The Challenge of Sanitation on Remote Worksites
From roading projects and forestry crews to mining operations and construction sites, one of the biggest logistical challenges on off-grid or remote sites is sanitation. Crews need a hygienic, low-maintenance toilet solution that doesn’t rely on plumbing or regular waste servicing. Traditionally, this has meant hiring a chemical portaloo — but these come with transport costs, disposal costs, hygiene risks, and operational headaches.
Dry Flush offers a modern, waterless, self-sealing toilet system that is transforming how companies manage sanitation on remote and industrial sites. Let’s look at how it compares to the alternatives.
| Type | Description | Advantages | Challenges |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Portaloos | Standard portable units with chemical holding tanks, serviced weekly or fortnightly | Widely available, familiar, short-term solution | Ongoing hire & service costs, odours, chemical waste, transport dependency and disposal. |
| Composting Toilets | Break down waste biologically over months, separating solids and liquids | Eco-friendly, water-saving | Require ongoing maintenance, ventilation, regular emptying, limited to 1 person crews |
| Incinerator Toilets | Burn waste to ash using electricity or LPG | Minimal waste output, odour-free | Expensive ($8,000+), high energy use, servicing & safety requirements |
| Dry Flush Toilets | Waterless, self-sealing bagging system | Odour-free, portable, hygienic, no plumbing, minimal servicing | Bag cartridge cost ($1–$3/use), requires charging every few months |
Dry Flush: The Portable, Waterless Toilet for Worksites
The Laveo Dry Flush Toilet, distributed in New Zealand by Dry Flush NZ, delivers a clean, modern solution for off-grid and industrial use. Instead of using chemicals or water, each flush seals waste instantly in an airtight Mylar bag. The entire cartridge can later be disposed of safely in standard waste bins.
Key Specifications & Performance
- RRP: $2,899 (currently on sale for $2,299 NZD)
- Operating cost: Approx. $1 per use with Dry Flush refill cartridges & Pee Powder. $3 per flush for solid waste
- Battery life: Up to 3 months or 300 flushes per charge; 2-hour recharge time
- Capacity: 15–17 flushes per cartridge before swap-out
- Durability: Commercial-grade; used on construction sites, commercial boats, trains, and mining operations in the USA, Australia and New Zealand.
- Warranty: 2-year manufacturer warranty
| Supplier | Type | Cost (Weekly/Monthly) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pink Bins | Standard portaloo | ~$55.50 + GST per week + other charges | Minimum 3-week hire |
| Auckland Loos | Construction portaloo | $160 + GST/month + other charges | Fortnightly cleaning included |
| Orange Loos | Flushing unit | $320 + GST/week + other charges | Includes servicing |
| Bathrooms for Hire | Toilet + shower unit | $335 + GST/week + other charges | Requires delivery & plumbing |
Real-World Use Cases
Dry Flush toilets are trusted by crews across New Zealand and Australia for their simplicity, durability, and independence from water or plumbing.
Examples include:
- BHP mining operations (Australia)
- Commercial boats and marine projects (NZ)
- Construction and roading teams (NZ & AUS)
- Government infrastructure projects (Australia)
Why Crews Prefer Dry Flush
- No chemicals or cleaning required
- No waste handling or pump-out logistics
- No need to transport water or tanks
- Can be set up anywhere — roadside, forestry track, or vehicle tray
- Waste is sealed, odour-free, and safe for disposal
| Feature | Dry Flush | Portaloo |
|---|---|---|
| Water Required | None | Yes (chemically treated) |
| Servicing Required | Replace bag cartridge | Weekly pump-out |
| Odour Control | Excellent | Poor–Moderate |
| Setup Time | <5 minutes | Requires delivery / truck |
| Mobility | Highly portable | Bulky |
| Power Use | Small rechargeable battery | None |
| Hygiene & Safety | Sealed waste, no contact | Chemical exposure |
| Long-Term Cost | Predictable | High OPEX |
Check out this video!
Deployment & Mobility
Dry Flush units can be installed virtually anywhere:
- Back of a ute or van
- Inside portable shelters, pop-up tents, behind a tree or site containers.
- At roadside sites or forestry tracks
- For mobile field crews or shift workers
Because they require no water, drainage, or chemical service, they can move with your team. For projects that relocate frequently, this mobility delivers huge time and cost savings.
Environmental & Health Advantages
- No contamination risk: Waste is sealed airtight in multi-layer film; no leaching or chemical discharge.
- No odour: Each flush isolates waste completely, even in high temperatures.
- Improved worker welfare: Crews get a clean, hygienic, modern toilet experience without the “portaloo smell.”
- Fewer contractor dependencies: No third-party trucks or chemical supply needed.
| Option | Upfront Cost | Annual Service/Consumables | Total Year 1 Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hire Portaloo | None | ~$4,000–5,000 | $4,000–5,000 | Requires weekly service, transport fees |
| Dry Flush | $2,299 | ~$1–3 per use (~$1,000/yr) |
~$3,299 total | No cleaning, no servicing, fully portable |
Scenario: 12-month roading project, one crew toilet.
When factoring the reduction in service time, waste handling, and hygiene risks, Dry Flush often becomes the lowest total cost of ownership — especially on remote or mobile sites. It creates flexibility and independence for small and medium sized work crews.
Simple, Clean, Independent Sanitation for Worksites
Traditional portaloo hire has served NZ worksites for decades, but modern crews need faster, safer, and more hygienic solutions. The Dry Flush system offers:
- Full portability — no trucks, hoses, or water tanks
- Clean, odour-free operation
- Predictable cost per use
- Easy disposal and zero maintenance
It’s a durable, no-fuss solution for small or large teams working anywhere in New Zealand.
Want to know more?
Learn more or request a quote by calling 0800 124 227 or emailing james@dryflush.co.nz
Why DryFlush is the Best Portable Toilet in Australia
Features
- No Chemicals or Water Required
- Simple and Easy To Use
- Odor-Free Waste Disposal
- Environmentally Friendly
- Compact and Lightweight Design
- Long-Lasting Battery Life
- Cost-Effective And Efficient
- Ideal for Off-Grid Living, Camping, and More!
- 7-day money-back guarantee
- 2-year Warranty (extended 5-yr warranty available)
How are DryFlush Portable Toilets A Better Alternative for Incinerator Toilets?
Chemical-Free
Odour-Free
Simplified Sanitation
Waste Control
Benefits of Using a Dry Flush Portable Toilet
Convenience
Simplicity
Mobility
How Dry Flush Works
This incredible toilet works via a patented process that uses an electric motor, two fans, a proprietary mylar bagging system, and a healthy dose of physics and engineering.
Concealed under the toilet seat is a bagging cartridge that contains a single mylar bag that is more than 5 meters long. When the toilet is “flushed”, the toilet twists the bagging material from under the seat tightly around the waste, sealing in the smell, before pulling down a fresh section of the bag ready for its next use.
• There are no liquids (or chemicals sloshing around).
• There are no dumping stations to find or gag-inducing emptying sessions to be done.
• There is no lingering smell because your waste is tightly wrapped and sealed each time you flush.
You simply push the button, and seconds later you’re done with your waste, never to be seen or smelled again, all without any wiring, plumbing, water, or ongoing maintenance.