***FUNDED - THANK YOU!*** KICKSTARTER: Poo to Peaches – A Composting Toilet RevoPOOtion!

They say the problem’s the solution
Poop’s a resource, not pollution
So join the CT revoPOOtion!

WARNING: This post contains potty humor. You can’t say I didn’t warn you.



See the Kickstarter HERE

The Western US is has seen some of the worst drought ever these past few years and things don’t look like they’ll be getting better anytime soon. So do we wait until the shit hits the fan and we run out of water? Or do we do something about it while we can?

If you’re like me, you don’t wait around wringing your hands, you take ACTION!

In Arizona, a local non-profit, Watershed Management Group, has been making simple, sustainable, water conservation solutions available for over a decade – transforming storm, rain and greywater into shade, food and a better quality of life.

Now they’re taking on their biggest challenge – shifting the “Potty Paradigm”.

We all know that everybody poops. When animals do it, we say they’re fertilizing the land. Heck, we even gather it up into bags and sell it to garden centers! But when humans poop, there’s a disconnect. For some reason, wasting 10 gallons of water a day crapping in clean drinking water is OK but crapping in a composting toilet and using that nutrient on your garden is gross, disgusting – unimaginable. This mindset stinks!

To address this foul situation, WMG has trialed a low cost barrel composting toilet (CT) system appropriate for use in both urban and rural settings. For the past several years, they’ve worked with David Omick on design and the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality on environmental issues while the University of Arizona has repeatedly tested the resulting humanure and certified it Grade A compost, safe for agricultural and landscape use. With this data in hand, WMG is now straining to get these designs approved for legal use in Arizona; setting a precedent for the rest of the country to follow. Think of it – a legally permitted DIY composting toilet would be available for 6.7 million people – just in Arizona! And it won’t be long before other water-strapped states follow Arizona’s lead.



The "fecal analysis" of water harvesting guru, Brad Lancaster's humanure. Oh how I yearn to have certified poop!

In anticipation for that moment when the composting throne becomes legally permittable, WMG has written an educational book entitled ‘Poo to Peaches’. The book is geared towards young children with tips for adults interleafed with the children’s pages. The goal is to shift the potty paradigm in young minds so we can all thrive in a greener future.





So don’t be a party pooper – be a Pooper Trooper by adding your nutrient drop to the ‘Poo to Peaches’ Kickstarter Campaign!

EXTRA BONUS for Permies.com members only!

Anyone who contributes to the Poo to Peaches Kickstarter has a personal invitation from me to add their nutrient drop to my own composting toilet here in Phoenix (direct deposit only – no mail-ins!). IN ADDITION, your name will be added to the “Shit List” – a veritable “Poo’s Poo” of discerning Turdinistas, displayed next to the CT!

So what are you waiting for? SQUAT or get off the pot! Now’s your chance to make this shit LEGAL and FUN! Donate today so you can proudly say that you had a hand in changing the potty paradigm. Think of the stories you can tell your grandkids! “Back in the old days, we used to poop in our drinking water…”

FURTHER BONUS for all Permies.com members!



Lisa Shipek, Executive Director of WMG and Catlow Shipek, Senior Project Manager, will be taking your questions in the Composting Toilet forum the week of March 9th. It’s going to be a “his view/her view” on the ole “CT” issue. Come ask those questions you’ve always wanted to ask but just didn’t have your shit together enough to put into words.

Jennifer, you gave me a chuckle!

I'm very thankful for the work that you do in your community, it's quite important work and people need to be made aware of the issues you face in your biome. Keep going!

Chad - thanks so much for your kind words - and glad I could make you chuckle!

Personally I feel like it's the prerogative of those of us who live in water scarce environments to challenge the way we use water and lead the charge on water conservation. It does involve challenging the way people relate to this resource. Trying to change the "Poo Paradigm" has proven challenging because most people in wealthy countries do not want to think about sewage or waste - they just want it to go "away" (wherever that is).

That's another reason getting this information out there in front of people is so important - we start a conversation. And while individual homesteads may employ composting toilets, the concept of them being commonly used in a large city takes some getting used to. But that's exactly what we're hoping to accomplish. "Poo to Peaches" is our first step to reach the permies.

We CAN do this. And we can simultaneously make our desert greener in the process!

Guys - I definitely need your help getting this kickstarter funded. This is NOT a topic that appeals to the general permies. It takes an intrepid group of eco-poopers to really "get" how important it is to change the poo paradigm - especially in the face of increasing drought years for the Western USA.

Just this weekend, this article came out:

California farmers resign themselves to drought: 'Nobody's fault but God's'



I would only change one thing about that title - it's "Nobody's fault but OURS". We have used our natural water resources very poorly and it's time to turn this around. Any and all water conservation, starting in the drier states, will only improve what has become a dire situation.

Please help us challenge the way we view water, poop and consumption! This one is only going to get funded from those who already understand the situation - YOU!

A big shout out to Matt Powers, Justin Rhodes and Cassie and Paul for helping to get the word out! And of course - to all of you who've already participated!

Just throwing it out there, I'm not a good organizer, my good friend sold a similar book through home school, and unschooling locals. (They get national funds for that stuff)

I think this will be a huge public statement when this is successfully funded good luck!!!

Ok, I'm in. 40 hrs left with only $394 to go.

AWESOMENESS!! This (shit) is actually going to happen!

Thank you to all of our funders so far!

If you can support us, even at the $5 to $15 level - both myself and the Colorado river will thank you!

....and, we're funded!

On behalf of myself, and the mighty Colorado River Basin - we thank you!

This is what we are working to repair. This is the delta of the Colorado river in Mexico....

I am ao excited that this is funded! Congrats!

Congratulations!!!

Thanks guys! Behind the scenes there is much celebration here!

Yayyyy! So glad this got funded.

Congratulations.