Porta Potty Alternatives for Remote Job Sites

Every workplace needs toilets. Most workplaces have the convenience of bathrooms right in their office buildings. But industries that operate in remote environments, like oil and gas, need portable restrooms that can relocate to new job sites.

Porta potties are the traditional choice. However, there are situations where investing in a more durable (and less odorous) option can improve morale and lower employee turnover. We’ll explore a few more pleasant porta potty alternatives for your workforce, plus important factors to consider for each.

Solar Powered Portable Toilets

A solar-powered portable toilet looks similar to a traditional porta potty, but it utilizes solar panels on the roof for a completely different experience. The solar energy conversion powers amenities you won’t find in a simple porta potty, like lighting and active ventilation. The distributed solar power gives users lighting, freshly ventilated air, and, in some cases, running water.

These toilets are easily portable and are sometimes mounted to small trailers. However, they require a good deal of maintenance. A technician will need to clean the solar panels regularly and monitor the battery’s health to ensure it remains in good condition.

If maintenance is lacking or the solar energy distribution isn’t working, these toilets become a glorified porta potty. The waste collection tank is similarly located beneath the toilet seat or bowl. 

Restroom Trailers

Restroom trailers are growing in popularity as a portable toilet solution. They’re constructed on a trailer chassis for easy transportation. The size of the trailer can vary, from a compact 8-foot trailer to a sprawling 28-foot trailer with multiple stalls. They’re powered via an electrical grid, generator, or solar panels.

Similar to an RV, these portable toilet options are equipped with storage tanks to collect wastewater. Onboard freshwater tanks or hose hookups provide water for flushing and handwashing. 

While the portable nature of restroom trailers is appealing, not all of these trailers will thrive on a remote job site. They’re popular as an upscale alternative to porta potties at weddings and outdoor gatherings. So, the interiors of restroom trailers are not designed for the abrasive traffic of industrial workers.

Constant transportation to remote areas can also wear down the trailer and structure. Since these restrooms are on a trailer, that also disqualifies them from being used in offshore locations. 

Shipping Container Bathrooms

Modified shipping container bathrooms are quickly growing as a preferred choice for remote job site comfort areas, and with good reason. At Falcon Structures, we transform these containers into transportable, fully functioning bathrooms. They include multiple stalls and urinals, running water, and an air conditioning/HVAC system with supplemental active ventilation. For ultimate employee comfort, we’ve even created floor plans for locker room shipping containers, complete with changing areas, showers, sinks, and toilets.

Such comfort is important for any job site. Employees can feel confident in having a private place to refresh, and in a much sturdier structure than a rickety porta potty rental. Plus, our shipping containers create added use of something that already exists, making them environmentally friendly – something that’s top of mind for many stakeholders of late.

Shipping container bathrooms are transportable via forklift and trailer. The inherent, durable design of shipping containers lends itself to rugged environments. We’ve created bathroom floor plans that make the interiors equally durable, with slip-resistant floors, easy-to-clean walls, and optional draining floors.

Site prep for a shipping container bathroom is straightforward, requiring level ground and onsite holding tanks or sewer tanks if no sewer line is available. The plumbing is nestled beneath the floor and bottom of the container, keeping it insulated during potential cold weather. 

Of all the alternatives to porta potties for remote job sites, we think a well-modified shipping container bathroom is the most comfortable, durable, and efficient choice. We might be biased, but we've also manufactured enough container restrooms for happy customers to know the benefits they bring to employers and employees alike. 

Offering workers on remote job sites a comfortable bathroom environment improves morale and employee retention. While there are alternatives to the traditional porta potty, it’s important to consider some important factors. Think about:

• The size of your workforce
• The duration of the project
• The location and climate
• The comfort and hygiene needs of your workers

With these considerations in mind, we hope you’re able to make a decision that balances cost, efficiency, and employee comfort. If you have any questions about portable bathroom options in the form of modified shipping containers, reach out to our team at 877-704-0177 or email us at Sales@FalconStructures.com.