When nature calls: Why outdoor toileting could change

When nature calls: Why outdoor toileting could change

Burying trash may no longer be the most sustainable way to go to the bathroom outdoors, according to a new study

The number of people using public lands in the United States has been steadily increasing for years. The pandemic accelerated the trend as lockdown-weary Americans flocked outdoors in record numbers. The increase in visitors led to several parks and attractions implementing reservation systems to address the unsustainable increase in visitor numbers.

From 2019 to 2021, a study found that there was an increase of 8.1 million hikers and 7.9 million campers in the United States. In 2021, the National Park System (NPS) announced that 44 U.S. national parks had set new records for recreational visitation that year. Numbers across the NPS are expected to rise even further in 2022 as international visitors return. The United Kingdom has also encountered similar problems in its national parks and natural sites after record years.

alt="Hikers at Angels Landing">ApinBen4289/ShutterstockTrails are getting busier

Of course, the increase in hikers and campers has led to people going to the bathroom outdoors. So land managers and scientists are debating whether it's time to change the way we poop in the forest.

What's wrong with the old way?

For generations, outdoor enthusiasts have been taught to follow the advice of the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics and bury their waste in holes (known as catholes) about 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 inches) deep and about 70 paces from any water sources.

They claim this is the best way to prevent water pollution, minimize the spread of disease, reduce the chance of someone else finding it, and speed up the rate of decomposition. Books have even been written on the subject.

However, catholes are not particularly good at breaking down human feces. No matter how deeply the feces are buried or what type of soil they are buried in, high concentrations of pathogens can remain in the soil for over a year. Unlike animal waste, human waste (due to our modern diet and use of medications) can contain all sorts of parasites, diseases and bacteria such as E.coli and Salmonella, as well as heavy metals, all of which can easily contaminate waterways and ecosystems.

Predrag Milosavljevic/ShutterstockOutdoor toileting could soon change

Lara Jacobs, a doctoral candidate in forest ecosystems and society at Oregon State University, argues that most people don't know that cathol use can harm watersheds, soils and animals - including humans.

“We were taught for years to just dig a hole and bury feces,” Jacobs says. "However, this is contrary to the scientific literature, which shows that bacteria survive in large quantities across seasons and the depth of burial does not seem to matter. The best course of action is not to bury your feces unless you plan to put in a lot of work to fully compost it with soil. Outdoor recreationists should pack out their feces whenever possible."

There are several reports and accounts that support Jacob's claims. A study of the San Juan River, which flows through Colorado, New Mexico and Utah and is popular with river runners, found that levels of E. coli specifically linked to human feces were nearly 12 times higher than normal.

Brenda Landdeck/ShutterstockThe San Juan River in New Mexico

A study of 55 California beaches published in 2007 found that 91% of the beaches were contaminated with "fecal indicator bacteria." Another report in Alabama and Rhode Island also found that several beaches carried fecal indicator organisms and pathogens. Additionally, beachgoers who played in the sand were more likely to suffer from gastrointestinal illnesses than those who reported no sand contact.

With the unstoppable increase in outdoor recreational athletes, there is an argument that catholes simply won't cut it in the future.

Enter the WAG bag

Waste Prevention and Gelling Bags (WAG) are puncture-resistant, double-layer bags that are designed with a NASA-developed solidifying agent (sometimes known as “poo powder”) to conceal and contain odors within the bag. Traditionally they were used with camping toilets, but can easily be placed open on the ground and used by squatting over them. The waste is then double bagged, sealed inside and discharged.

WAG bags were originally designed for use in sensitive ecosystems such as deserts and rocky environments where human waste is not easily biodegradable, or in river corridors where there is a risk of contaminating water sources. However, they are becoming more widespread as several public lands have already implemented WAG bag systems to encourage visitors to carry their waste out of the park or off the mountain or trail.

corlaffra/ShutterstockCathols do not work in deserts or rocky environments

Visitors to Bears Ears National Monument in Utah can now pick up free WAG bags at the visitor center. Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado also offers WAG bags from “Poop Bag Dispensers” at its permit office and at trailheads throughout the park.

Likewise, overnight campers at the Guadalupe Peak Wilderness Campground in Texas are required to carry at least one WAG bag per person per day for the duration of their trip. In addition, the camper must prove that he has the required number of bags before the permit is issued. Finally, California's Mount Whitney has required hikers to use WAG bags since 2006 and reports that trail users pack up to 3,600 kg (8,000 lb) of human waste per year.

It appears that WAG bags are becoming common practice for environments heavily impacted by human traffic. And as visitor numbers on public lands increase, there will be more and more of these high-use, high-traffic areas in need of a sustainable sanitation solution. So don't be surprised if you see more outdoor areas instructing visitors to use WAG bags and take out their trash.

David Cuhney/ShutterstockMount Whitney has required WAG bags since 2006

From a personal perspective, I have no problem with disposing of my own trash and would encourage others to do the same. However, I wonder how long it will take for people to comply. That said, when I was growing up, no one cleaned up after their dog. Nowadays, the use of dog poop bags has effectively become a part of dog ownership culture. It is encouraging to see how the majority of people have changed their behavior.

It's also worth noting that while WAG bags currently claim to be "landfill approved," unlike dog poop bags, they do not appear to be biodegradable or fully compostable. The words are noticeably missing from online sellers here, here and here. I was able to confirm that the bags are made from a “proprietary blend of polymers and natural starches.” The starch is supposedly added to make them break down faster in landfill conditions.

However, most polymers are not biodegradable. This means that microorganisms cannot break them down, so if disposed of improperly they can cause waste problems and can last for many years in landfills.

I wonder if WAG bags solve a problem by reinforcing an existing one? As the use of WAG bags becomes more common, it is hoped that biodegradable and compostable options would naturally and quickly become the market standard.

How to go to the toilet outdoors

Traditional method

The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics currently advises that, aside from sensitive ecosystems such as deserts or river corridors, the best practice for outdoor toileting is to bury waste in a cat hole.

WAG bag method

WAG bags usually contain toilet paper, hand sanitizer and a double-layered bag with chemical crystals that make human waste inert and minimize odor. The idea is to empty directly into the inner bag and then seal it in the outer bag.

Pro tip: Reviewers have suggested that WAG bags don't come with enough toilet paper, so bring some extra.

Main image: Irving Sandoval/Shutterstock

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