In a momentous step towards improving sanitation in Cape Town’s informal settlements, the Water and Sanitation Directorate successfully rolled out a groundbreaking sanitation pilot project in collaboration with the Water Research Commission (WRC) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF). As a leading provider of high-quality new and used shipping containers, Big Box Containers supplied Ablution units fitted with high-tech Clear Recirculation toilet systems, connected by Enviro Loo. This project is set to revolutionise sanitation in the city’s underserved communities.
At the handover ceremony, Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Water and Sanitation, praised the installation as a significant achievement for both the City of Cape Town and the residents of Nyakathisa in Macassar and Masincedane in Strandfontein. He noted that this new sanitation innovation raises the bar for dignified sanitation services in informal settlements, providing the community with modern and sustainable solutions.
The Clear Enviro Loo systems are packed with advanced features designed to address the unique challenges of informal settlements. Each system includes a full flush toilet, hand washing basin, and sanitary bins for safe disposal of sanitary towels. The toilets are also equipped with larger, disabled-friendly fittings and wheelchair ramps, ensuring accessibility for all members of the community.
What sets these systems apart is their environmental sustainability. Completely off the grid, they are powered by a combination of wind and solar energy, and feature a closed-loop, on-site treatment plant that uses a membrane biological reactor and ozone disinfection to treat wastewater. The treated water is then recycled for flushing the toilets, eliminating the need for a bulk sewer connection—making the systems an ideal solution for areas with limited infrastructure.
The success of this pilot project is expected to inform the installation of similar systems at three more informal settlement sites in the coming months—7de Laan in Strandfontein, OR Tambo in Khayelitsha, and Rasta Camp in Ocean View. Councillor Badroodien also highlighted the potential for scaling this solution to benefit more of Cape Town’s 526 informal settlements in the future.
“The outcomes of this project will have far-reaching effects and could ultimately lead to the widespread roll-out of these high-tech sanitation systems across Cape Town’s informal settlements,” concluded Councillor Badroodien.
Big Box Containers’ contribution to this landmark initiative underscores their role as a pioneer in providing sustainable, innovative sanitation solutions, improving the lives of residents across the city.
Contact Big Box Containers online or call us on 0861 44 74 74 for a quotation or to find out more about our container solutions.
