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The willow feeder system, developed by permaculture expert Paul Wheaton, offers a "freaky-cheap" and sustainable alternative to conventional septic systems and sewage treatment plants. This system employs a unique method of managing human waste, transforming it into a nutrient-rich fertilizer known as "willow candy." Unlike composting toilets, which rely on decomposition, willow feeders utilize sealed garbage cans to create a dry environment that mummifies the waste, effectively eliminating pathogens while conserving valuable carbon and nitrogen. A small amount of sawdust is added to each can, primarily for aesthetics. After aging for two years in these sealed containers, the resulting pathogen-free "willow candy" is ready to be applied as fertilizer. However, not all plants can handle the high nutrient content of this unique fertilizer. "Poop beasts", such as willow, cottonwood, poplar, and bamboo trees, thrive on "willow candy" and readily absorb its nutrients. The willow feeder system exemplifies permaculture principles by turning human waste into a valuable resource, fostering sustainable gardening practices and minimizing environmental impact. Paul Wheaton, a prominent figure in the permaculture community, has implemented the willow feeder system at his property, Wheaton Labs, and actively promotes it through his online platforms, including permies.com. He often refers to waste as a "feed" for another system, encouraging a shift in perspective towards a more holistic view of resource management.

The willow feeder system, a "freaky-cheap" and sustainable approach to human waste management, was developed by permaculture expert Paul Wheaton as an alternative to conventional septic systems and sewage treatment plants. The system emphasizes a closed-loop cycle, transforming human waste, or "poop", into valuable fertilizer, termed "willow candy". Unlike composting toilets, willow feeders utilize a dry environment created within sealed garbage cans to mummify the waste, preventing composting and the potential spread of pathogens. A small amount of sawdust is added to each can, primarily for aesthetic purposes. This dry process also preserves valuable carbon and nitrogen, which are often lost to the atmosphere during hot composting. After two years of aging, the pathogen-free "willow candy" can be safely applied as fertilizer to "poop beasts" — trees like willow, cottonwood, poplar, and bamboo — which can handle the high nutrient content without being harmed. This system turns human waste into a valuable resource, promoting sustainable gardening practices.

Dry outhouses, frequently discussed in permaculture, provide a sustainable sanitation solution that prioritizes resource conservation and waste reduction, but their usability and effectiveness rely on careful design and management. While simple in concept, dry outhouses require specific considerations to optimize user experience and ensure proper waste handling. Strategic placement on elevated ground promotes natural drainage and helps maintain a dry pit, essential for reducing odors and pathogen survival. However, achieving a truly "no pee" environment, while ideal for minimizing volume and toxicity, can be challenging, especially for women. Urine diversion mechanisms are crucial for separating urine, a valuable fertilizer, and facilitating a drier composting process for the solid waste. The addition of sawdust further aids in odor control and composting, while proper ventilation, often achieved through a "breather pipe" in a willow feeder system, ensures aerobic decomposition and minimizes smells. User comfort can be enhanced with features like comfortable seating, adequate lighting, and clear instructions on proper usage, including sawdust application and urine diversion practices. Effectiveness in terms of long-term sustainability hinges on proper waste management. The "mummified" waste, or poop-jerky, after two years of aging, is ideally applied to "poop beast" trees like willows, poplars, or cottonwoods, completing the nutrient cycle. By addressing usability and effectiveness through thoughtful design and management, dry outhouses can become a viable and environmentally sound sanitation solution, embodying the principles of permaculture.

Made of ancient diatom skeletons, diatomaceous earth is edible to mammals but deadly to insects. De scratches through a bug's waxy exoskeleton coating turning their innards to teeny tiny bug jerky.

Hugelkultur is soil on wood. When stacked seven feet high, it provides all of the water and nutrition for a full garden.