Case Study: Composting Toilets in Gambia

Why did you decide to install composting toilets instead of traditional systems?

In The Gambia, there are basically just 3 toilet systems available, they are Flushing toilets going to a septic tank which requires periodic emptying (not great because there is an issue as to where the toilet waste is disposed ie. rivers and waterways). Another option is a pit latrine which is a large hole dug into the ground, this can be used with some level of safety if managed correctly however being a big hole most get used for all kinds of rubbish such as batteries etc which kills all good bacteria and creates a genuine health risk, especially during the height of the rainy season where water tables can meet with the contaminated latrine waste. This accounts for around 18% of infant deaths each year because the drinking water supply is contaminated with toilet waste and infants have little or no chance of recovering should they ingest it. And last but not least, the Vietnamese twin chamber dry composting toilet, which not only deals with human waste very effectively but also can create nutrient for your garden.

What type of composting toilets do you use (brand/model or type)?

We use Vietnamese twin chamber composting toilets in each of our accommodations and in our public restrooms, so we have 12 in total. More about the specific brand can be found here.

How do you manage the composting process?

After using the toilet, instead of flushing, you simply add a small cup of sawdust on top of the waste (soft wood sawdust is ideal, as it breaks down more quickly). From there, the system essentially manages itself.

Each bathroom has two chambers. Once one reaches its capacity, it is sealed and left closed for a year to allow the composting process to take place, while the second chamber is put into use for guests.

When it’s time to empty the closed chamber, we find that the waste has transformed into rich, healthy compost. This is then taken to a separate composting area, where it is combined with leaves and kitchen waste such as vegetable peelings and leftover food. It’s left to compost naturally through one rainy season before being used to fertilise our gardens!

What are the key maintenance tasks, and how often are they done?

These toilets are very low maintenance, the main thing guests need to know is that sanitary products or any type of plastic must not be disposed of in them. Toilet paper, leaves, and sawdust are perfectly fine. Once a chamber is full, it’s emptied just once a year, and that’s all it takes to keep the system running smoothly.

How do guests react to the composting toilets?

When guests are shown to their room, we provide a simple explanation: for urine, no sawdust is needed, and for solid waste, just one small cup of sawdust on top — that’s all. It’s truly as straightforward and easy as using a regular flush toilet.

While a few guests may feel sceptical at first, they’re usually completely comfortable by the second day. I’ve never received a single negative comment about the toilets, and since they’re en suite, if there were ever any issues, we’d certainly know right away!

Did you face any challenges during installation or operation, and if so, how did you overcome them?

The biggest challenge in Islamic countries it is that the cultural norm is to use water for personal hygiene instead of toilet paper, this of course can be an issue for a dry composting toilet as it becomes too wet, however for a tourist destination such as Gambia where most tourists arrive from UK or Europe this tends to be less of an issue. In saying that, with a small explanation of why we use this particular kind of system, for example, to prevent contaminating our drinking water it can be easily overcome.

What advice would you give to another lodge thinking about using composting toilets?

I personally wouldn’t choose to go back to a flushing system in The Gambia. Traditional toilets often come with challenges like water shortages (meaning no water to flush), leaks (we’ve all experienced wet bathroom floors in local bars), or frequent blockages — often due to the lack of adequate sewage infrastructure.

While composting systems may not be ideal for larger hotels, they are absolutely perfect for a small lodge like Footsteps. In 25 years, they’ve never had a single issue, I can wholeheartedly recommend them and would encourage other small lodges in similar locations to seriously consider adopting this approach.