GREEN LOO Rota–Pod Quick start guide

GREEN LOO
DRY COMPOSTING TOILET
Owners –Installation –Operation
Manual
for the
ROTA-POD

2
For installation:
The Rota –Pod requires 75mm Stormwater pipe (not supplied for transport reasons) as its vent
pipe. This pipe is sometimes not a standard stock item in your local plumbing supply shop and may
need to be ordered in especially.
Original Rota Pod Instruction leaflet supplied.
Please note that the original instruction the Finnish manufacturer has supplied are enclosed
with the Rota –Pod.
There are some dissimilarities with the Green Loo instructions, i.e. the use of a moisture trap,
supply of electric fan, the lining of the base for the composting containers etc.
Green Loo instructions should take precedence over the Finnish ones –however if in doubt,
contact us for clarifications.

3
INSTALLATION PLANNING
It's all in the planning!
For proper operation of the toilet you should consider a number of issues.
The design of the site and building needs to allow for:
• An elevated starting point for liquid to flow by gravity from the toilet down into a liquid absorption
trench which is to be dug outside the toilet. The whole toilet needs to sit on level ground, IF
ANYTHING SLOPING SLIGHTLY BACKWARDS.
• Space for the toilet and a firm, dry and sheltered base for it to sit.
• Adequate access to service and maintain the toilet.
• Good ventilation to provide oxygen and evaporate liquids
• Electrical supply (240VAC or 12VDC) to the fan location
The Rota Pod is supplied as a kit containing most of the components required and can be installed
using basic building tools and materials available at plumbing suppliers or hardware shops
Installation of the Rota Pod involves:
1. Preparing a flat, level and firm base for the composting container to sit
2. Installing the ventilation pipe-work, including fan and vent cowl
3. Connecting the ventilation pipe work, electrical connection and excess liquids pipe
4. Preparing the excess liquids dispersal trench
5. Final checks before use
Space Required
There is no ideal set of measurements which will suit all applications but you do need to provide
enough space to locate and install the toilet, enough space to fit and maintain the air vent piping and
fan and enough space to access and exchange the containers.
•Don't plan to install a light directly over the pedestal/waste chute as this will attract flying
insects.
•Don’t use your toilet fan. It’s suction works against the suction of the fan of the Rota Pod.
Most Rota Pods are installed indoors and are usually screwed or glued to the floor.

4
Vent System
The Rota Pod airflow requirement is provided by 75mm pipe and incorporates a continuous running
fan (supplied). Consider how the fan will be powered (240VAC or 12VDC) and ensure the fan
housing is accessible for maintenance. Ensure correct airflow of the fan away from the toilet.
Remember that warm air from the composting chamber (the composting process generates its own
warmth) naturally rises, and that sharp bends restrict airflow –designing the vent piping correctly will
improve natural operation.
Warm air holding moisture entering a cold vent can result in condensation. Consider insulating the
outlet vent piping or providing a moisture (condensate) trap as per page 4 and 5.
Excess Liquid
A lot of the liquid waste is used up in the composting process, as well as being evaporated through the
vent system. An absorption trench is required to deal with any excess liquid.
The length of the trench is 1 –2 m for the Rota Pod servicing 2 –3 people. The trench is to be 400mm
wide, 400mm deep.
However, dimensions must not be less than required by Regulation 50 of the Health (Treatment of
Sewage and Disposal of Effluent and Liquid Waste) Regulations 1974 or AS/NZS 1547. See diagram
for an installation below.
1. INSTALLATION
The first thing to do is to decide where in the toilet room you want to place the Rota Pod. Ensure you
have an outside facing wall at the back of the Rota Pod for ventilation and excess liquids drain
purposes.

5
Once you have found the right spot in the toilet room, either glue the Rota Pod to the floor using
silicone or similar –or drill 4 small holes through the edge of the bottom of the Rota Pod base and into
the floor –affix with suitable screws or fixings.
Drill the right size hole at floor level through an outside facing wall wall of the toilet to allow the
excess liquids drain hose to traverse. Attach the hose to the Rota Pod, using the supplied hose clamp
and feed through wall. Seal hole with silicone. Connect the hose to the absorption trench. Ensure there
is a natural fall on the drain hose!
Drill a suitable hole in the wall to allow the vent pipe to traverse through the wall. Suggested
installation drawing below (Please note that the drawing shows the optional moisture trap). After the
vent system has been installed, seal wall hole with silicone.

6
Vent Pipe Installation
The ventilation pipe should rise perpendicularly with as few curves and elbows as possible, the vent
cowl placed on top. Don’t use pipe cement – the push fittings should be tight enough for this purpose,
and this allows you to dismantle and service the vent system as required.
The below is an example as to a standard vent installation –there are many permutations possible and
if in doubt, contact us for discussion and guidance:
1. Cut off a short piece of vent pipe and fit over the exhaust outlet of the Rota Pod.
2. Attach the fan (supplied), and cut off a short piece of the vent pipe and insert into the fan. Plug the fan
into the power supply (supplied) or 12V system and ensure the airflow is away from the composting
container, upwards towards the exhaust end.
3. Attach the 45 degree bend (supplied), pointing backwards. Cut a hole in the wall, allowing the vent pipe
assembly to traverse the wall. Cut a short piece of pipe to traverse the wall.
a. If using a moisture trap (optional extra): Attach the Y joiner as per the picture. Cut off a short
piece of vent pipe and insert into the Y –joiner at the bottom. Finish with attaching the cap.
This is your moisture trap, which should be emptied every few weeks by undoing the cap,
letting the water drain out and re-attaching the cap.
b. If using a 45 degree joiner (supplied as standard), attach to the pipe instead.
4. Attach a length of vent pipe to the house wall using pipe fasteners. Add additional vent pipes, joiners
and pipe fasteners (from your local plumbing store) as required. Cap with the (supplied) vent cowl. The
vent cowl should be 60 cm above the roof line. Congratulations, you are done!
2. BEFORE USE
Before putting the system into use, line the composting chambers with the Geotech material supplied
(available to re-order) and with a 2 - 3 cm layer of peat. Also, after every emptying, remember to add a
Geotech material and a new layer of peat before use.
3. USE OF THE ROTA POD
The Rota Pod System can be used almost like any normal water toilet. Toilet paper can be thrown into
the toilet, as it composts together with the waste. However, any items containing plastic, e.g. sanitary
towels should be placed into a separate bin. A handful of covering material (peat, 1 cup) should be
added after each bowel movement.
Remember that there is a balance between covering the deposit enough visually, and covering it
excessively, resulting in the chamber filling up and needing changing more often.
Our compost accelerator (biodegrader) may also be added.

7
4. SERVICE
a) Check the fan 1) monthly to ensure it is working or 2) if you notice unusual odour.
b) The average length of time until a container is ¾ full (recommended exchange level) is around
2 –4 weeks at 2 people full time use.
c) When this level is reached move the mechanism on so that a new, empty chamber can be
started.
d) When the last empty container is filled, remove the container that has been composting the
longest and observe point 5 below.
e) If the contents of the composting container have not totally broken down, they may be added to
a garden composter to finish composting before using the compost as per point 5.
To exchange or empty the Rota Pod, protective clothing, face mask, glasses and gloves must be worn
at all times. Lift the container out, using the in-build handles. The waste will finish composting in the
Rota Pod (3 months is ideal) or external composter.
When emptying a container, carry to the disposal site. Gently lay the container on its side and start
emptying the container with a spade, shovel or trowel. Always observe safe work methods. Clean the
container by hosing if required.
5. USE OF COMPOST
a. Bury the contents of the container into a prepared area. Burial depth is a minimum of 300mm
in soil that is not intended for human food cultivation for six (6) months, and
b. Burial should be a minimum of 30 metres from any water source and 6 metres from any sub-
soil or open drainage system, or
c. Disposed of as directed by the Local Government.
6. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS
Composting will occur satisfactorily between 5 and 50 degrees Celsius.
GOING AWAY
If you are leaving the premises for a longer period, it is OK to hibernate the system.
Cover the active container’s compost with a generous amount of peat and turn the fan off.
When re-activating the system turn the fan on and possibly add some compost starter.

8
Dear Friend,
Thank you very much for choosing our Rota Pod Bio Sanitation
System.
We hope that you enjoy many years of fruitful, waterless and
trouble-free use.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions, suggestions,
we are here to help.
Feedback is always welcome and is an invaluable part of providing
an excellent product and service!
Finally, thank you for being an integral part of the environmental
solution. The Earth will thank you too!
The Team at Green Loo
Green Loo
PO Box 2678
Burleigh BC, QLD 4220
[email protected]
www.greenloo.org