I just added a post to the Camp Full Monte blog (see link below). At first you might think it's a bit off-topic and in this forum you're probably right. In my defence, I've yet to meet a naturist who doesn't have an above average degree of interest in the environment but I have a wider agenda. Subtle promotion of naturism.
I sometimes despair at the number of excellent articles published on naturist blogs etc. All too often they are preaching to an already convinced readership. Yes it is important to get our message across and such articles are relevant to those with an evolving interest who are seeking information but it's obvious that there are many out there who, for whatever reason, embarrassment, social acceptance, societal conditioning etc. Would never dream of seeking out blogs/ information about naturism, even though they may be open to it. I think it far better that we give people an opportunity to recognise that they are open to naturism without it being shoved down their neck.
In recent issues of British Naturism magazine there have been a number of articles highlighting the importance of being more open about what is probably a relatively small part of our lives and being – naturism. I fully support this strategy. If, like me, you believe we need to present naturism as a "by the way – I also enjoy non-sexual social nudity" then I would urge you to also support this approach.
So my latest post on the Camp Full Monte blog http://www.full-monte.me/blog/2015/11/16/guys-its-time-to-lift-the-lid-on-water-waste/ is the first of a number of articles I hope to write over the winter months. I hope they will have wider appeal and tap into a previously unreachable audience. I hope it will lead some to wonder "What is this Camp Full Monte place?" and that their inquisitiveness will lead them to want to know more about naturism in general.
So … here's where you come in … If you, or anyone you know, has a degree of environmental awareness or who is just considering re-fitting their bathroom or toilet then they may be interested in this post. Share as widely as you want. Not only will you be hinting at your interest in naturism (how the hell did so and so find this article) but you might just further the acceptance of non-social nudity in your non-naturist circles.
Likewise, if you have a passion or interest in any non-naturist subject but can subtly/incidentally associate it to the naturist aspect of your life – then share it with us and we'll bounce it on.
What do you think? Worth a try?
The air flush urinals have a constant consumption of electricity — and a replaceable fan with a noise factor and a periodic replacement cost, according to the linked report. While it would save water, it would increase consumption of electricity. It also would not work during electric outages such as we are having here today, this is our 2nd full day without. They promise to restore electricity in four days, so if we had an electric powered "air flush" it would be stinking until next Sunday.
It may be a good alternative in places with very limited water availability such as desert areas, but in the UK and many parts of the US the electricity consumption and maintenance problems would offset any benefit.
With all that said, I am a strong advocate of having plumbing for men installed in our homes and hotel rooms, everywhere that men are expected to live.
Sorry Bob, been away from this site for too long and didn't see your comment….
Noise could be an issue, although it's little more than that emitted by a desktop PC fan and you have a fair degree of flexibility as to where the fan is located in the soil stack. Outside would be ideal but I accept this is not always possible. Power consumption is also minimal at less than 1amp @ 12v DC but still too much if you don't have any. That said a small solar panel and 12V battery is all you would need, it's how we power ours. If all else fails you can revert to flushing with a small jug of water in times of power outage. You only need enough to rinse the bowl and u-bend trap – less than 1 litre for sure. As for maintenance, our fans have been running 24×7 for 5 years with no maintenance at all.
Interesting blog and entirely ON-topic here, as you can see from the many responses. Preaching to the converted is a perennial naturist problem. Covering related subjects, and going mainstream with the "naked online is ok" message and related topics is always a good idea.
I take your point, especially regarding the cost of grey water re-use systems but these air flush urinals use NO water except perhaps a a litre or two a week for cleaning. The mitigation of installation cost is really only achieved if you are planning to re-furbishing/re-fit a bathroom/toilet. Rip out those bidets 🙂
We would love to know more about your woods cabin. Is this another example of potential subliminal naturism promotion through blogging about your cabin. Tell us all about it.
I'm a total convert for the use of solar powered 12v lighting. Do you have such a system. I'll be completely upgrading our lighting systems this year. I estimate the upgrade will pay for itself within just 4 weeks as a result of no longer having to run a petrol generator in the evenings. Watch this space.
Hi Steve & Denise. I understand what you are saying about the urinals, we have one which works slightly differently and also only needs a quick rinse every couple of days with a bit of waste water (e.g. from cooking) The actual urinal is a potty designed for toddlers bought from Ebay. A ceramic urinal was silly expensive new and almost impossible to source secondhand because they are usually smashed. The waste pipe goes into a barrel of old logs which helps neutralise the high nitrogen levels.The waste feeds to the bottom of the barrel so there is effectively an air lock and no smell. I'm not sure this would work as well if there were a lot of people using it frequently.
We are LED converts, because the only power we use is for lighting, the shower pump and to charge phones we manage on a couple of leisure batteries trickle charged from a solar panel. I am however planning to build a wind generator to up the speed of charging, during heavy use we sometimes have to resort to a petrol generator which I would like to avoid.
I agree with Richard Foley, sometimes the nude part of things gets in the way, I am just getting on with my life and doing the stuff I like, and sometimes I do it nude. Occasionally I post a picture or 2 here which people can look at if they want. Any preaching I do is about having the freedom to go about my business without anyone interfering. Mutual respect is everything.
In the UK the carbon cost of implementing grey water / rainwater recycling for toilet flushing is more than using fresh water from the mains especially if you are using modern low volume flushes.Mains water is so cheap that the long term financial cost of installing the infrastructure for recycling water on site is not cost effective. That being said, it is wasteful long term and waste should be abhorred because resources are limited globally and we each should be doing our best to reduce, reuse and recycle. Steve & Denise have a really good system which is essential to them because they have limited water coming onto the property. I wish we had an argument to win over hearts and minds for the general population and exemplars like this are a good start. Our off grid cabin down the woods follows a lot of these principles on a smaller scale but I can't see how I could implement it in our urban terrace house.
How will we read the morning paper if we're standing at a urinal? Ha!
First let me say that I put a urinal in each bathroom when I built my home about 10 years ago. Can we add a photo in a comment?
Urinals eliminate the feminist war on putting the seat (but not the lid) down.
In a private home a urinal is less messy than pissing in a toilet which was designed for a sit down poo.
A flush urinal takes only about 2/3 of the water quantity per flush compared to a sit down toilet.
If your home separates gray water for garden irrigation the whole urinal effluent can go to your gray water. Urine is almost completely sterile and is a boon to all green plants.
When indoor plumbing was first installed only a little more than a century ago most men were expected to pee out behind the barn. Sit down toilets were not and are not designed for men. But men live in our homes too. After a century of being ignored its time we demand indoor plumbing for men in our homes and hotel rooms.
In a home with a urinal the job of cleaning is easier because there is less or no splash on and around the toilet, and the urinal is a simple job to clean.
Men live in our homes too. Not having indoor plumbing for men is discriminatory and unacceptable. We men should still not be expected to go out behind the barn.