AS THE KIDS’ BOOK REMINDS US, everyone poops. But not everyone poops in a bucket in a van. And some people who want to poop in a bucket in a van just can’t. Maybe they have physical limitations that prevent them from squatting on a bucket or un-squatting afterward. Maybe they’re grossed out by pooping in something other than a flush toilet. Maybe they’re the type who can only poop under certain conditions. Maybe they worry about making a mess with their mess.
Well, this is something folks should figure out before committing to living in a vehicle that doesn’t have a toilet. Because it could be a deal breaker. Get a bucket and some bags and try it out before driving away from the world of indoor plumbing.
Your first experience will probably fit somewhere on a scale with Impossible at one end and No Problem at the other. For me it was This Is Weird and Will Take Some Getting Used To. After a few days it was totally normal. Hurray for human adaptability.
But bucket pooping isn’t the only thing to try out ahead of time. For example, will you actually be comfortable with your planned bed? Will you be able to cope with not having hot water from a tap? Out in the boonies, with all your “normal life” bridges burned behind you, is not the place to find out.
I’ve been pooping in a bucket for 13 years. I do live in a house but it doesn’t have a bathroom. I use pine pellets to cover the poo and it doesn’t smell. I pee in a separate bucket or straight outside. When my bucket is full I dump it in a compost pile. No problems at all!
Laura I throw a handful of Kittie
liter on top and throw the bag away every few days. My poop don’t stink.
As usual more really excellent advice. Thank you for your efforts.
Testing your planned method of meal prep is a good idea, too.
As we discuss in our introduction:
a)
We eliminate liquid waste into a laundry detergent jug with the spout (aka ‘the puck’…) knocked out.
With the puck knocked out of it, the opening is a couple-three inches wide.
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We collect spare jugs anytime we visit a laundromat.
Pro Tip:
* A wider base is better for stability.
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b)
We eliminate solid waste by squatting over a newspaper.
This is particularly satisfying during election season.
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The paper and paperwork is lightly wrapped, then goes into a plastic produce bag from the grocery.
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We experimented with paper bags, but the results were discouraging…
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https://vanlivingforum.com/threads/expeditionvehicle-build.44908/#post-576110
Set my bucket up 2 weeks ago. I didn’t like the Pintrest pool noodle seat that you often see. I got seat off Amazon that fits my bucket and rigged a funnel into a gatorade bottle to keep the pee separate from the poo. Speaking of that – double bag lined the bucket, currently using kitty litter on the poo side but I’m thinking that I’ll try coconut coir when the litter runs out.
Works great!!
Dump the pee wherever and bag the poop off to the dumpster with the trash run now and then. I’m a happy camper!