Kaloola is a startup from South Africa pioneering sustainable urban sanitation through waterless and chemical-free technology. Aiming to build a comprehensive and environmentally friendly sanitation system, Kaloola has developed a decentralized toilet model that can be flexibly installed in urban areas lacking infrastructure or basic public services. Their technological solution is particularly well-suited for residential areas in eThekwini, where traditional sewage infrastructure is often inaccessible due to high construction costs and limited space.
At the core of Kaloola‘s technology is a dry-flush mechanism, operating as a closed-loop system: waste is safely sealed on-site, then collected, transported, and treated centrally to produce organic fertilizer or biogas. This forms part of the circular economy model the startup pursues—where waste is no longer an environmental problem but a reusable resource. Unlike conventional sewage systems that require significant investment in infrastructure, Kaloola‘s solution conserves water, reduces emissions, and shortens implementation time in rapidly developing urban areas.
A standout aspect of Kaloola‘s development journey is its strategic partnership with BORDA, a German research and development organization with over 3,000 waste treatment systems implemented in 25 countries. BORDA not only provides support for end-of-line waste treatment technology but also contributes to the development of local legal frameworks, helping ensure Kaloola‘s model complies with South African sanitation, safety, and environmental standards. This technical and professional backing lays the groundwork for Kaloola’s solution to be scaled across other regions—not only in South Africa but in other developing countries as well.
Beyond technical innovation, Kaloola places strong emphasis on social aspects, particularly gender equality and user safety. Their product design incorporates features such as privacy, accessibility, and safety for women and children. This not only enhances the user experience but also increases community acceptance of the new sanitation model.
Participation in the P4G Summit 2025 in Vietnam marked a significant step forward in Kaloola‘s journey toward international expansion. At this event, the startup not only showcased its product in the startup exhibition area but also connected with investors, technical partners, and government organizations interested in sustainable sanitation solutions. It represented a valuable opportunity to expand their model to Asian countries, where environmental sanitation challenges are similarly pressing.
When examining the current urban sanitation market, most solutions rely on centralized systems that demand expensive sewage infrastructure and high water usage. In contrast, Kaloola offers a different path—decentralized, easy to deploy, cost-effective, and capable of generating economic value through waste reuse. While several other companies are also developing dry-flush technologies or portable toilets, few integrate all three critical dimensions as successfully as Kaloola: environmental sustainability, economic efficiency, and social suitability.
With a decentralized approach, waterless technology, affordable implementation, and the potential to generate economically valuable byproducts, Kaloola is proving that sustainable urban sanitation is entirely feasible—even in areas with limited infrastructure. This startup is regarded as a pioneering model that integrates technology, environmental sustainability, and social development in emerging economies.
