The Toilet Papers: Recycling Waste and Conserving Water

by Sim Van der Ryn

A classic is back in print! One of the favorite books of 1970s back-to-the-landers, The Toilet Papers is an informative, inspiring, and irreverent look at how people have dealt with their wastes through the centuries. In a historical survey, Van der Ryn provides the basic facts concerning human wastes, and describes safe designs for toilets that reduce water consumption and avert the necessity for expensive and unreliable treatment systems. The Toilet Papers provides do-it-yourself plans for a basic compost privy and a variety of graywater systems.

Genres: Environment, Nonfiction

124 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1940

About the author

Simon Herman Van der Ryn was a Dutch-born American architect, researcher and educator. Van der Ryn's professional interest was applying principles of physical and social ecology to architecture and environmental design. He promoted sustainable design at the community scale and the building-specific scale. He designed single-family and multi-family housing, community facilities, retreat centers and resorts, learning facilities, as well as office and commercial buildings.

Reviews

[Shelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is extremely valuable information but it needs to be brought into the 21st century! Perhaps it’s been done? If so, I would love to read about it!

[KB · Rating 4 out of 5]

As one working in the field of wastewater management, I was surprised by the enduring relevance of this work which was originally published in the late 1970s. Other than some dated financial figures, the information provided in this book still holds great value for anyone interested in an individual or societal transition toward sustainability.

The material is presented in a very accessible manner, even for an audience with little or no previous knowledge of the subject. The casual and sometimes cheeky tone facilitates a quick reading.

[mahatmanto · Rating 3 out of 5]

yang menjadi pokok perhatian saya adalah bab pertama: notes on the history of easing thyself. bab-bab lain melanjutkan pembahasan mengenai bagaimana buangan ini harus dikelola dalam hubungannya dengan ekologi perkotaan dan permukiman modern.

ada beberapa kisah yang disajikan di bab pertama untuk meletakkan persoalan penanganan 'buangan' dalam lingkungan hunian. penanganan kebutuhan biologis satu ini jelas tidak melulu alami. tiap lingkungan merumuskan bagaimana cara membuang kotoran badan, apa yang baik dan apa yang buruk. ini merupakan produk kultural, sehingga ikut masuk juga dalam norma-norma suci dan direkam dalam kitab sucinya.

penulis menganggap ada perbedaan tajam antara tradisi barat dan timur dalam melakukan pembuangan kotoran badan ini. jepang dan cina dijadikan representasi timur sedangkan eropa pada umumnya jadi wakil barat. di timur, sudah ada kebiasaan membuang kotoran untuk kepentingan pupuk pertanian, sedangkan di barat baru pada pertengahan abad XIX muncul shower dan kakus. sebelumnya, kotoran dibuang di jalan atau ditimbun di suatu tempat [17-19:].

orang inggris adalah yang pertama menggabungkan buangan cair dengan buangan padat. mereka pula yang menemukan toilet duduk, suatu kebiasaan yang sebenarnya kurang baik secara fisiologis, karena tidak alamiah dan justru menyebabkan konstipasi.

paparan singkat dalam bab pertama [dan buku ini secara keseluruhan memang tipis:] ini buat saya memberi gambaran perkembangan disain toilet dan konsekuensinya pada rumah tinggal. kegiatan biologis ini ternyata baru terpikir baru-baru saja sebagai kasus disain rumah dan permukiman kota. berabad-abad lamanya kegiatan ini berlangsung 'alamiah' begitu saja...:-)

[Andrew Watson]

Some intersting sh... stuff about waste management and mismanagement.

[Fernleaf · Rating 3 out of 5]

A slim volume originally published in the late 70's as part of the back-to-the-land movement, this book discusses the alternatives to the conventional flush toilet.