Going Separate Ways: The Smarter, Cleaner Thetford Eco Separation Toilet

If you spend time on the road, you have probably noticed the growing buzz around alternative toilet systems. Separation toilets are popping up everywhere online, at camper shows, and in vanlife conversations. Now, Thetford is officially joining the movement with its brand new Separation Toilet (S Series) and Separation Kit (SK Series).

Designed for motorhome and campervan users who want more choice without sacrificing comfort or hygiene, these new products combine fresh thinking with the proven reliability Thetford is known for.

The Highlights in Plain English

Here is what you need to know:

• Two new products, the Separation Toilet and Separation Kit
• Built on Thetford’s trusted C220 and C260 cassette toilets
• Created in response to real demand from touring and vanlife communities
• Focused on hygiene, comfort, and easy emptying
• Designed by a team with over 100 years of combined experience
  

Why Separation Toilets Are Having a Moment

More and more travellers are looking for alternatives to traditional cassette toilets. Separation toilets have become especially popular among off grid campers and eco minded travellers, and they have been getting a lot of attention at events like Caravan Salon, Düsseldorf.

That said, many early options on the market have not always delivered on comfort or reliability. Leaks, awkward designs, and poor hygiene have put some people off. Thetford spotted this gap and set out to do things properly.

What Travellers Actually Want

To make sure they got it right, Thetford commissioned independent research in 2024. The results were reassuringly straightforward:

• People are open to changing their toilet setup
• Environmental benefits and easier emptying matter
• But hygiene and convenience matter most

In other words, eco friendly is great, but only if the system is clean, practical, and easy to live with. That insight shaped every part of the S and SK series.

Built by People Who Really Know Toilets

Behind the scenes, Thetford brought together experts from across the business, including engineering, product design, chemistry, and quality control. Together, they have spent over a century working on sanitation products.

Early research showed that many separation toilets did not work well for everyone, especially women, and that urine tanks were often the weak point. These issues became top priorities during development.

Tested, Tweaked, and Tested Again

From early 2024 onwards, Thetford built and refined multiple prototypes. Along the way, they added:

• A leak proof urine tank valve
• A redesigned bowl that works comfortably for both men and women
• A blade system that discreetly covers solid waste
• Durable parts made partly from recycled plastic

The first working models appeared at Caravan Salon, Düsseldorf in August 2024, followed by months of real world testing in camper setups. Every detail was fine tuned to be hygienic, reliable, and easy to clean, while still fitting neatly into existing C220 and C260 spaces.

An optional active vent was added, and by May 2025, production was up and running.

The Right Consumables Make All the Difference

To keep everything working smoothly, Thetford also developed a range of consumables specifically for separation toilets:

• Urine Tank Fresh, which keeps smells and scale under control
• Bowl Cleaner, quick, easy, and no fuss
• Drying Agent, made from biodegradable wood fibre to absorb moisture
• Waste Bags, strong, recycled bags for clean and simple disposal

They are all designed to work seamlessly with the new system.

More Choice, Same Thetford Reliability

With the launch of the S and SK series, Thetford is giving travellers more freedom to choose what works best for their lifestyle. Whether you stick with a cassette toilet, prefer something portable, or want to go separate, the goal is the same, making life on the road more comfortable and hassle free.

The new Thetford Separation Toilet and Separation Kit are now available, built for people who love travelling just as much as you do.