It seems like common sense, right? If you bring it out in nature, then you should take it back with you. Well sadly too many people don’t see it this way and leave their trash and other things behind. We have all heard the saying “to leave it better than you found it.” So why is it so hard for people to do this simple act? I would say a big part is laziness or lack of care, but I also think educating one why this is so important will help as well. Today we will dive into what you need to do and why it is important. Remember wildlife and plants around us are counting on us to keep their homes clean. Would you like it if I showed up and just left my trash at your house all over the place. I assume not so think the same thing here.
Leave No Trace Principle
Pack it in, pack it out falls under the LNT principle of “dispose of waste properly.” This rule doesn’t just apply to normal trash but also dishwater and human waste.
Trash: Plain and simple if you carried it in you take it back out. That includes but not limited to water bottles, food wrappers, food scrapes, clothing, medicine, first aid items, safety supplies, etc.
Greywater: For dishes first, you need to strain out any food particles and you will pack those out. DO NOT just dump them on the ground. Once you just have soiled water find a sunny place, if possible, at least 200 feet from water sources or campsite and spread out the water. This will help with minimum impact and for it to dry out quicker.
Human/Pet Waste: Depending on where you are you may be required to use a WAG bag and fully carry out everything. If that is not required, then you need to make sure to dig a hole before you do the poo so you can cover it up. Remember you must carry out your toilet paper or wipes. DO NOT bury them. Have an extra baggie so you can put soiled pieces in their own bag. As a reminder make sure you are 200 feet from any water source, campsite, or trail. Don’t forget this also means to poo from your pets. There isn’t a poo fairy coming to pick it up for you.
How Long Does It Stay Around
You might be shocked how long items take to decompose, if they do at all, when left out in nature. Let’s take a look at a few different item types.
Banana or Orange Peel: Up to 2 years
Cigarette Butts: 1-5 years
Food Wrappers and Plastic-Coated Paper: 5 years
Tin Cans: 50 years
Aluminum Cans: 80-100 years
Disposable Diapers: 450 years
Glass Bottles: 1 million years
Plastic Bottles: it varies as studies can’t give an exact timeframe due to many conditions.
Styrofoam: it varies as studies can’t give an exact timeframe due to many conditions, but it starts to crumble into smaller pieces which make it even harder to clean up later and some say it neve decomposes.
It really boils down to respecting nature and those that live in it (animals and plants) and those that visit it (us). It is not hard to do. It is a simple task and one that can make a huge impact. You can even take it to the next level by picking up trash you see, that isn’t yours, while you are out on the trail. Mother Nature is always watching, and she will take you for these small acts of kindness.
Want to learn more about being out on the trail? That’s where I come in. Let me help you understand the ins and outs of getting out on the trail in nature. I want to take all the knowledge and experiences I have had and share them with you so you can hit the trail with more confidence. Ready for whatever comes around the next turn. I would be honored to be your Trail Coach. We can go anywhere from city parks to state parks to national parks to blm land to national forests and everywhere in between. If there is some amazing nature to be seen, we can do it together one adventure at a time.
Get my Trail Checklist now to make sure you are prepared to head outdoors. This list is a great starting point and has my top items for both hiking and trail running.
Follow me on Instagram at @fabandfitwithrj for more education, motivation, and inspiration.
Until the next trail…
Coach RJ
References:
Leave No Trace. (n.d.). Principle 3: Dispose of Waste Properly. https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/dispose-of-waste-properly/
Leave No Trace. (2018, January 21). https://lnt.org/skills-series-trash-timeline/. https://lnt.org/skills-series-trash-timeline/
Photo Credit:
Photo by Marwin Hernando Tavera Vera: https://www.pexels.com/photo/horse-with-bag-19747171/
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