Transcript Dispose of Waste Properly

Dispose of Waste Properly
Leave No Trace Trainer Certification
Tripp Clark  October 2011
Goals
• Understand and Discuss
– Pack it in, pack it out.
– Catholes
– Pack out toilet paper, medical wastes
and hygiene products.
– Proper washing methods for self and
dishes
How long will it last?
• Paper
– Two to four weeks
• Banana Peel
– Three to five weeks
• Wool cap
– One year
• Cigarette butt
– Two to five years
• Plastic drink bottle or
milk jug
– 20 to 30 years
• Rubber boot sole
– 50 to 80 years
• Tin can
– 80 to 100 years
• Aluminum can
– 200 to 400 years
• Plastic six-pack holder
– 450 years
• Glass bottles
– Thousands or millions
of years
Pack it in, pack it out
• Reduce packaging materials (Plan Ahead and
Prepare)
– Reduces trash & saves weight and bulk
• Never bury food scraps
• Carry a trash bag for your trash and trash that
you find left by others
• Pack out even natural food waste
Four Goals Concerning
Human Waste Disposal
• Minimize the chances of water pollution
• Minimize the chances that other people,
animals or insects could come into
contact with the waste and then
potentially spread disease
• Minimize any aesthetic issues associated
with human waste
• Maximize the decomposition rate
Know Your Group
• Think carefully about the maturity of your
group when considering how you will dispose
of human waste. With young children and
novices, you will need to be extremely diligent
about instruction and compliance, and you
may want to camp near toilet facilities,
trashcans and potable water initially.
Catholes
• In most areas, catholes are an acceptable
option for human waste disposal.
• Catholes should be 6-8 inches deep and
located 200 feet (80 adult paces) from any
campsite, water source, or drainages.
• Instruct your group thoroughly on the
appropriate use of catholes and carry trowels
for digging.
– “Cathole Kit”
Trench Latrine
• Sometimes a trench latrine may be preferred over a
cathole, such as when camping with young children
or if staying in one camp for longer than a few nights.
• Since this higher concentration of feces will
decompose very slowly, location is especially
important.
• Deposit feces in one end of the trench and lengthen
the other end as needed.
• Speed decomposition and diminish odors is to toss in
a handful of duff after each use.
Bucket Method
• Simplified method to Pack it Out
• Often used on extended boating
excursions
• Bucket lined with several plastic bags
• Bags are tied off after each use
Toilet Paper
• Use toilet paper sparingly and use only
plain, white, non-perfumed
• Toilet paper must be disposed of properly
– thoroughly buried in a cathole
– placed in plastic bags and packed out
• best way to practice Leave No Trace
• Never burn toilet paper because of the
danger of starting a wildfire.
• medical wastes and hygiene products
must always be packed out
Urine
• Urine has little direct effect on vegetation or soil.
• Urine may draw wildlife that are attracted to the
salts; wildlife may defoliate plants and dig up soil.
• Because urine has an objectionable odor, be sure to
urinate at least 200 feet from a campsite or trail.
• Urinating on rocks, pine needles, and gravel is less
likely to attract wildlife.
• Diluting urine with water from a water bottle also
can help minimize negative effects.
Washing Methods
• Strain dishwater to remove food scraps, pack these
out with the rest of your trash.
• Strained dishwater can be scattered well away from
camp.
• Use methods that avoid dirty dishes
• Wash dishes or bathe more than 200 feet from water
sources and minimize use of soap.
• Inspect your campsite and lunch areas carefully for
trash or food scraps before moving on.
Activity
• Let’s dig a cathole