Thetford Breaks Down the Truth About RV Toilet Systems

With more eco-conscious and off-grid travellers on the road, the demand for alternative RV toilet systems is rising.

But with so many options—including incinerating toilets, cassette toilets, separation toilets, and bag welding toilets—how do they really compare in terms of hygiene, comfort, sustainability, and waste disposal flexibility?

As the market leader in RV sanitation, Thetford is setting the record straight, releasing an in-depth comparison of these systems while confirming the launch of its own separation toilets and kits in late 2025.

RV Toilet Showdown – Which One is Right for You?

🚽 Incinerating Toilets

✔️ Hygiene: Almost no waste left, just a small amount of ash.
✔️ Comfort: Feels like a household toilet, but has long wait times (70 mins per cycle).
✔️ Discharge Flexibility: Ash can go in general waste, but gases released are not harmless.
❌ Sustainability: High energy consumption, CO2 emissions, and expensive to operate.

🚽 Cassette Toilets

✔️ Hygiene: Waste is stored in a sealed tank, with additives for odour control.
✔️ Comfort: Compact, easy to use, and widely available in RVs.
✔️ Discharge Flexibility: Can be emptied at campsites, disposal points, or household toilets.
✔️ Sustainability: Uses only 5% of household toilet water, making it efficient & low impact.

🚽 Separation Toilets

✔️ Hygiene: Requires careful liquid-solid separation to avoid severe odours.
✔️ Comfort: No water or additives needed, but requires frequent emptying.
✔️ Discharge Flexibility: Liquids can go into toilets, but solids must go in general waste.
❌ Sustainability: Plastic bag use is high, and composting isn’t a real option for RVers.

🚽 Bag Welding Toilets

✔️ Hygiene: Waste sealed in a heat-resistant plastic bag after every use.
✔️ Comfort: Feels like a regular toilet, simple to use.
✔️ Discharge Flexibility: Sealed bags go into residual waste bins, but rules may tighten.
❌ Sustainability: 300+ plastic bags per month for a couple—high waste & cost.

What’s the Verdict?

📢 According to Thetford, cassette toilets remain the most practical solution for most RV owners. They combine:

✅ High comfort & hygiene
✅ Flexible disposal options (campgrounds, household toilets, septic-safe additives)
✅ Low environmental impact compared to other options

While incinerating, separation, and bag welding toilets may appeal to niche users, they come with major trade-offs in energy use, cost, and waste disposal limitations.

📅 What’s Next?

Thetford will introduce its own separation toilets and kits in late 2025, catering to the small but growing segment of off-grid travellers looking for alternative solutions.

🔎 Want to dive deeper into RV sanitation solutions?
Visit www.thetford.com for more insights and product details.