Compost toilet debate: sawdust vs peat moss after 3 years off grid

I have been using a composting toilet in my cabin near Asheville for 3 years now. Last month I switched from sawdust to peat moss and it feels like a whole different system, less smell and faster breakdown. But my buddy down the road swears sawdust is better because it's free and he gets it from a mill. He says peat moss costs money and isn't renewable. I had to buy a bale for $12 and it lasted 6 weeks, which adds up. So what do you all use and why? Has anyone else tried both and noticed a big difference?

3 comments

3 Comments

patricia2621mo ago

Had a buddy who tried peat moss for a few months in his setup and swore it made the pile too acidic for his garden after. He switched back to sawdust and said the trade off wasn't worth the extra cost, your mileage may vary though.

ward.jamie1mo ago

See, I totally get where Patricia's buddy is coming from on the acidity thing but I think it gets blown out of proportion. My own pile has been fine for gardening after a full year of using peat moss exclusively, it just needs a little lime mixed in before you add it to your soil. The faster breakdown and way less smell is worth the $12 every six weeks to me. Sawdust is great if it's free and dry but around here the stuff from the mill is usually green and takes forever to break down. Peat moss just works better for the system I run and I haven't looked back once since making the switch.

hollywhite1mo ago

@patricia262 I get what you're saying about acidity but honestly is it really that big of a deal if you just add some lime. Seems like people overthink this stuff.