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Abstract
Portable sanitation provides millions of people with a necessary service each day. The companies that deliver the service
must dispose of the waste collected in a cost-effective and environmentally sound manner, yet the options for doing this are
shrinking and costs are rising. In the summer of 2019 the Portable Sanitation Association International (PSAI) undertook an
industry-wide study to learn whether, and to what extent, reductions in waste disposal are affecting the industry. The survey
produced five major findings: (1) Most portable sanitation companies are reliant upon publicly-owned treatment works
(POTWs) for waste disposal, something that is problematic given the capacity issues of these plants. (2) The cost to dispose
of waste varies widely and it is rising overall, often at rates that exceed inflation. (3) Lack of access to disposal sites costs time
and money, significantly increasing overall disposal expenses. (4) Disposal options are shrinking for many portable restroom
operators. (5) Operators view the lack of treatment facilities, the cost of treatment, and the distance they must travel to a site
as having the greatest impact on their company's operations and profitability. We propose a series of action steps aimed at
assisting industry members in addressing these challenges over the next 3-5 year.
