It started like most farm stories do: with a beautiful piece of land, a hard-working steward, and a lot of human waste.
Tucked deep in the Vermont woods, this property functions as both a working farm and a HipCamp glamping site. It’s the kind of place where people come to disconnect — no WiFi, no running water, and, until recently, a DIY composting toilet tucked inside a weathered old outhouse.
That outhouse? It was functional, sure — but it was also funky.
Not funky like cool jazz. Funky like flies, odors, and a murky mix of pee, poo, and sawdust.
The Composting Conundrum
If you’ve ever used a traditional composting toilet, you know the drill.
Every guest drops a little something, tosses in some carbon, maybe gives it a stir, and hopes for the best.
But in real life? That system breaks down fast.
The farmer told us about overflowing bins, off-putting smells, guests confused about what to do, and the constant stress of What if someone doesn’t follow the instructions?
“After a full day of farm work, the last thing I want to deal with is a five-gallon bucket of poop and woodchips.”
They didn’t want to go back to chemical toilets or a deep pit. But the old setup just wasn’t cutting it — for them or their guests.
The Retrofit That Changed Everything
That’s when Wasted* stepped in.
We brought our Wasted* Conveyor Toilet — a waterless system designed for rugged installs and real-world users. Instead of mixing everything together, the conveyor separates liquids and solids at the source.
Here’s what we did:
- Removed the old composting box and cleaned out the chamber
- Installed the conveyor system inside the existing outhouse footprint
- Connected the urine diverter to a collection tank
- Hooked the site into our Ongrid Waste Monitoring service, so we could take it from there
By the end of the day, this humble little outhouse had become one of the most sustainable toilets in Vermont.
A Circular System That Actually Works
Now, when a guest uses the loo, they don’t have to change their behavior. In addition, they’re part of something bigger.
The urine is diverted, stored, and picked up by our team, then upcycled into WeeBloom — a regenerative fertilizer made from human waste.
The solids are conveyed into a sealed bin, ready for easy, odor-free handling.
The host doesn’t have to explain sawdust ratios or empty buckets anymore.
Their outhouse smells clean, looks inviting, and works — even during high-season guest turnover.
And most importantly? It closes the loop.
Waste becomes resource. Guests become participants. The system works in service of the land — not against it.
Watch the Full Build
Want to see it in action?
We filmed the entire process — from teardown to conveyor install to the final product — in Episode 1 of Epic Outhouses.
You’ll hear the full story, see the transformation, and maybe even rethink what a toilet can be.
Thinking About Retrofitting Your Outhouse?
Whether you’re a farmer, a campground host, or just tired of the smell wafting from your composting box, you’re not alone. We’ve helped dozens of off-grid landowners upgrade their sanitation game without sacrificing simplicity or sustainability.
Ready to install something that actually works?
Learn more at wasted.earth/offgrid
