Composting Toilets at Chata pod Rysmi Chalet May Be Working in June

High Tatras, March 15 (TASR) - New composting toilets at Chata pod Rysmi chalet in the High Tatra mountains could be in operation in June, Hikemates tourist club head Patrik Pajta stated during an inspection of the structure in Humenne (Presov region), adding that the construction work is being timed so that all the work is completed before the start of the main tourist season. The pilot project for composting toilets, initiated by the Hikemates hiking club, is a response to the problem of pollution in the mountains. According to Pajta, the project has already obtained almost all the necessary permits, with only the approval of the lease agreement by the Agriculture Ministry still lacking. "After obtaining this permission, we can apply for a building permit, which is issued by the town of Vysoke Tatry (Presov region), and then start the actual construction work," he added. The toilets will be adapted to the design of Chata pod Rysmi chalet and at the same time resistant to extreme weather conditions. "We chose a steel structure and a special shape that minimises the accumulation of snow," noted Pajta. The structure itself weighs approximately 6 tonnes, and the basic structure weighing 1.2 tonnes has already been carried up to the hut by volunteers. The remaining components, including insulation and cladding materials, will be transported by helicopter. "Some elements weigh more than 200 kilograms, so it's not realistic to carry them up manually," he added. According to architect Martin Kvitkovsky, the structure is robust enough for a high mountain environment. "In these extreme conditions, huge demands are placed on the load to resist strong winds and large amounts of snow. The structure is designed to withstand these challenging conditions and at the same time be resistant to vandalism," he added. The club was inspired by foreign experience, as similar toilets are common in national parks across Europe, including in the Alps and Dolomites. The project is being funded by membership fees from Hikemates, which has more than 3,000 members, as well as contributions from commercial partners. The total cost amounts to approximately €100,000. am/df/lin