How to Dispose of Human Waste

Spaced holes minimize ecological impact.

When hiking or camping in the great outdoors, it sometimes becomes necessary to relieve yourself in the absence of bathroom facilities. When this happens, properly disposing of your waste is important for your health and the health of the environment. The procedure for safe disposal is simple, and essential for a conscientious and responsible enjoyment of nature.

Things You'll Need

• A small shovel or digging implement

Instructions

Dispose of Human Waste in Nature.

1. Walk 70-80 paces (200 ft) away from any flowing or standing water and away from the trail/campsite.

2. Josh Peterson, writing for PlanetGreen.com, suggests selecting a patch of level, rich soil, and with your implement, dig a hole 6-8 inches deep and 4-6 inches wide.

3. Neatly fill the hole with waste product.

4. Cover the hole with a layer of soil and lightly tamp down.

Tips & Warnings

• Never use the same location twice. If camping in one location for a prolonged period of time, space your holes apart from each other to minimize your ecological footprint.

• Never dispose of human waste near or uphill from a water supply. Waste could seep into the water and grievously sicken you or others.

References

• Planet Green Waste Disposal Instructions

Resources

• Leave No Trace