Clivus Multrum™ Technology

Principle system design

Clivus Multrum™ is a split, waterless composting system: a conventional-looking pedestal drops down a straight chute into an underfloor composting chamber. Inside, aerobic biology steadily transforms paper and solids over a long retention time, reducing volume and producing a soil-like material. Continuous ventiliation draws room air through the pedestal and out the vent stack, maintaining aeration in the chamber and a fresh bathroom environment.

Clivus Multrum™ system are available in two system types: batching and continuous.

Batching systems are ideal for homes, baches, and light commercial use. The standard kit includes your choice of pedestal and two composting chambers used in rotation — one in service while the other matures. The chambers include a mixing mechanism to keep the compost aerated, encourage bacterial decomposition, and increase practical capacity. 

Continuous systems suit families, commercial sites and councils seeking low-maintenance performance under higher or more variable use. Your pedestal connects to a large, continuously fed chamber below, delivering a conventional, elegant bathroom experience with a discreet, long-retention composting process.

Advanced features

Clivus Multrum™’s split-system design unites a comprehensive suite of advanced features with proven engineering, making it the clear leader in split-system composting.

The batching systems feature a dual-wall thermal brake, insulating compost from the cold and retaining heat.

Continuous systems feature a high efficiency liquid management structure in the base and a rigid non-compression tank profile.

Advanced air entry ventilation system maximizes air throughput within the compost pile.

Continuous ventilation by design keeps a gentle negative pressure through the system with a low-watt fan, supporting the biology and a clean, conventional bathroom experience.

Wind-driven vent cowls provide passive aeration, back-draft prevention, and redundancy — included with some configurations and available as an option on others.

Moisture management drains excess liquid away from the active layer while retaining enough for decomposition, maintaining an aerobic, porous bed.

Optional zero-discharge kits create a closed-loop, zero-leachate pathway by capturing liquid and re-applying it to the pile for evaporation/absorption within the chamber — no discharge to land — while maintaining aerobic conditions.

Fully certified to AS/NZS 1546.2:2008, with historical council approvals throughout New Zealand.

Where can you go with a Clivus Multrum™?

Residential & lifestyle — Clivus Multrum™ systems are ideally suited to homes, baches, and cabins, giving you a conventional bathroom experience with a discreet, underfloor composting process. They provide reliable, waterless performance with low continuous power draw, making them a strong choice for off-grid or water-limited properties. Maintenance is infrequent thanks to long retention time, and optional zero-discharge kits enable closed-loop operation on sensitive sites.

Commercial, public & tourism — A robust choice for eco-operations, hiking treks, lodges, event venues, local council and DOC facilities seeking reliable, eco-conscious sanitation. Continuous aeration supports consistent performance across variable use patterns; service access suits scheduled maintenance; and flexible discharge options — including zero-leachate closed-loop designs — help projects meet environmental and consent expectations in protected or high-sensitivity environments.

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