Container-based sanitation GUIDELINES AND BEST PRACTICES

The guidelines establish standards for container-based sanitation (CBS), a system where toilets collect excreta in sealable containers for transport to treatment facilities. It defines a service chain comprising customer relations, design and operations (containment, collection, and transfer), and the commercialisation of reuse products. The document outlines 'Safe Minimum Standards' and 'Aspirational Standards' across the sanitation chain, including toilet design (in-home vs. standalone), servicing frequency (typically 2-3 times per week), container cleaning, and waste beneficiation into products like animal protein, biochar, and liquid fertiliser. It emphasizes the importance of user engagement, occupational health and safety (OHS) for workers, and the integration of CBS into broader waste management and urban planning, particularly for informal settlements where sewer infrastructure is not feasible.

• Container-based sanitation (CBS) is formally recognised as "improved sanitation" and household-level models as "safely managed" by the UN's Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) as of 2019, particularly for informal settlements where sewered systems are impractical.
• The CBS service chain is divided into three operational areas: customer relations (marketing and installation), design and operations (containment, collection, and transfer), and the commercialisation of reuse products.
• Safe minimum standards for containment require toilets to be leak-proof, easy to clean, and resistant to daily use and frequent emptying. Aspirational standards suggest a co-creation process with users to determine preferences regarding sitting versus squatting, anal cleansing methods, and seat size.
• Servicing guidelines recommend that containers be emptied two to three times per week to maintain functionality and minimize odors, supported by Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and the use of QR codes or GPS tracking for monitoring.
• Waste treatment can range from safe disposal in covered trenches to the production of high-value by-products, including animal protein via Black Soldier Fly larvae, biochar through pyrolysis, fuel briquettes, biogas, and liquid fertiliser from urine.
• Workforce safety must be managed through the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE)—including PVC gloves, gumboots, aprons, and masks—alongside vaccinations, deworming, and strict safety protocols for waste processing and emergency spillages.

APA

GreenCape (n.d.). Container-based sanitation GUIDELINES AND BEST PRACTICES. https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Container-based-sanitation-guidelines-and-best-practices.pdf

Chicago

GreenCape. Container-based sanitation GUIDELINES AND BEST PRACTICES. n.d. https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Container-based-sanitation-guidelines-and-best-practices.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=GreenCape |title=Container-based sanitation GUIDELINES AND BEST PRACTICES |url=https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Container-based-sanitation-guidelines-and-best-practices.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{greencapendcontainerbased, author = {{GreenCape}}, title = {{Container-based sanitation GUIDELINES AND BEST PRACTICES}}, institution = {GreenCape}, url = {https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Container-based-sanitation-guidelines-and-best-practices.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }