GottaGo from Joolco: the Swiss Army Knife of Camp Toilets

One thing I never thought I’d say? I’m intrigued by a portable toilet.

But there it is. I give a crap. The Australian company Joolco has released a new portable toilet called the GottaGo that can be used in three ways: as a chemical, bag, or composting toilet. (Note that the composting and chemical options require choosing a different cassette when you buy the toilet.)

Unlike chemical or bag toilets, GottaGo separates urine and solid waste by splitting the bowl into two compartments. This separation offers several advantages over toilets that mix the two.

You can use the toilet longer, without filling it up. This is because you are able to empty the urine container separately from the poop container, and can typically empty it in the backcountry. (Make sure to follow the rules on waste disposal and follow Leave No Trace best practices, which include emptying urine at least 200 feet from any water source or camp.)

Also, a good part of the unpleasant smell from portable toilets has to do with the mixing of the urine and poop. So keeping them separate helps to reduce odor.

The GottaGo it allows you to use it as a composting toilet by removing the cassette adding wood chips to the solids holding tanks. Composting toilets separate solids from liquids to maintain optimal moisture levels, control odors, reduce overall waste volume, and allow for better nutrient management, ensuring efficient composting.

This separation also facilitates easier maintenance and improves hygiene. If you often camp where there are no dump stations, this could be the best option.

If you decide to use it as a chemical toilet, you would add a bit of water and chemicals to the holding tank and empty it as usual in a toilet or RV dump station.

You can also use the GottaGo with a bag like you might a typically bucket-style camp toilet. To dispose of waste captured in a bag, check local regulations.

As I’m writing this, the GottaGo runs around $250, which seems like a good price for a toilet this versatile, particularly considering some composting toilets are quite a bit more expensive.