Cape Town Completes Pilot Testing 'Off-Grid' Shipping Container Toilets

The City of Cape Town has completed its pilot testing of high-tech shipping container toilets, finishing the rollout with a new facility at the Rasta Camp informal settlement in Ocean View. 

Marking the final milestone of a five-site trial, the project—developed alongside the Water Research Commission and the Gates Foundation—uses refurbished shipping containers converted into self-sustaining, full-flush toilets designed for areas where building traditional sewer lines is too difficult. 

What makes these off-grid toilets unique is that they run entirely without municipal water or sewer pipes: powered by solar and wind energy, an on-site treatment system cleans the used wastewater so it can be safely reused to flush the toilets again and again. 

At Rasta Camp, three converted container toilets replaced 42 portable flush toilets, offering 15 cubicles equipped with washbasins, sanitary bins, and wheelchair ramps. Local janitors and a technical assistant manage daily upkeep, with technical support from project partner WEC. 

According to a City media release, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien, hailed the milestone as a major step forward for informal settlement services. With all five pilot sites now open, the City will study the results to see if these container toilets can be rolled out to more informal settlements across the city.