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System Design

Circular & Sustainable Sanitation

At Point of Shift, we design circular, sustainable sanitation systems that mimic nature and celebrate the value in our pee and poop. Circular sanitation is any system that treats human waste and converts it into a usable product such as energy, water, or compost.

 

We assist clients through each stage of the design and implementation process for sustainable, off-grid toilets, including the structure design, system design, and permitting. We are passionate about bringing beauty and design into the bathroom to celebrate the natural, ancient ritual we participate in daily.

Common Circular Sanitation Elements In POS Designs

  • Compost Systems: Treating waste with oxygen-loving bacteria to create compost + fertilizer
  • Biogas Systems: Treating waste without oxygen to create biogas to produce electricity or heat
  • Pee Gardens: Separating pee  from solids and diverting it into a nitrogen-loving “pee” rain garden
  • Greywater Recycling: Utilizing plants and volcanic rocks to treat greywater for toilet flushing and irrigation

Off-Grid Sanitation Without Septic

A key hurdle in unlocking circular sanitation systems is connecting with regulators to permit new and innovative systems. Point of Shift is currently working with regulators in Vermont, Massachusetts, and Maryland to permit new circular sanitation systems that would allow off-grid buildings to implement circular sanitation without implementing a septic tank.

Building Your Circular Toilet System

Point of Shift offers various opportunities for clients to transform and implement circular sanitation systems. We follow a four-phase approach that includes envisioning, designing, permitting, and implementing your circular bathroom.

Our pricing is based on system size, treatment complexity, and the number of phases involved in the project. Since each sanitation system is unique, feel free to reach out to us with your ideas.

Contact Us 🙂

Our Main Offering: Circular Sanitation Assessment and Design 

 

At Point of Shift (POS), we specialize in designing custom circular sanitation systems that meet your specific needs. We focus on your vision, desired maintenance, and budget. We are technology agnostic, allowing us to create solutions based solely on what works best for you and your site.

 

Working with you, we analyze various options, considering climate, usage, and local regulations, to present three possible solutions. We then narrow down the ideal solution for you. Point of Shift works around the world and has successfully designed systems across three continents, adapting to a variety of environments including freezing temperatures, extreme humidity, and desert climates.

Bucket Composting Toilet Design + Implementation Guide

 

For clients interested in implementing a DIY composting bucket system, Point of Shift offers a comprehensive guidebook with step-by-step instructions, design strategies, permitting guidance, and maintenance tips to help you build and manage your own outdoor composting toilet.

Download Guide

A Toilet Chat

 

Want to pick our brains on toilets? Want to walk us through your thoughts on your system and get our feedback? Want to brainstorm how to talk to regulators in your area and permit your bathroom?

 

A toilet chat is an hour-long call with Point of Shift to discuss your toilet dreams, ideas, and problems. Sliding scale of $50 to $100. Schedule your toilet chat.

Additional Add-Ons

Permit Support

All wastewater systems in the United States require a permit or, at the very least, an understanding of local regulations. Point of Shift has extensive experience working with state, county, and local regulators to implement innovative systems. With this add-on, POS will determine how to permit your system, write the necessary applications, and apply for all required permits.

What’s Included? 

  • A review of regulations at the local, county, and state levels
  • A clear pathway and approach to permitting
  • Meetings with regulators as necessary
  • A finalized permit, along with a list of responsibilities for any testing and maintenance required after installation

Structure Design

Point of Shift can design both the interior and exterior of your outhouse or off-grid toilet structure. We have designed and built several outdoor bathroom structures, ranging from classic A-frame designs to custom outhouses. Our designs are elegant and can be customized to fit your vision and circular sanitation objectives.

What’s Included? 

  • Technical drawings for the outdoor bathroom structure
  • A list of identified materials for construction
  • A document summarizing implementation plans and essential considerations for the construction process, ready for a contractor to use
View Bathroom Design

Implementation

Limited Currently to the Northeast US Region and Eastern Canada

Point of Shift can install selected systems if you are located in the Northeast or Eastern Canada.

Stay in The Loop

Point of Shift is also designing fun, whimsical bathroom accessories, including toilet seats and toilet brushes, to be available in the fall of 2025.

 

If you are interested in being kept in the loop, 
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