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Returning portable dry toilet matter to the soil Volume 19, supplement 1, April 2020

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Author
Réseau de l’assainissement écologique
Route de Saint-Mons
32400 Riscle
France
* Tirés à part

Although portable dry toilets have become widespread in France over the past 20 years, there is no clear administrative framework for managing the materials they generate. This study analyzes the possible health impacts of urine and feces management in order to propose regulatory changes. It inventories practices, representations of the health risk and the regulations in effect. We targeted 7 events and characterized 4 different types of practice. These 4 channels (urine, urine with litter, feces with bulking material in an individual platform, feces with bulking material in a collective platform) are the most representative of the “collection, transport, treatment and recovery” of urine and feces that do not enter the ordinary sewage system. The assessment of the health risks associated with each link in these sectors shows that no special measures need to be taken for dry toilet matter under the general hygiene guidelines and rules for the “wastewater/excreta” sectors. However, we suggest that better administrative recognition of this issue is needed, the standards governing collective composting platforms require them to accept this matter, and that individual platform operator should obtain an officially recognized diploma.