Let’s get activated, hell, let’s get hot! Some common misconceptions when entering the world of Humanure, all stem from the basis that your compost is not activated. So, what is activated (or hot) composting? Activated composting is when you actively take measures to ensure you’re controlling every aspect of the decomposition process. Effectively you’re controlling the big three: temperature, moisture, and oxygen levels, in order to expedite your chambers composting.
Some of the misconceptions with composting we see is that people can get deterred from this method of waste management as they believe their waste is just sitting there and it can be a bit of a gross thought… Many prospective customers are surprised when they realise this isn’t the case. Not only is a fan extracting odors 24/7 and aerating the system, but the compost itself will be working to breakdown while in use, this my friend, is the activation!
Now this isn’t true for all composting systems; many composting toilets simply hold waste. The Nature Loo Alectura Premium systems however, activate the composting process, helping beneficial organisms break down waste more efficiently. Activated Composting is not just storage. It’s a controlled biological process designed to accelerate decomposition, reduce maintenance and produce a healthier composting environment.
So how do Nature Loo Alectura systems do this, when many other systems fail short? One of the key features of Ecoflo’s Nature Loo Alectura Premium is it’s built in mixing blades. These blades – when manually turned regularly – help to aerate the compost waste inside your in-service chamber. The turning of these blades introduces oxygen, which is vital for your microbes, prevents your chamber from getting too compact, and also distributes moisture evenly through your lovely compost cake. These measures create the ideal living environment for your microbes to absolutely thrive, ensuring they have enough oxygen to do so.
But the benefits of these chambers doesn’t stop there…
The injection-moulded chamber design creates smooth internal surfaces that allow composting material to settle and move more naturally as the mixing blades are turned regularly.
This helps reduce compacted areas where airflow can be restricted and ensures the compost pile maintains an even structure. The internal floor and wall of the Alectura is also equipped with inbuilt breathing holes, in order to aid with oxygen supply. When combined with the aeration provided by the mixing blades, the result is an environment microbes can thrive in.
What does this mean for the user? Faster decomposition, reduced volume, fewer odours and a healthier composting process overall. Instead of viewing your composting chamber as a holding tank, think of it as a living ecosystem. Every time the chamber is mixed, every time air is drawn through the system and every time new organic matter enters the compost pile, those microbes are hard at work transforming waste into a valuable resource. That’s activated composting. Not storing. Not waiting. Actively composting, every single day.
Look after you’re compost ecosystem, as you would any other living organism. Feed it daily – this is the easy part, who doesn’t love going to the loo? Get into a regular habit of system maintenance: turn your chambers mixing blades (we created them for a reason) and nurture your microbes by controlling their environment.