The Many Faces of SOIL
SOIL does a lot.
But what exactly do we do, day in and day out? For the past 18 years, SOIL has been evolving, adapting, and growing as an organization in Cap-Haitien. Since our inception, we’ve explored different composting toilet technologies, restructured our business strategy to include a revenue-generating social enterprise, and continuously conducted research to refine the science behind what we do. And while it may seem like we have our hands in a little bit of everything, our approach to safe sanitation is based on three key initiatives. Let’s break it down.
EkoLakay. EkoMobil. EkoMache.
These three branches of SOIL tackle different challenges, but they’re all rooted in one core mission: providing container-based sanitation for people living in urban areas and informal settlements in Haiti.
Household Sanitation – EkoLakay
First we have SOIL’s flagship sanitation service - EkoLakay. Today there are over 3,200 household clients who pay a monthly fee to have their toilets serviced weekly. The EkoLakay household service gives families the dignity of an in-home toilet. This service is more than just convenient—it’s crucial. By providing access to safe and clean sanitation, EkoLakay helps improve health outcomes, protects the safety of women and girls, and preserves the dignity of individuals. At present, EkoLakay generates a modest monthly revenue that helps offset the costs of running the service.
Mobile Toilets – EkoMobil
This year, EkoMobil , our eco-entrepreneurial portable toilet business, has been busier than ever, with the number of EkoMobil rentals doubling and continuing to grow! The revenue generated from event contracts is reinvested into the business and, with scale, EkoMobil could help subsidize the EkoLakay household service. Over the summer, EkoMobil was used at events like the Haiti Sailing Cup, gatherings and parties hosted by Sakapfet Okap, and even events for other non-profits like Hopeful Heart 4 Haiti. Not only are our porta potties more ecologically friendly because they use dry-composting toilet technology, they also smell better and are more pleasant to use! Whether it's for construction sites, sporting events, or community activities, EkoMobil has become a go-to porta potty solution in Cap-Haitien.
Public Toilets – EkoMache
Our EkoMache public toilets are right in the heart of the bustling central market of Cap-Haitien. These toilets are a lifeline for thousands of people who visit and work at the market, ensuring that sanitation is available in one of the city’s busiest hubs. A SOIL toilet attendant monitors the facilities, collects a small fee from users, and ensures cleanliness and upkeep. We estimate that over 50,000 people use these toilets annually.
All Roads Lead to KonposLakay
No matter which sanitation initiative you look at—household sanitation, portable toilets, or public sanitation—they all share one important outcome: they help transform waste into KonposLakay, our nutrient-rich organic compost.
At SOIL’s composting facility, the waste collected from EkoLakay, EkoMobil, and EkoMache is carefully processed over several months, lab-tested for safety, and transformed into a valuable resource for Haiti’s soil. This compost is in high demand, and for good reason. It’s the final piece of our ecological sanitation solution, turning waste into something that helps restore and nurture the environment.
At SOIL, we believe that true sustainability means managing the entire sanitation chain. From the moment waste is collected to its transformation into nutrient-rich compost, every step we take contributes to a healthier, more sustainable future for Haiti. EkoLakay, EkoMobil, and EkoMache are our three distinct climate-positive approaches to tackling the sanitation crisis—and we hope that this has helped you learn a little bit more about each one.