Free/wild camping - toilet paper

[Sweep]

Delicate subject maybe, possibly why a search found not a lot on the matter.

Do folks carry it out in a bag or bury it with your "personal product"

I have carried it out in the past, and have seen some folk saying that this is a MUST.

But seriously, what harm is burying it going to do?

In the grand scheme of things.

I stress that I always leave no trace and have very strict views on litter, so please no-one flame me.

Genuine question.

[Oldjohnw]

Talking of flames, I usually burn it. Burying with the waste product seems perfectly reasonable, so long as the hole is deep enough.

[Mike Sales]

Talking of flames, I usually burn it. Burying with the waste product seems perfectly reasonable, so long as the hole is deep enough.

Perhaps better to return the carbon to the ecosystem by burying than to the atmosphere by burning?
I bury.

[Oldjohnw]

I agree. In fact that just hit me as I typed my reply above. So in future I will bury.

Thanks for the suggestion. Happy to learn and change.

[Jdsk]

The bible:


https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-<i>[inappropriate word removed]</i>-Woods ... 1580083633

Jonathan

[simonineaston]

I looked up the subject of doing #2s in the wild some years ago. I used to cycle-tour quite a lot in northern France and found the combination of lots of food and the larger rural open spaces poses a challenge. If that happened in the UK, I'd just hold on 'till I either passed a public loo or a pub. In France, I felt I needed to adopt a more flexible solution. The conclusion I came to was to use what's known as a cat's scrape, amongst those who discuss such things. In which case I would often use the vegetation available at the time. Here is an artical which talks specifically about loo paper. The paras about loo paper are near the bottom (hoho) of the page.

[Oldjohnw]

My experience is limited to wild camping the hills. It doesn't arise on a normal bike ride.

[Sweep]

Thanks folks - I think unless I get some very convincing argument on why I shouldn't I'll be burying it then - after all I'll be moving on - not inflicting myself on a spot long term - and lots of natural creatures are up to worse things in those woods.

I have used this trowel in the past:

https://www.outdooraction.co.uk/coghlan ... owel-p9598

but must admit I find it a bit weak in all but the most forgiving ground.

At least from so-far short term use I can recommend this instead:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002YT4DJO? ... th=1&psc=1

Light, seems tough, good grip - the serrations help a lot with cutting down. Even has instructions on it

[foxyrider]

I have to say the whole burying #2's is quite amusing. Perhaps we should tell all the sheep/deer/horses/foxes/cats/dogs/cows etc to do likewise

Bury the paper (just make sure its not Izal!) by all means but the poo will actually decompse quicker on the surface than buried - as an archaeologist copralites could be an occupational hazzard and I recently had to remove a lot of buried poo from next doors cat in the potato patch!

[Thehairs1970]

While burying it may mean slower decomposition, the thought of seeing it, treading in it or lying on it instead is less appealing.

[Pebble]

no paper needed, just use grass or leaves. (not so nice on a wet day) Spent a lot of time working in foresty would often have to use the great outdoors. (also, don't need as much cleaning after an outdoor squat compared with using a sit down lav)

[Sweep]

While burying it may mean slower decomposition, the thought of seeing it, treading in it or lying on it instead is less appealing.

agree totally - I wouldn't dream of not burying it - a few times I've popped into a bit of wood/a copse, maybe just for a P, and seen that someone has been there before and left an absolute mess, paper and all.

Slower decomposition doesn't bother me - the planet can take its time with it - there's often other stuff in woods not decomposing much at all - old tree planting things etc.

[hufty]

I bury/cover the poo but carry out the paper. My thinking is if it got uncovered for any reason the paper will still be there long after the poo has decomposed/dried to dust/been dispersed by rain.

I have burned the paper in the past but unless you have a fire going (leaving a trace!) there are obvious reasons why this is not ideal and may not work effectively.

For carrying out, if I've used a wet wipe too would wrap the paper in that first, then will probably have a food wrapper or similar to finish off the parcel. Then it's okay in a pannier pocket or under a bungee until the next litter bin.

Have been testing supposedly fast-decomposting bamboo wet wipes by burying a few in the garden and seeing what happens. It's really not good. After six weeks the first one up was still completely recognisable as a wet wipe, was still white when rinsed off, and was still strong enough to wipe things.

[simonineaston]

As unenchanting as it is, at least the bright white of loo paper gives fair visual warning of what's about...

[Oldjohnw]

As unenchanting as it is, at least the bright white of loo paper gives fair visual warning of what's about...

Except (sh)it should be buried 8” deep. And paper blows around.