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When you’ve gotta go, you’ve gotta go—and a chemical toilet can quickly become an object of torment if you’re in a remote spot and unable to empty its brimming contents responsibly. I’m sure there are countless readers out there who have found themselves in a similar situation. One such person is Markus Becker, co-founder of the Düsseldorf based company TRELINO. Established in 2020, TRELINO has quickly grown into a sought-after supplier of composting toilets.
Unlike the majority of companies producing injection-moulded products, Markus set his sights from the outset on local manufacture. Design is essentially in-house and component manufacture is largely within a 50-kilometre radius of the head office and showroom, other than some components which are sourced in the south of Germany and a silicone membrane that is imported.
Markus enjoys travelling to remote areas and knew he had to find a viable alternative that would alleviate the chemical toilet related problem of having to regularly visit dump stations. Research led him to the well-established Scandinavian solution of compost toilets and an idea was born. He registered the website meinetrenntoilette.de as a sales platform for existing brands, learned form the pros and cons of those products, and listened to his customers. With all the knowledge he accumulated, it was only a matter of time before the TRELINO brand was founded with its own lineup of products which has now evolved into three product lines: Origin, Timber and Evo—plus a DIY kit for the discerning customer who needs something more unique and tailored to their specific needs, but more on that later.
ORIGIN
As the name indicates, this is the range that started it all. The main body is made of PE plastic and finished with a sturdy wooden lid. The range includes three sizes: S, M and L.
Whereas S is available in either white or anthracite, M and L are supplied in anthracite only.
TIMBER
The name is a bit of a giveaway. Other than the internal components, the body, lid and seat are all made from aesthetically designed birch wood and finished with an HPL coating. Whereas the not-so-clinical appearance trumps from a visual point of view, the wooden materials do make this range approximately twice as heavy as the purely plastic alternatives. Something to keep in mind if your vehicle has a weight problem.
Available in three sizes, S, M, and L, the most compact of the three is also available as a self-assembly kit.
EVO
This is the most refined lineup. Available in white or anthracite plastic, the lid is soft closing and the separator/seat component is more ergonomic. Materials used are ABS plastic.
Also available in three sizes, S, M and L.
INSTALLATION
TRELINO customers are about as diverse as they come. Some drive vans and trucks, some have tiny houses, others have garden sheds. And then there is the outdoor sporting fraternity who carry their TRELINO in the boot of their car for those moments when you simply have to go, but aren’t comfortable with disappearing into the woods with a shovel.
With the variety of sizes, materials and finishes, it’s fair to say there is probably a TRELINO model for every application and ambience.
As far as 4×4 drivers are concerned—and by that I mean the likes of the Land Rover, Toyota and G-class brigade—then the S size is the most practical candidate. And while you’re thinking about it, a sturdy wooden lid is a must if you happen to use your TRELINO as a step when getting something off the roof.
NOTE: At the time of writing, there is a new product in the final throes of development which is even more suitable for 4×4 drivers. Downsized, it will be lighter and more likely to fit into the confines of the vehicle. Watch this space for updates and a full detailed review in the near future.
CUSTOM-MADE
There are times when off-the-shelf products just don’t cut it. Well, TRELINO have gone the extra mile and provide the most important components individually.
If you have limited space or need something to fit seamlessly into your self-built interior, then a short talk with TRELINO’s staff will help you establish what you need. They won’t build it for you, but If you’ve gone to the lengths to create the rest, then building your own custom-made compost toilet won’t be a problem because the complex components and accessories are, indeed, off the shelf.
FUNCTION
The components and functionality of all the different models are essentially identical. If composting toilets are new to you, the principles are simple:
- The separator divides liquids, which travel through a syphon and silicon membrane into a canister, and solids which fall into a bucket lined with a plastic bag.
- The silicon membrane allows liquids to flow down into the canister and prevents spillage if you’re travelling on a bumpy road or off pavement. The urine canister has a solid screw-on lid for when you need to carry it and empty it down a toilet, for example. If you decide to empty a full canister of urine into the wild, consider tipping at least the same amount of water on top because otherwise the concentrated nitrogen content will do more damage than good.
- The bucket for solids is lined with a plastic bag. Before use, it’s advisable to put in a couple of handfuls of sawdust or a similar drying agent. After use, another couple of handfuls of drying agent are strewn on top to speed up the drying process which is vital to minimise any unpleasant smells. When the bag is full, it can be tied and deposited in a residual garbage container.
AVAILABILITY
TRELINO distributes their products across most of Europe; in the US they have their own distribution infrastructure, and they will gladly ship to anywhere else in the world.
If you’re interested in learning more, visit the TRELINO website or, if you’re in Stuttgart between the 13th and 21st of January, 2024, then go and say hi in hall 7, booth no. 7A63 at the CMT exhibition.
FROM €299 | TRELINO
