the waste in the inner chamber.

4. A compost toilet assembly including at least one container according to any one of claims 1 to 3; a toilet pedestal; and a chute that connects the toilet pedestal and the container.

5. The compost toilet assembly of claim 4, including an extraction means including an extraction fan and one or more conduits to direct air flow from the inner chamber to the outside; and one or more conduits extending from the container to discharge fluid.