I’ll admit, hemp hurds have a lot going for them, but I’ve seen a few issues crop up when tenants use them in my units:
- Sourcing can be unpredictable. Local stores rarely stock them, and bulk orders aren’t always practical for folks who don’t have storage space. Pine and cedar are just easier to find in most hardware stores or garden centers.
- Absorption is good, but in high-traffic situations (think: shared units, or families), I’ve noticed hemp can compact and get dense at the bottom of the bin. That sometimes leads to drainage problems and, ironically, more odor.
- The musty smell thing—totally agree cedar can get funky if you’re not careful, but I’ve had tenants complain about hemp’s earthy scent too, especially if it gets damp and sits for a while.
- Double-bagging isn’t always about the bin seal. Sometimes liners tear when people empty them, or they get punctured by sharp debris. One liner is fine if everyone’s careful, but in practice, accidents happen, and it’s a pain to clean up after.
- Packaging waste is a fair point, but some brands of pine/cedar now come in compostable bags. Not perfect, but getting better.
Not knocking hemp, just saying it’s not a silver bullet. For me, I’d rather stick with what’s easy to source and manage, especially when I’m not the only one using the system. Maybe it’s different if you’re running a solo setup or have more control over your supplies. Just my two cents from the landlord trenches...
Not knocking hemp, just saying it’s not a silver bullet. For me, I’d rather stick with what’s easy to source and manage, especially when I’m not the only one using the system.
That’s a fair take. In shared setups, I’ve found pine shavings are just less hassle—easy to top up, and nobody’s hunting for specialty stuff. If you’re worried about compaction and drainage, try layering a bit of coarse sawdust or even some shredded cardboard at the bottom before adding your main cover material. It helps keep things from getting too dense, especially when bins fill up fast. Not perfect, but it cuts down on those “uh, what’s that smell?” moments.
I get what you mean about pine shavings being the path of least resistance, especially when you’ve got multiple people using the loo. I’ve tried a few different things—hemp, coco coir, even dried leaves once (not my best idea)—and honestly, the simpler the better when it comes to keeping everyone on board.
If you’re worried about compaction and drainage, try layering a bit of coarse sawdust or even some shredded cardboard at the bottom before adding your main cover material.
That’s interesting. I’ve always wondered if mixing materials would actually help with airflow and moisture, or if it just makes emptying the bin more of a pain later. Does the cardboard break down fast enough? I’ve had issues with paper products clumping up and getting kind of gross if things get too wet. Maybe I’m not shredding it fine enough?
Also, how do you handle sourcing sawdust? I can get pine shavings at the feed store no problem, but sawdust seems trickier unless you know someone with a woodshop. Is there a big difference in odor control between sawdust and shavings? Sometimes I feel like shavings are just masking smells rather than actually absorbing them.
One thing that’s worked for me is tossing in a handful of biochar every now and then. Not sure if it’s placebo or what, but it seems to help with both smell and moisture. Anyone else tried that? Or am I just making expensive compost?
I’m still figuring out what works best for our setup—especially since my partner is less enthusiastic about “experimenting” with toilet substrates than I am. Curious if anyone’s found a magic combo that keeps things low-maintenance but still effective.
Does the cardboard break down fast enough? I’ve had issues with paper products clumping up and getting kind of gross if things get too wet. Maybe I’m not shredding it fine enough?
You’re right to be cautious with cardboard and paper. In my experience, unless it’s shredded pretty fine, it can mat up and hold moisture, which isn’t great for airflow or odor. If you’re set on using cardboard, running it through a garden shredder or even just tearing it into small bits helps a lot, but honestly, it’s still not as effective as sawdust or shavings for absorption.
Sawdust is tricky to source unless you’ve got a local mill or woodshop that uses untreated wood. I’ve found that some cabinet shops will let you take bags off their hands if you ask, but you have to be careful about what kind of wood they’re using—avoid anything with finishes or glues.
As for odor control, sawdust does a better job than shavings in my opinion. The finer particles trap moisture and smells more effectively, while shavings are mostly just a physical cover. That said, shavings are way easier to handle and less messy.
Biochar’s an interesting addition. It’s not just placebo—it actually does help with odor and moisture, but yeah, it’s pricier than other options. I’d say if you’ve got access to cheap biochar, keep using it, but don’t feel like you have to.
It’s always a balancing act between convenience and effectiveness... especially when not everyone in the house is as enthusiastic about “toilet science” experiments.
“unless it’s shredded pretty fine, it can mat up and hold moisture, which isn’t great for airflow or odor.”
That’s been my experience too. If you’re using cardboard, I’d recommend a three-step process: first, remove any tape or glossy bits; second, soak it briefly to soften; third, shred as finely as possible. Even then, it’s still not as absorbent as sawdust. One trick I’ve found is mixing in a bit of dry garden soil—helps with clumping and odor, and it’s cheap. Just don’t overdo it or you’ll end up with mud.