CleanWaste

What CleanWaste does

CleanWaste (legally Phillips Environmental, Inc. dba Cleanwaste, and American Innotek Inc. dba Cleanwaste) is a privately held, U.S.-based manufacturer of portable bathroom solutions founded in 1999 and headquartered in Oceanside, California. The company's core technology is a NASA-developed super-absorbent polymer gelling agent (branded "Poo Powder") that encapsulates and deodorizes liquid and solid human waste. This chemistry underpins the Original WAG Bag waste-aggregation kit, the no-frills Toilet in a Bag, a patent-pending Cassette Waste Bag for RV/cassette toilets, and a portfolio of complementary products including the GO Anywhere Portable Toilet folding frame, multiple privacy shelters (PQ500, InstaPrivy, GO Anywhere Privacy Shelter/PUP), commode systems (Bucket Commode, InstaPrivy Toilet Chair), and specialty healthcare waste bags (Sani-Bag+, Nausea-Bag).

The company sells directly to consumers via its cleanwaste.com e-commerce storefront and through third-party retailers including REI, Cabelas, and Bass Pro Shops, with parallel Amazon Marketplace availability and military/government procurement via National Stock Numbers (NSNs). Pricing is one-time/transact per SKU, with the flagship Original WAG Bag 12-pack at $31.19 (about $2.60/unit), the GO Anywhere Portable Toilet at $89.99, and the GO Anywhere Total System kit at $299.99. Customer segments span outdoor recreation (backpackers, hikers, hunters, festival-goers, van lifers), U.S. military branches, FEMA disaster response, and healthcare/home-health settings, with a stated cumulative volume of over 16 million units sold since 1999 and over 10 million field deployments by military and FEMA. The company is operated without disclosed external funding under two related legal entities, with Mike Hetherington as Co-Founder, President & CEO and Mike Groff as Co-Founder & Plastics Consultant.

Name

CleanWaste

Legal name

Phillips Environmental, Inc.

Website

https://cleanwaste.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CleanWaste manufactures portable bathroom solutions — chiefly its NASA-derived Poo Powder waste-gelling WAG Bags plus folding toilets and privacy shelters — serving U.S. military, FEMA, outdoor enthusiasts, and healthcare buyers via direct e-commerce, Amazon, and major outdoor retailers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Portable Sanitation Equipment

NAICS

Soap, Cleaning Compound, and Toilet Preparation Manufacturing (3256)

SIC

Specialty Cleaning, Polishing And Sanitation Preparations (2842)

akta.pro primary industry

Mops, Buckets & Floor Cleaning Systems (CRAJAIAB)

Keywords

• Portable sanitation products
• Waste containment systems
• Portable toilet kits
• Field waste management
• Outdoor bathroom solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Belgrade

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct E-commerce Sales: Products sold directly to consumers through cleanwaste.com. One-time product purchases with no subscription component. Multiple product tiers from individual waste bags to complete toilet systems.
2. Retail Distribution: Products sold through outdoor recreation retail partners including REI, Cabelas, and Bass Pro Shops. Wholesale model to retailers who then sell to end consumers.
3. Amazon Marketplace Sales: Products available through Amazon marketplace, providing third-party sales channel with fulfillment handled separately.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CleanWaste designs, manufactures, and sells portable bathroom and human waste containment systems, anchored by its proprietary NASA-derived super-absorbent Poo Powder gelling technology. The portfolio spans single-use waste aggregation (WAG) bags, folding portable toilets, privacy shelters, commode systems, and specialty healthcare waste bags, sold as individual units, refill treatments, or bundled kits.

Product overview

CleanWaste offers a portfolio of portable bathroom solutions centered on waste aggregation and gelling (WAG) technology. The core product line includes The Original WAG BAG® waste kits with NASA-developed Poo Powder gelling agent, paired with the GO Anywhere Portable Toilet® folding toilet and GO Anywhere Privacy Shelter. These components can be purchased individually or bundled in the GO Anywhere Total System. Additional products include lightweight Toilet in a Bag® for minimalist users, privacy shelters (PQ500, InstaPrivy Shelter), commode systems (Bucket Commode, InstaPrivy Toilet Chair), and specialty waste bags for healthcare and urine collection (Sani-Bag+, Nausea-Bag, Go with the Flow). Accessories include Poo Powder® Waste Treatment refills, carrying backpacks, and toilet seat covers. The company serves outdoor enthusiasts, military, healthcare, disaster preparedness, festival-goers, and van lifers through both direct-to-consumer e-commerce and retail partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Original WAG BAG Flagship waste aggregation and gelling bag kit pre-loaded with NASA-developed Poo Powder gelling agent, including inner waste bag, puncture-resistant zip-close disposal bag, toilet paper, and hand wipe. Each kit gels up to 32 oz of waste and holds 40% more than competing products. For backpackers, campers, military, and emergency responders needing Leave No Trace-compliant disposal.
• GO Anywhere Portable Toilet Lightweight 7-pound folding portable toilet that unfolds to a 14-inch seat height (same as standard toilet), supports up to 500 lbs, folds to briefcase size, and pairs with GO Anywhere Toilet Kits for waste containment. Approved on dozens of rivers across North America.
• GO Anywhere Total System Complete portable bathroom system bundling the GO Anywhere Portable Toilet, GO Anywhere Privacy Shelter, 15 GO Anywhere Toilet Kits, large transport bag, and backpack. Total weight 18 lbs; carries Military NSN designation.
• Toilet in a Bag No-frills waste bag pre-loaded with Poo Powder for gelling and deodorizing waste. Available in 15-count and 30-count sizes; each treatment gels 24 oz of waste and is disposed of in normal trash. Targeted at minimalist users.
• GO Anywhere Privacy Shelter (PUP) Portable privacy shelter with 4'x4' floorless base, 6'6" height, quick-deploy snap poles, 3 screened windows, sealable upper-access flap, and nylon mesh storage pockets. Weighs 7 lbs; carries Military NSN designation. Available in Camo or Gray.
• Gray Privacy Shelter PQ500 Privacy shelter for job sites, 4'x4'x6.5' dimensions, fire retardant (meets CPAI-84 standards), water repellant, non-conductive, includes stakes, tie-down rope, zippers, and carrying case. Weighs 8 lbs.
• InstaPrivy Shelter (IPTENT21) Instant-deploy privacy shelter with no zippers or poles that sets up in seconds, with breathable mesh top for ventilation and water-resistant durable fabric. Weighs 2 lbs. Suitable for festivals, camping, and hunting.
• InstaPrivy Toilet Chair (IPCHAIR21) Portable toilet chair that sets up in seconds, collapses to 14"x14"x3" dimensions, expands to 13.75" height, holds up to 250 lbs, weighs 1.6 lbs. OD Green color.
• CW00 Bucket Commode Sturdy field toilet with full-size flexible toilet seat, gamma-lid for storage/transport, 16" height matching standard toilet for comfort, withstands 300 lbs for 10 hours, weighs 5 lbs.
• Poo Powder Waste Treatment Proprietary waste treatment powder that gels and solidifies waste. Each scoop handles 21 oz of liquid waste and contains natural enzymes to break down solid waste. Available in Mini (55 scoops), Large (120 scoops), and 5 Gallon sizes.
• The Original Cassette Waste Bag Patent-pending bag for cassette toilet emptying with super-absorbing polymer gelling agent. Attaches to discharge tube, 6-gallon capacity (24"x34" with 8" neck), provides no-see, no-touch, no-splash disposal experience.
• CW1 Go with the Flow Urine-only disposal bag with wide semi-rigid rim opening for men and women, one-way valve that prevents spills, and waste-activated gelling with polymers and enzymes. Absorbs 20 oz of urine. Available in 3-pack and 36-pack.
• Green Mountain Bag Environmentally-focused waste bag with compostable inner bag, otherwise functioning like the Original WAG BAG with Poo Powder gelling agent. 2-year shelf life due to compostable materials. Available in 12-pack and 50-pack.
• CW2 Wag Bag Platinum Premium triple-barrier waste bag with enhanced odor-proof and puncture-proof protection. Gel-activated technology breaks down waste to simplest composition. Includes toilet paper and antimicrobial wipes; unisex design. Available in 10-pack, 50-pack, 100-pack.
• Sani-Bag+ Healthcare-grade waste bag for medical settings, available with or without Microban antimicrobial protection. Price per unit $1.80 with 10-pack options. Targeted at home health care and patient bathroom solutions.
• Nausea-Bag Specialized healthcare waste bag for nausea-related waste disposal in medical settings. Available with Microban antimicrobial protection (H8002 variant). Pricing from $10.39.
• GO Anywhere Backpack Carrying backpack for portable toilet system components, made of 600 denier nylon PVC-lined fabric, 30"x14"x8" dimensions when loaded, 2 lbs total weight, with convertible straps for backpack or shoulder bag use.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 16 million units sold since 1999
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• REIcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorREI carries Cleanwaste products in stores and online, making products available to REI's customer base of outdoor enthusiasts.
• CabelascoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCabelas retail stores and e-commerce platform distribute Cleanwaste products to hunting, fishing, and camping customers.
• Bass Pro ShopscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBass Pro Shops carries Cleanwaste products across retail locations and online, serving outdoor recreation customers.
• Crohn's & Colitis FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCleanwaste supports the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, providing products for individuals with digestive health conditions who need accessible bathroom solutions.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Cleanwasteoutdoor
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cleanwaste
• Instagraminstagram.com/cleanwasteoutdoor
• Xx.com/Cleanwaste1

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CleanWaste