How to lessen your ecological impact with responsible toilet practices
1. Carry out used toilet paper
2. Use a bidet
If you find that regularly carrying out used toilet paper is inconvenient, we suggest using a portable bidet. Portable bidets, like the CuloClean, offer a hygienic and eco-friendly alternative to traditional toilet paper. A bidet is a single item that allows you to maintain personal cleanliness without paper waste. To use it, you simply remove a water bottle’s cap, attach it and squirt.
Bidets not only aid in personal hygiene; they may also help reduce chafing as they are not abrasive like toilet paper. Additionally, the high-pressure water flow from a bidet can also be a great addition to a first aid kit for cleaning minor wounds.
3. Carry a trowel to bury waste
4. Create a system for carrying your waste out
Some regulations require hikers to carry out all human waste, such as those in Kosciuszko National Park or the Main Range on the AAWT. In these areas, you need to develop a system where you can hygienically and comfortably carry out waste. Whilst this may seem difficult, having the right setup can make it manageable. Our preferred system includes:
- Biodegradable baking paper (e.g. Glad to Be Green)
- Paper bags
- 1 large ziploc bag
- 2 garbage bag liners
- Dry bag
The waste (including used toilet paper) is wrapped in baking paper, which is then placed in a paper bag and sealed inside a ziploc bag. The ziplock bag is tucked into the two garbage bags which line the dry bag, providing extra layers to contain the odour and reduce the chance of leakage. Future waste can be placed in the same zip lock bag for simplicity. This system allows you to easily take out and dispose of the waste-containing paper bags when you come across drop toilets.
5. Use a wee rag
Washing
1. Minimise soap usage
When washing in the bush, we avoid using soap as it is not biodegradable. If you choose to use it, it is best to apply minimal quantities and always away from water sources to help prevent contamination.
For cleaning pots and pans, boiling water can be a good alternative to soap along with gravel and sand to create some abrasion. We also recommend washing the pots away from water sources to help prevent contamination.
2. Don’t bathe in rivers if you have a lot of chemicals on your skin (e.g. insect repellent, sunscreen)
Other ways to reduce your impact
1. Camp in established campsites
To reduce your environmental footprint when hiking, we suggest camping in established or designated areas. Pitch your tent on durable surfaces, such as dry grass, gravel, or pre-existing campsites. Additionally, make an effort to camp at least 100m away from water sources to help reduce the risk of water pollution.
2. Carry your food scraps and rubbish out
Proper waste management also extends to food scraps. Avoid discarding them on the ground as this can attract animals and make them sick. We tend to eat most of our food scraps, such as eating apple cores, or pack them out in a waste bag.
We also avoid burning our rubbish in a campfire. Whilst it may seem like a convenient solution, burning does not effectively decompose all materials and can even release harmful substances into the area.
3. Follow the track (if there is one)
Lastly, one of the simplest ways to reduce your ecological footprint is to stick to the designated trail. Sensitive plants can be trampled, and repeated off-trail walking can disrupt wildlife and contribute to soil erosion.
If the trail seems to have faded, instead of creating a new one, we suggest using Strava heatmaps. They can help you find routes that others are using, ensuring you stay on the most-trodden path.
