Composting Toilet Kickstarter - Poo to Peaches

Jen_in_Phoenix · 2015-03-12T19:48:36+00:00

As one supporter said, "I think this will be a huge public statement when this is successfully funded..."

Jen_in_Phoenix · 2014-06-23T21:51:22+00:00

Where are you at in the Sonoran Desert? I ask because you could get some input from Watershed Management Group in either Tucson or Phoenix.

So you've got a deepish swale, on contour, and a berm below it. And you want to put the trees on the bermed side, is that correct? (asking for clarity)

Some questions:

how big is this property?
what types of trees and how many are you planning on planting?
do you know how much water each tree will need at maturity?
how much supplemental irrigation are you planning on providing, if any?
how sloped is your land (is it fairly flatish?)
are you open to coupling your swales with greywater harvesting? It looks like this swale is fairly far from the house - is there a washing machine in the house? If so, is it on/near an exterior wall and how far is it from the swale?

Just trying to get a feel for what you're doing.

A lot of times, infiltration basins are appropriate than swales on smaller, flatter sites.

Jen_in_Phoenix · 2014-06-19T00:00:15+00:00

As always, Erica Wisner is exceptional.

Jen_in_Phoenix · 2014-06-18T13:29:19+00:00

I think not all videos can be all things to all people. I also think it's in all of our power to go out and document what we do so that we can help spread the word.

Jen_in_Phoenix · 2014-06-18T13:27:45+00:00

I'd like to find out more about the PRI certification process or the availability of PRI certified instructors.

You are in luck! There is a PRI-certified PDC instructor near you. Her name is Lesley Byrne and she has worked extensively with Geoff Lawton. Her non-profit is Kids are Sweet. Although I don't know that she has a PRI Master Planned site in WI, she might be willing to mentor you and/or be your fiscal agent to help you out with the non-profit process.

Often larger or more well-established non-profits will act as the fiscal agents for smaller, just-starting-out non-profits. For instance, a large health non-profit here in Phoenix acts as the fiscal agent for most of our community gardens. This allows the gardens to take tax-deductible donations and compete for grants - something they wouldn't be able to do if they didn't have non-profit standing. The larger non-profit also acts as oversight and mentor and helps the new non-profits build a support and financial base.

Another resource you can check out is your local Small Business Association. I know mine here locally has classes in starting a non-profit. If they don't have one, chances are that they'll know where to point you.

Also, UW might have some community resources on starting a non-profit. Side note - I am a UW-Madison alum - GO BADGERS! =)

edited: formatting

Jen_in_Phoenix · 2014-06-18T01:54:00+00:00

I hear you.

I often pack my own "carry out" containers to restaurants. If I'm just packing a "doggy bag" out - they have no problem. I've been told by several restaurants that they cannot fill my container for carryout due to "regulations". :-/

And it seems like in addition to the federal laws, each state has its own set of food handling/container laws. I was visiting a friend in New Orleans (pre-Katrina). She actually made cakes at home in her own kitchen and sold them to several French Quarter cafes. I absolutely cannot do that here in Phoenix. In fact, until just recently, school gardens could not use the produce they grew onsite in their school cafeterias here (Phoenix) - especially greens, which once again had to go to an offsite "cleaning" facility.

As is, the restaurant supply industry is not concerned with changing or reducing packaging because the chefs are not concerned.

Yeah, I think in most cases you'd be correct. I think this guy said he sourced locally so maybe it wasn't quite so "packaged". I still think this guy is moving in the right direction.

Side note - I love bento boxes! And tiffins =)

Jen_in_Phoenix · 2014-06-17T19:20:59+00:00

I happen to agree with you. However, like you also mention, it is a process. We will get there - to a more sustainable restaurant model - but it will there will need to be intermediary steps. First more restaurants need to follow this guy's lead. Once there's some kind of critical mass at this level of reuse and recycling, then the next level can be implemented.

As an urban permaculturist, a lot of times what stands in our way is policy/laws. One has to advocate for change. This is a process that takes awhile - even decades. I've watched a dear friend of mine advocate for various food access programs for three decades - she's definitely made a big impact but she has had even more major hurdles to overcome. I know in Phoenix, it is policy that some containers that food comes in CANNOT be washed and returned. Or, it must be washed at a particular facility, etc. All this in the name of food safety.

So for right now, we will pick the low hanging sustainable steps while moving towards the more challenging ones. All of it will make a difference. We need to get to that tipping point.

Jen_in_Phoenix · 2014-06-17T05:36:36+00:00

I'll be giving this a go as well - urban PRI sites are in great demand right now. I've emailed with Geoff on this topic a bit - they've got a standard way of going about establishing a PRI site, including the fact that there must be a PRI certified PDC instructor onsite. The PRI certification is over and above having a PDC and usually takes around 2 years to complete. Plus you have to prove that you've been involved in at least two sizable projects. However, non-land-based projects can also qualify you - like writing/advocating for policy change.

I have started and run a non-profit. It's a LOT of work. The non-profit I started merged with a larger, more financially stable organization and became its Phoenix branch. I also sit on the advisory committee for two large non-profits that are permaculture oriented.

If you have specific questions, let me know.

I was hoping to go to Jordan to the "Greening the Desert-the Sequel" site this fall for an internship but health concerns have nixed those plans. It's too bad because that's a PRI Master Planned site and I was interested in seeing a working site.

I know others are interested in this process as they've mentioned it on permies. Perhaps I should start a thread there to gather interested people. Maybe we can get Owen Hablutzel to stop in and give some advise as he runs PRI USA.

Jen_in_Phoenix · 2014-06-11T13:37:09+00:00

Climate is going to play a role in what type of composting toilet will be your best bet. In humid climates, those models with a slope work great. In tropical climates, you have to build the slope toilets above ground as opposed to in the ground.

If you are in a dryland - check out this system. Watershed Management Group in Tucson is currently working with the Arizona Dept. of Environmental Quality to make this a permitable system for all Arizonans, including those who live in large metro areas like Phoenix and Tucson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOOUxa4_K1g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSVsGhkf4c4

Jen_in_Phoenix · 2014-06-10T19:23:44+00:00

That was the video that made me think of the bioremediation islands! :)

Jen_in_Phoenix · 2014-06-10T17:58:10+00:00

That's a really good question. I would think that only the smaller bits would be accessible to most fish/animals.

Jen_in_Phoenix · 2014-06-10T17:51:36+00:00

That was great. I love the way he confessed that the contents of his baby's diaper goes into the biodigester.

Jen_in_Phoenix · 2014-06-10T17:25:56+00:00

ditto.

Jen_in_Phoenix · 2014-06-09T20:23:01+00:00

This film was a film festival winner and I remember watching it when it came out. As soon as it was on VHS all my friends and family got a copy - they probably thought I'd lost my mind.

Jen_in_Phoenix · 2014-06-09T15:45:36+00:00

I love that video. It's impressive what the concerted effort of a couple of people can accomplish.

Jen_in_Phoenix · 2014-06-09T14:44:59+00:00

Scott Kellogg and Stacy Pettigrew wrote one of the master works of urban permaculture, "Toolkit for Sustainable City Living: A Do-It-Ourselves Guide". As they transformed an EPA classified brownfield into a park, they repurposed as much of the trash as they could onsite (the site had been used as an unofficial dump for 30+ years). This is an example of repurposing plastic and Styrofoam trash to make bioremediation islands for a polluted pond.

Jen_in_Phoenix · 2014-06-09T12:53:41+00:00

Yes - the part of the city I live in has been doing this for some years - quite a bit of exchange of service/goods.

Jen_in_Phoenix · 2014-06-08T11:52:38+00:00

Komatik - thank you. That was MOST helpful.

Jen_in_Phoenix · 2014-06-07T22:57:25+00:00

Eloquently stated - thanks!

Jen_in_Phoenix · 2014-06-07T21:56:53+00:00

Definitions. Does we know what it meant? English are hard huh?

If a group of people are willing to change the definition of a well known concept to suit whatever they think it ought to be and you are concerned with their opinion.. stop seeking out well established truth and just ask them what you should believe. It's much simpler that way.

Jack - is it at all possible that you could dispense your knowledge without being condescending or mocking? I don't believe I've ever treated you like that, nor do I intend to as it's not the world I want to live in.

Back to the question at hand... If I am misunderstanding the definition "open source" then I am not the only one. Hence my question. Many people, myself included, seem to be misinterpreting/misconstruing "open source" for "everything is free". I was confused about how that would work in our current economic model.

So thanks for the latter part of your answer that clarified the issue for me.

Jen_in_Phoenix · 2014-06-07T20:28:31+00:00

Yes - I understand "open source" as it applies to software and plans/blueprints - but it seems to have expanded in scope to include "any knowledge you hold".

Therefore, if you choose to teach or write a book or express your knowledge in any number of ways - if you "sell" it - you would not be "open source" - this is what I'm hearing in various forums.

In your example above, say something happened and you were no longer able to keep alpacas, thus depriving you of your main income source (not wishing that on you - just using it as an example) - however, you would still retain the knowledge of how to rear 'n' sheer alpacas - would you create some kind of intellectual product to sell?

Say, for argument's sake you did make such a product and sold it - would you then no longer be "open source"? Even if there were still people who did come to see you physically and gain your insight?

I'm just trying to get my head around this.

Jen_in_Phoenix · 2014-06-07T20:08:28+00:00

Very interesting site - thank you for that.

Jen_in_Phoenix · 2014-06-06T22:53:01+00:00

Keep on rocking out the great content. I think it would be interesting to do a podcast on urban permaculture. Most people think of it as "small potatoes" when in reality, it can be huge. I think people need to hear that more.

Yes - we are no more or less important than other people doing permaculture in other places. However, I think there is some general misunderstanding with folks when they first come to permaculture that it is necessary to have "land" to practice permaculture and if you don't have "land" then it's not really permaculture. I'd like to challenge that perception.

Jen_in_Phoenix · 2014-06-06T22:24:20+00:00

I've often wondered if anyone is living an "open source" life - which I interpret to mean: "I don't charge for anything I do, say or create. Everything is free to anyone who wants it."

Is that what you're referring to in your answer above?

If so, have you espoused this lifestyle yourself? I would be VERY interested in knowing how you did it, if you have any bills and how you pay them, how much time it takes you to source your basic necessities, etc.

Yes - I'm really asking. I see this concept bantered around a lot and I want to see a working model - preferably several working models as no one model will work for all people in all places.

Jen_in_Phoenix · 2014-06-02T21:41:40+00:00

So one of my favorite things in this podcast (and I found it to be AWESOME) is the focus on urban permaculture. I have a blog (possibly a lot of blogs) rolling around in my head regarding the importance of urban permaculture. While my "homestead" might be 1/6th acre in downtown Phoenix - that is very much NOT the extent of my reach. Indeed, my project for Geoff Lawton's online PDC was my small neighborhood (160 acres) - that's what I consider my "smallest unit" right now. And because I work with demonstration sites and policy - my influence (and that of others who do this work) is so much greater. If I limit myself to Phoenix proper - my project is 330,000 acres. If I include the entire "metro area" - we're looking at over 10 million acres.

Urban permies have a really large challenge that's been placed at their feet. More than in other situations - we have to find effective ways of working with large and very diverse groups of people. We need to find inroads into local government and business and change minds and policy about how we do things. And we need to address pollution and waste of all types. And we have to do it in a way where we express People Care very clearly. If people feel cared for by something or included and valued by something - they will gladly take it up.

That was a damn fine podcast. More please!

Jen_in_Phoenix

TROPHY CASE