A Quick History of Portable Toilets

Whether you’ve been to a festival, wedding or otherwise, portable toilets have become an invaluable part of outdoor activities and events.

Prior to portable toilets, the public were accustomed to using an outhouse or simply finding an appropriate tree or bush! Portable toilets have made the convenience of indoor plumbing accessible outdoors, and the portable toilet that we know today was introduced less than 60 years ago!

The first portable toilets were nothing like they are now. They were very simple structures made with heavy plastic walls, a wooden or metal floor and a plastic version of an indoor toilet inside. These portable toilets were very small and were quickly renowned for being unsanitary and having very bad odours.

Opposing this, modern portable toilets are very lightweight and are easy to move from one site to another. There are also multiple styles and sizes to choose from and can include wheelchair access. Another advantage to the modern portable toilet is the hygiene levels; a working flush, hand sanitiser, toilet roll, and holder have made them more sanitary and ideal for use.

Contemporary portable toilets also include a unique mix of chemicals that ensure bad odours are kept to a minimum and surfaces are sanitised, this is often released when the toilet is flushed.

Toilets in general have come a huge way since they were merely a hole in the ground. Portable toilets were created to offer a private and clean option for the disposal of human waste in areas where plumbing is not necessary. It’s no secret that portable toilets are not as sanitary as indoor plumbing, but they do provide the design and technology that offers comfort and privacy when we need it most.

If you have an event coming up and are in need of portable toilets to hire, Bates Environmental can help. Whatever your event, we can organise a tailor-made package to suit your needs, whether you’re looking for urinal blocks, shower units, disabled toilets or portable toilets that are pink and blue!

For more information about how we can help you, don’t hesitate to contact the Bates Environmental team by visiting our contact page or by giving us a call on 0800 043 37 11.