Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I have studied toilets after watch blood sweat and t-shirts on Planet Green. seems these eastern countries use a squat toilet instead of the American sit down toiler. After browsing many sites on availability of these in the U.S, Yes, American Standard makes them for U.S markets. I was interested because of several things.
1. You don't use Toilet paper in these!
2. They use very little water
While there is some negatives, One of which is that they are hard for people with arthritus or bad knees to use. Forget the wheelchair bound person. Unless one could put a sit down stand on top of one! Which defeats the whole purpose of easy waste removal. Seems humans are designed to squat to pee and poo.Some doctors say this "natural" waste elimination position has better health impacts on the colon and hemroidial tissues.
You don't put TP in these as they handle poo and pee only. TP can clog them up! In many countries you use a hand sprayer to spray your bottom while cleaning it with the left hand. UGH! Some of these setups use buckets of water instead.
My question. Are these things really greener than the sit down American design? Has anyone actually used one? Would you consider one for an American home?
It's the plumbing that determines whether a sewage system can handle toilet paper or not. In India most common toilets can't handle the paper, but most are sit-down western style. In, say, Taiwan or Japan you will find TP in the stall with the squat trough.
Most westerners have a hard time keeping their balance while squatting. Also, your hamstrings will start burning after a minute or so. Finally, your poop just sits there and stinks until you flush. The water in a toilet bowl does a pretty good job of suppressing the smell, but when you just drop it in a dry trough, you get the full aroma and it's not pleasant. If you really want to go green, you might as well just dig an outdoor latrine or use a slop bucket.
It's the plumbing that determines whether a sewage system can handle toilet paper or not. In India most common toilets can't handle the paper, but most are sit-down western style. In, say, Taiwan or Japan you will find TP in the stall with the squat trough.
Most westerners have a hard time keeping their balance while squatting. Also, your hamstrings will start burning after a minute or so. Finally, your poop just sits there and stinks until you flush. The water in a toilet bowl does a pretty good job of suppressing the smell, but when you just drop it in a dry trough, you get the full aroma and it's not pleasant. If you really want to go green, you might as well just dig an outdoor latrine or use a slop bucket.
Another thread here is talking of using a homemade commode with a 5 Gallon bucket in the composting toliets are expensive thread. I have used my share of privies and latrines in the past. Normally the smell doesn't bother me too badly. I have spent much of my life in very rural and rustic settings.
It is also true that some stalls have TP, as I have seen on the web, you just don't flush it down the squat toilet. Usually there is a trash receptical for that. Just as there is for sanitary napkins and tampons in many U.S public restrooms.
I tried to see how long I could stand squatting, I am woefully out of shape! I believe I need to get some exersize and get toned up. But again... Thats a good idea reguardless. I want to live my life as long as I can and actually enjoy it. Time to tune up my adult trike and hit those bike trails around here.
Most of these toilets are in areas that either cannot tolerate paper, as was posted by several others, or the paper just isn't part of the cultures where these toilets are a regular part of life.. There are web sites that explain the details in detailed pictures. In simple language. you wash your bottom with either a spray hose or in some countries you wet your botem with a ladle of water and wash out your butthole with your left hand!
My apologies to keep beating this horse, but the squat toilets in Taiwan and Japan are perfectly capable (at least in most cities and towns) of handling toilet paper flushed in the usual manner. I have lived there and can attest to this fact. The little trash cans are for sundry wastes not suitable for the toilet (plastics, feminine hygiene products, etc.) Please don't throw soiled TP in them!
Preference for washing methods is regional. It is a fairly good bet that you will not find a hose or ladle north of Vietnam.
In less developed nations, you are correct. For instance, Indians are quite fond of the butt-washer. Some plumbing can handle small amounts of thin TP in India, but in general it's better to look for a trash receptacle. Despite a lot of disgusting messy practice, I still have not mastered the art of the hose or ladle method, so I strongly recommend against it.
Squat toiley advantage - Grandma won't be sitting in there for half an hour browsing readers digest.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
