Portable Sanitation 101
Portable sanitation is a global industry that impacts billions of people each year. It offers business and employment opportunities while providing essential solutions for users that help keep the world cleaner and healthier. But despite the industry’s prevalence and importance, there are many people — particularly users from the general public — who don’t understand and appreciate how vital portable sanitation is.
At PSAI, one of our goals is to make people more aware of the portable sanitation industry and the positive impact it has on the world. One example of this is our video 5 Things You Never Knew About Portable Sanitation, which you can view below.
Scope of the Portable Sanitation Industry
The portable sanitation industry is a huge one with a presence around the world. Check out these industry facts:
- The portable sanitation industry posts approximately $1.9 billion per year in gross revenue globally
- Worldwide, an estimated 3.6 million portable restrooms are in use, serviced by a fleet of over 10,000 trucks
- The industry includes more than 3,600 businesses and 39,000 employees worldwide focused exclusively or primarily on portable sanitation
- In the United States, about 1,200 businesses are primarily focused on portable sanitation. As many as 9,100 include portable sanitation within their business offerings
Top Uses for Portable Restrooms
Portable restrooms are used by a variety of industries and rented on both short-term and long-term contracts, depending on the specific industry and need. Here are some of the top uses for portable restrooms:
- Construction & work sites – Commercial, industrial, and residential
- Agriculture – Fields and temporary labor camps
- Recreation – Parks, campgrounds, pools, private homes, and cabins
- Government agencies – Military facilities, airports, and schools
- Sporting events – Stadiums, auto races, golf tournaments, and ballgames
- Outdoor public gatherings – Concerts, festivals, fairs, and weddings
- Primitive locations – Permanent human settlement areas where plumbing isn’t available
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Don't miss out on great member benefits!History of the Portable Sanitation Industry
Portable restrooms have been used since the 1940s during the height of World War II, with the earliest units being made of wood and metal. They were needed to provide sanitation to meet the needs of rapidly constructed military bases, industrial operations that were booming and similar locations associated with the rapid movement of people into areas where the infrastructure was inadequate.
The post-war building boom and the growing expectations of a traveling public provided the tailwind for industry growth over the next 20 years. By the late 1960s, the portable sanitation industry was well established. Equipment had evolved and people had come to expect better sanitation options wherever they went.
The PSAI was formed in the United States in the early 1970s to serve the common interests of the growing portable sanitation industry and standardize services and communication. By the early 1990s, after many years of invention, innovation and perfection, portable restrooms were more commonplace than ever and the marketplace began introducing new offerings such as flushing units, restroom trailers, VIP units and portable water systems.
Today, portable sanitation is recognized as an integral part of society in many parts of the world. Construction sites, parks, residential home building and special event venues all are expected, and now legislated, to have portable restrooms. The PSAI’s growth has been steady and strong and includes international membership spanning six continents.
To learn more about the history of the portable sanitation industry and the PSAI’s role, read PSAI Through The Decades: Celebrating Our History.
