Can You Make Money with Waste Removal and Portable Toilets?

Living in a big city means endless opportunities for everyone. It is possible to earn money here from almost anything, even from something as basic as sanitation – quite literally. While it may not be a topic often discussed, the lack of public restrooms is a significant issue in many metropolises. It comes as no surprise considering that restrooms are used by everyone, young and old. Therefore, the high cost of renting space is not a major obstacle to starting a business with a network of portable toilets – all expenses will be more than covered in the end.

Andrey Nelyubin – The Trailblazer of the Portable Toilet Business

As an example, we can look at the successful endeavors of Moscow businessman Andrey Nelyubin. In the early 90s, the situation with public toilets in the Russian capital was nearing a crisis point. In response, local authorities decided to purchase a test batch of plastic porta-potties. Without much hesitation, Andrey rented a hundred of these cabins for a modest sum by today's standards – $2000. Initially, the business did not perform well as people were not accustomed to such a service (especially one they had to pay for). However, over time, the situation began to change. Eventually, each cabin started generating around $200-300 of net profit per month! It’s easy to calculate the total income from all 100 plastic toilets.

Where to Begin?

Perhaps the above-described method of running a business, particularly renting toilet cabins from the city, is the simplest and yet a guaranteed working option. However, the prospects may not be as bright. Firstly, many individuals prefer using more comfortable facilities like those in cafes or fast-food establishments over these less appealing porta-potties. Secondly, authorities in major cities are increasingly cracking down on what they call "small architectural forms" that spoil the urban landscape. So, the future of plastic street toilets is uncertain.

But don't lose hope! There are many places and events where portable plastic cabins will remain indispensable for a long time, such as:

• Construction sites;
• Open sports arenas;
• Gas stations and other rural sites with high visitor traffic;
• Mass events – concerts and festivals.

The last option – hosting events – can be the most lucrative, especially when it comes to food or beer festivals. However, organizing such an event is not easy; you'll need dozens or even hundreds of plastic cabins. Storing such a large quantity of toilets isn't practical, and renting and delivering them would require substantial resources.

We won't delve into the specific earnings and expenses of the "toilet" business since rental conditions for cabins vary greatly across different cities. If you decide to buy them, the cost can also vary significantly depending on the modifications. Moreover, much depends on the rental rate for the space under the cabin, the daily number of visitors, and the price you set. Just remember to consider all these factors when drafting a business plan.

Trash Removal

Dealing with trash removal is somewhat simpler in some ways. All you need to start is a suitable transport vehicle and a couple of containers. The cost of an old ZIL truck would be around $3000, two containers – another $600. Also, allocate at least $600 for the driver and dispatcher's wages, one of whom could be the budding entrepreneur.

Operating such small companies has its pros and cons. On one hand, by operating under the wing of a larger firm, you may not even need to legally register. Additionally, the expenses for maintaining a single vehicle will be relatively low (assuming it's in decent technical condition), meaning the profit can be substantial.

However, on the flip side, small companies find it challenging to obtain the necessary licenses and pass certified vehicle inspections. This is why many small entrepreneurs operate, as mentioned earlier, under the umbrella of larger entities.

Also, remember to budget for advertising, at least $100 monthly. Nothing fancy is needed, but having your business cards and a few ads in newspapers wouldn't hurt. Additionally, keep in mind that dumping one container at a landfill also comes at a cost – on average $1.5-2, depending on the region.

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