Dry Toilets While Camping: 30,000 Litres of Water Saved

- Published on 23/04/2026 -

Dry Toilets While Camping: 30,000 Litres of Water Saved

Dry toilets are being installed in more and more eco-friendly campsites. They use zero water, produce useful compost for the soil and limit the pollution of groundwater. Wondering how they work, whether they’re really comfortable and where to find them?

This article answers all your questions: you’ll find concrete pointers here for preparing a stay out in nature, without giving up comfort!

Key takeaways

Dry toilets work without water thanks to a carbon-based material such as sawdust or wood shavings.
A well-designed unit produces no smell or discomfort for campers.
A family saves up to 30,000 litres of drinking water a year with this system.
The compost produced by the process is used to maintain the campsite’s green spaces.

What is a dry toilet at a campsite?

A dry toilet is a sanitary facility that works without a water flush. After each use, you add a handful of carbon-based material: sawdust, wood shavings, chopped straw or coconut fibre. This material absorbs moisture, blocks odours and starts the composting process.

There are 2 main types found at campsites:

Bio-managed litter models collect urine and solid waste in the same bin with sawdust.
Separating models direct urine to a dedicated channel and keep the solid fraction apart. This second option speeds up composting.

Dry sanitation at eco-responsible establishments is part of a broader approach to sensible resource management. It often complements a reed-bed filtration system, rainwater harvesting or solar panels.

Why choose dry toilets while camping?

The first argument remains water. According to the Centre d’information sur l’eau (French water information centre), a standard flush uses between 6 and 9 litres per use. That amounts to over 30,000 litres of drinking water a year for a family of 4. In a natural setting, this saving makes a real difference.

Dry toilets offer several concrete benefits for a nature stay:

They preserve drinking water resources in areas sometimes prone to drought.
You avoid discharging faecal matter into sewage networks that are saturated during peak season.
The compost produced becomes useful for the campsite’s gardens, hedges and flowerbeds.
Installation remains possible in isolated areas, without a costly connection to mains sewerage.
The equipment reinforces the credibility of accommodation certified Green Key or EU Ecolabel.

How do you use dry toilets during your stay?

Using them comes down to a few simple steps. You enter the cubicle and use the toilet as usual. Then you cover the waste with 1 to 2 handfuls of carbon-based material using the container provided. This layer neutralises odours and kicks off the composting process.

Here are the right habits to adopt at your pitch:

Check that the sawdust bucket is well stocked before using the cubicle.
Systematically cover the waste after each use.
Throw toilet paper directly into the bin, it composts along with the rest.
Avoid putting in wet wipes, sanitary towels or chemical products.
Let reception know if the ventilation or sawdust supply seem insufficient.

As for comfort, a well-ventilated cubicle and regular cleaning are enough to guarantee pleasant use for the whole family. Some campsites offer individual dry toilets at the pitch. Others favour a shared sanitary block maintained by the team. Either way, staff handle emptying and composting, leaving you free to enjoy your stay!

Where can you find an eco-friendly campsite in France?

Eco-friendly campsites are concentrated in regions with a strong nature identity. Nouvelle-Aquitaine, for example, comes out on top with 88 listed eco-responsible establishments. The PACA region follows with 44 campsites, ahead of Occitanie or Brittany.

To guide your choice, look out for certifications. The Green Key label, the EU Ecolabel and the ACSI éco-responsable mention guarantee verified practices. These labels cover water management, renewable energy, waste sorting and biodiversity. They remain a reliable marker of credibility when comparing several types of accommodation.

Don’t hesitate to visit the websites of campsites you like. The teams provide precise information about the sanitary facilities available. Campsites holding a strict label are often more likely to offer this type of system.

On our site, compare over 430 eco-responsible campsites in France and book the one that suits you best!

FAQ — Dry Toilets While Camping

Do dry toilets smell bad?

No, dry toilets don’t smell bad when well designed and maintained. The carbon-based material added after each use blocks odours. Natural ventilation removes moisture. At certified campsites, staff check the cubicles daily to guarantee comfort equivalent to a standard toilet.

Can you use toilet paper in a dry toilet while camping?

Yes, you can use toilet paper in a dry toilet while camping. The paper composts along with the other material without any trouble. Favour unbleached, ideally recycled paper. However, avoid wet wipes, cotton pads or feminine hygiene products, which don’t break down properly in the bin.

Are dry toilets suitable for children?

Yes, dry toilets are perfectly suitable for children once toilet-trained. Adding a handful of sawdust quickly becomes a game and a concrete lesson in ecology. Campsite cubicles are sized for all ages. A parent can accompany a young child without difficulty during their first uses.

Where does the waste collected in a dry toilet go?

Waste collected in a dry toilet goes to a composting area managed by the campsite. After several months of maturing, it turns into humus. This compost is then used for the establishment’s green spaces, hedges and flowerbeds. This cycle closes the loop and makes use of a resource usually considered waste.

Sources: