Page 44 - ALG Issue 3 2023

Northern
Way to go
At the West Jesmond Allotments Association in Newcastle upon Tyne, we have some 150 members and
we run several events each year, attracting hundreds of visitors. As the number of gardeners living near the site has gone down and the numbers of women, children and older adults have risen, the need for a proper toilet has become clearer. It’s a matter of inclusion. At first, we had a hut with
a plank with a hole and bucket. It was OK... but not for everyone!
Our site has no electricity or sewage services and we wanted a waterless system big enough to accommodate pushchairs, wheelchairs and families – an ecological solution to the overall problem of human waste treatment in cities.
During 2019 and 2020, we narrowed the choice down to the Kazuba K2 from Woo Woo Toilets or the NatSol Full Access Composter. We looked at local installations of both. Each has its merits, but we chose the Kazuba as it was easier to use and manage. It relies on wind and heat to evaporate liquids and desiccate the separated solids.
It requires nothing from its users (no sawdust or shavings) and does not need to be dug out as solids are caught in a basket. When full, this can be rotated with a second basket and rest out of line of use so that it can dry out completely. Secondary composting of solids means they can be used on fruit bushes and trees. A hand sanitiser and toilet paper dispenser are provided. These advantages were decisive, though it was more expensive and its
heavy circular door did not always run smoothly. And its back has to be sited in full sun which restricts where it can be installed.
In January 2022 the supplier told
us the price would go up by 25% in March. So that galvanised us. Our committee decided to go ahead, providing the costs could be met
from external sources. The price of
the toilet was £9,700 and installation by the recommended supplier (Cai at Off-Grid Installs) cost £4,500. Funding applications were made to the Lottery Awards for All and various other charities and £17,300 was raised.
This funding enabled the project to
go ahead and paid for some extra facilities, such as fencing, a paved path and other improvements. Making
a lock our members could use with their gate key proved to be the most complicated task. We had to grind out enough space behind the door to enable a three lever claw action deadbolt to
be installed. We also had to move the door handle away from the door edge to stop it blocking the keyhole. This involved making a pair of stainless steel plates with holes placed to enable the plates to be attached through the old holes for the handle and the handle through new holes in the plates and the door. We screwed gratings to the inside of the cabin to cover gaps near the ground allowing in air and light
and added a flexible door brush inside the door. These both help keep leaves out – as the toilet is close to a big tree. Rechargeable heat activated LED lights make it easier to see inside.
Installation took two days in August 2022. The extra works were completed, mostly by us, over the next six months or so. Our members love it, so come and have a look if you are round our way.
Guy Herzmark, Chair, WJAA
44 Allotment and Leisure Gardener
At first, we had a hut with a plank with a hole and bucket. It was OK... but not for everyone!