I Didn't Know That! Leave No Trace Principle #3 - Dispose of Waste Properly

We all know what to do when "nature calls" when we're at home, but what about when we are outdoors? Getting the call on a camping trip or hike can create some uncertainty and the potential for significant impacts to the ecosystem we are visiting if we aren’t careful.

Did You Know?

Disposing of waste properly is one of the 7 Leave No Trace Principles. These Principles empower you to leave nature as unchanged by your presence as possible. It’s a way of protecting the natural world and yourself and to preserve our outdoor spaces for the enjoyment of generations to come.

How to Go to the Bathroom Outdoors

Going to the bathroom outdoors does not have to be scary and can be easily managed with these tips.

Some remote campsites offer composting toilets. These offer not only relief, but also, in some cases, an amazing view—like this toilet in North Cascades National Park.

Photo courtesy of Alisa Royem

Research the place you are visiting

Many developed campgrounds, visitor centers, and trailheads will have bathroom facilities and knowing where these are is an important step in trip planning. In addition to knowing what facilities are available, it is good practice to learn human waste disposal practices if you are going on a longer trip or plan to visit the backcountry or wilderness since these can vary depending on the location.

Build a poop kit

Having a poop kit in your backpack or vehicle will ensure you are set up for any situation. A poop kit should include:

• hand sanitizer,
• toilet paper,
• a bag to pack out that toilet paper,
• a trowel (for when catholes are best practices), and
• a WAG bag (for when packing it out is the best practice).

What's a WAG bag?

A WAG (Waste Alleviation & Gelling) bag is basically a toilet in a bag. It's a way of collecting human waste in order to pack it out with you. WAG bags generally contain a waste bag with a NASA-developed powder that gells and deodorizes waste, an outer zip close disposal bag, hand sanitizer, and some toilet paper.

WAG bags can be purchased at most outdoors stores and are sometimes provided in areas where their use is required. Check in with park rangers ahead of your trip to see if you need a WAG bag and if they are available.

Watch this Leave No Trace video on when and how to use a WAG bag.

Your poop kit should contain hand sanitizer, a trowel, a bag to pack your toilet paper and other hygiene products out, toilet paper, and a WAG bag—just in case!

Photo courtesy of Leave No Trace

Learn the cathole method

The cathole method is a common practice for disposing of human waste. To dig a cathole, take your poop kit and walk 200 feet or 70 large steps away from trails, campsites, and any water source such as a lake or stream. This will isolate your waste from social impacts and prevent water contamination. Next, use your trowel to dig a six to eight inch hole. Do your business in the hole and bury the waste, covering it completely and packing out any toilet paper with you.

By learning how to use a WAG bag, you'll be prepared when coming upon the dreaded "no toilet facilities ahead" sign.

NPS Photo

Learn the WAG bag method

WAG bags are a common human waste disposal method when a hole cannot or should not be dug. When waste will not decompose properly if buried or there are too many visitors to make catholes viable. For this method you will go to the bathroom in the WAG bag you have in your poop kit and pack it and any toilet paper used out with you. Depending on where you are, the WAG bag will then be disposed of in a designated receptacle or a trash can.

A self-contained toilet, or "groover," is often required on river trips where getting 200ft from a water source is difficult or impossible. Take some advice from river rangers in Canyonlands National Park and find a flat spot with a view that's downwind of your camp.

NPS / Cody Allinson

Why Does This Matter?

You may be thinking, animals poop in the woods and leave it, why can't I? When not disposed of properly our human waste (and our pet's waste) can contaminate water, spread disease, and impact the trips for those who come after us. With so many people visiting out outdoor areas, it is critical that we make researching how will we go to the bathroom a part of planning for any trip. Build a poop kit and learn these techniques. Learn more about the third Leave No Trace Principle, Dispose of Waste Properly.

Pass It On!

Did you learn something new? Pass it on! Protecting our ecosystems is a job for us all, but there’s no way for everyone to be an expert in everything. That’s why sharing knowledge is so important!

Download or screenshot this card to share with a friend or help spread the word and encourage others to Leave No Trace by disposing of waste properly. Make poo not taboo and teach others how to go to the bathroom outdoors. Thank you for helping protect our natural spaces for generations to come.

Check out other I Didn’t Know That! Topics.

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I Didn't Know That! (with Leave No Trace) Principle 3: Dispose of Waste Properly

• Nature's calling, now what?! Going to the bathroom outdoors doesn't have to be scary! Be prepared with these tips:
  • Know before you need to go! Do your research! What facilities are available? What's the preferred method of disposing of waste? 
  • Build a poop kit with hand sanitizer, toilet paper, bag for packing toilet paper & hygiene products out, & a trowel or WAG bag.
  • WAG Bag Method - use a WAG bag and pack it out.
  • Cathole Method - Dig a 6-8 inch deep cathole, 200 feet from water sampsites or trails. Pack out toilet paper & other hygiene products.
• go.nps.gov/idkt

In Collaboration with Leave No Trace

This article is part of the I Didn't Know That!: Leave No Trace series and was developed in collaboration with Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. 

Leave No Trace 7 Principles © 1999 by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics