Bishop blesses compost toilet

The latest environmentally friendly toilet, installed in an isolated church in Devon, has been blessed by the Bishop of Crediton, the Rt Rev Bob Evens.

The twin ‘treebog’ was constructed at Escot Church in East Devon after church members and vicar the Rev Cate Edmonds agreed it was the answer to the problem of hosting special events at a church that stands in the middle of a field.

The previous alternatives had been importing costly portaloos or ‘inviting’ people to take a chance behind a tree. The cost of connecting the church to the main water supply and building toilets is estimated to be around 10 times the price of installing a compost system.

John Michael Kennaway from Escot installed the eco-friendly timber and straw toilets, called treebogs, which require no running water and will also be available to passing walkers.

The principle of these toilets is simple, says Martyn Goss, Director of the Council for Church and Society in Exeter Diocese.

"The whole construction is made from timber and straw bales. There is no running water, plumbing or electricity. Everything is ecologically recognised and acceptable to such bodies as National Trust, Friends of the Earth and RSPB," he said. "Gravity takes away the liquids and the solids break down naturally. There is little or no odour, and no health hazards.”

Escot Church Warden, Keith Townsend added: “Now Escot can plan events knowing the toilets are close by. As the construction is close to a public footpath, we are confident it will be a welcome stopping-off point for walkers on occasions. Toilet rolls and hand gels provide the necessary other hygiene bits and pieces."

The first composting toilet in Exeter Diocese was at Chardstock, St Andrew and a similar one has been installed in a shed in the churchyard at Luppitt, St Mary. There are two further parishes interested in following Escot’s example – both churches with no running water.

Other dioceses with compost toilets include Bath and Wells, Salisbury and Winchester.

David Shreeve the Church of England's National Environment Adviser said: “The CofE has been looking to reduce its energy consumption through Shrinking the Footprint and has recently extended this campaign to include biodiversity and water issues.

"The composting toilet would appear to tick all the boxes and bring great relief at the same time.”