Preparing a Coco Coir Briquette – the ideal Composting Medium for our Composting Toilets

The Daltons Coco Coir Briquette is our preferred choice for a composting medium for the OGO Origin, OGO Nomad and Nature’s Head Composting Toilets. It is available from most home improvement stores and garden centres across New Zealand for around $5-$6 a 9L Briquette.

When hydrated with only one and a half litres of water the block will swell up in size to nearly fill a 9 litre bucket. This produces the correct quantity of composting medium to fill your toilet base to the required level – just slightly below the pivot points for the agitator – and with the correct moistness.

During use more water can be slowly added if the pile dries out too much through infrequent use.

1.   Obtain a large plastic container with lid, such as a 20 litre chilly bin or large plastic bag.

2.   Remove the briquette from the wrapper and stab the outside with a screwdriver to aid the water penetration.  (Fig.1) Place the briquette into the bin (or a large plastic bag with no holes.

3.   Pour about half of the water over one side, then turn the briquette over and pour half of the water over the other side.

4.   Break up the briquette to expose the dry portions. (Fig 2) and then if necessary add a small amount of water, stir the coir and then cover with a lid and leave for several hours to obtain an even saturation.

6.   The coir will now nearly fill a 9 litre bucket. Make sure it’s ‘fluffed up’ and break up any chunky bits.

7.   Empty into your Nature’s Head toilet base. One briquette when hydrated should fill it to just under the agitator when levelled out.

Note: Don’t use the 4 litres of water as indicated on the wrapper. This is for garden use. You only need 1.5 litres!