Portable Toilet Rental Market Summary
The global portable toilet rental market was estimated at USD 20.71 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 34.86 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 7.7% from 2024 to 2030. Rise in the demand for cost-effective and low-maintenance portable toilets on account of rapid urbanization and expanding construction sector in developing regions, such as the Asia Pacific, will boost the market growth.
Key Market Trends & Insights
- Asia Pacific was the largest market in 2021, holding a 44.9% share.
- North America is expected to be the fastest-growing regional market, witnessing a CAGR of 7.6% from 2022 to 2030.
- By product, standard portable toilet rentals dominated the market with a 70.5% share in 2021.
- By application, special events are projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.3% over the forecast period.
Market Size & Forecast
- 2023 Market Size: USD 20.71 Billion
- 2030 Projected Market Size: USD 34.86 Billion
- CAGR (2024-2030): 7.7%
- Asia Pacific: Largest market in 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic positively impacted the growth of the market. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the full effects of cabin fever begin to set in, and camping helped in shaping the perfect antidote. According to Dan Yates, the founder of Pitchup.com, an outdoor accommodation booking website that offers placement at over three thousand campgrounds across five continents, bookings were up by 350% in June 2020, as compared to May 2020.
Rising consumer preference for outdoor recreational activities, such as camping, hiking, sports tournaments, and special events such as weddings, concerts, and festivals, is likely to contribute to market growth over the forecast period. In addition, strict regulations and heavy investments by governments around the world to provide proper sanitation units are boosting the demand for portable restrooms in public places such as parks, malls, and streets.
Additionally, there is a significant rise in the construction of residential and social infrastructure which is projected to propel the demand for portable toilet rental services in the foreseeable future. According to World Bank, the global infrastructure investment needs to reach USD 94 trillion by 2040 to keep pace with profound economic and demographic changes across the globe.
However, there can also be instances where the installation of portable toilets is subject to permission from the concerned municipality or city authorities. The permission is granted based on the extent of hygiene that is maintained in and around the portable toilet units, which requires the rental companies to invest significantly in cleaning services. This, in turn, results in a surge in units’ rental fees, which also depends on the number of people a unit has to accommodate.
Furthermore, technological innovation is opening up new avenues for growth in the market. Incorporation of technologies such as 5G, machine learning, cloud services, artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT), robotics, and green technologies in sanitation products and services is likely to give the market a major boost.
Product Insights
In terms of revenue, standard portable toilet rental dominated the market with a share of 70.5% in 2021. A standard portable toilet features a basic toilet and a holding tank, while some models also comprise separate male urinals. The rising awareness of sanitation and hygiene, improving standards of living, and the increasing demand from the rapidly growing construction industry are the major factors driving this segment’s growth.
Luxury portable toilet rental is projected to register a CAGR of 8.6% from 2022 to 2030. The increasing number of government regulations regarding the installation of efficient toilets and the rising expenditure on tourism & travel are creating significant growth opportunities for contractors of luxury portable toilets. However, the high costs and lack of awareness of these toilets, along with the presence of cost-effective rental portable toilet types, are limiting this segment’s growth.
Application Insights
In terms of revenue, construction application dominated the market with a share of 58.86% in 2021. The increasing number of residential, hotel and social infrastructural projects will propel the demand for portable toilets in the upcoming years. On construction sites, workers are more productive when they use clean and conveniently located portable toilets, and, thus, can spend more time on the construction project.
Special events portable toilet application is projected to register a CAGR of 9.3% from 2022 to 2030. The increasing popularity of public gatherings at outdoor exhibitions, events, and festivals is driving the demand for gravity-based portable toilet rental services among the organizers. According to a report from billboard.com, around 52% of the U.S. population attended at least one outdoor music event or concert in 2019.
Technology Insights
In terms of revenue, gravity based technology dominated the market with a share of 45.8% in 2021. Governments of different countries are implementing various initiatives to reduce open defecation and maintain a hygienic environment, which is projected to increase the spending on gravity-based portable toilets in public places and parks. These initiatives will boost the demand for gravity-based portable toilets in the near future.
Vacuum technology is estimated to grow with a CAGR of 8.4% over the forecast period. The demand for portable toilets with vacuum technology is driven by the growing consumer awareness of water conservation. Vacuum toilets use less water as compared to a gravity-based portable toilet, as the technology is based on flush toilets that use suction for removing wastage resulting in a minimal requirement utilization of water; this, in turn, is one of the main attributes of the growing demand for vacuum-based portable toilets.
Regional Insights
The Asia Pacific dominated the market with a share of 44.9% in 2021. This is attributable to the high inflow of tourists that has led to a growth in the accommodation industry, thereby boosting the application of portable toilets by hotels and public authorities. These toilets offer adequate restroom facilities under diverse circumstances. As per UNWTO/GTERC Asia Tourism Trends: 2018, international tourist arrivals in the Asia Pacific grew by 6% in 2017, reaching 323 million.
North America is expected to witness a CAGR of 7.6% from 2022 to 2030. The growth of the North America market for portable toilet rental can be attributed to public gatherings at outdoor exhibitions and concerts. Most event organizers prefer portable toilets to offer sanitary facilities to their audiences. According to SeatGeek, a major online ticket search engine, Los Vegas is known for its concert residencies, with 59 concerts per 100 thousand residents.
Key Companies & Market Share Insights
The portable toilet rental market is characterized by the presence of a few established players and new entrants. Many big players are increasing their focus on the growing trend of portable toilet rental. Players in the market are diversifying the service offering in order to maintain market share. Some of the key players operating in the global portable toilet rental market include:
Sanitech
Satellite Industries, Inc.
ADCO Group
B&B Portable Toilets
PolyJohn Enterprises Corporation
United Site Services Inc.
Biffs, Inc.
Halco Portables
Handi-Can Portable Toilets
West Coast Disposal Ltd.