Trash storage

[pwc]

Keeping up with my line of storage thread... ....
I've struggled from time to time with a good system for storing trash on the trail. Usually the plastic bag works fine but I'm one of those guys who in the past has been known to drink a good number of bottles of liquid type refreshments. So I'd like to seperate the gross smelling trash stuff from the likes of recycling things (it's ok to group all recycling into one container). The plastic bag just doesn't work well out here in the PNW as we have trees that like to rip them open.

So I'm looking for suggestions of a fairly cheap, easy method of storing/separating trash and recycling for a multiday backcountry trip. Something that won't spill.

I had the idea of some kind of storage box (rubbermaid kind, not hard plastic) but that hasn't been perfected.

Any ideas?

 

[DaveInDenver]

I use heavy duty trash bags as liners inside a dry bag. The dry bag keeps the smell at bay and the heavy lining (I use the 3 mil bags from Home Depot) makes it easy to clean up at the end. You are limited only by the size of a dry bag you use. A small one works fine on a day trip and a bigger one (or several I suppose in your case to separate waste) covers you on a long trip.

 

[mountainpete]

Check out my other thread on Ziploc big bags... might work for you. :sombrero:

 

[Scott Brady]

This is a great thread. Trash was the one consideration I spaced when designing my truck. I am considering some type of canvas bag to hang from the back...

 

[Whoknows]

I'm using one of these. I line it with a trash bag. It has a lid and it can be used to store gear at other times.

http://www.shop.com/op/~Kingsford_K...10_W_x_19_D-prod-35417814-46707275?sourceid=3

 

[articulate]

:REOutArchery02:
You hit the mark with this thread! Dealing with trash is complicated because you don't start out with any on board. Instinctively I think that Scott's canvas bag idea has the most merit. Heavy duty, and it can pack away once it's emptied. Especially at the beginning of a trip.

What do yo do with the plastic bins at the start of a trip?

 

[Nullifier]

In Oz they make these bags that strap tot he rear spare tire carrier like a back pack for trash. Michelles sacks makes a nice unit down there. It is a problem though. One thing I have is a collapsible trash can that works great for camp. I put a bag in it and then toss it in the bed or cargo rack after.

 

[goodtimes]

The best way to store trash is to simply not generate it. I usually start by getting rid of as much as I can at home. Food gets stored in tuperware containers (which get washed and go home with me). Paper towels are replaced with cotton towels that get thrown in with the dirty clothes once they are dirty. Non disposable plastic cups and light weight pans (hijacked from my backpacking stuff) usually serve as dishes--all washed and re-used. I pack most of my meat in freezer paper, which burns quite nicely. By the end of most trips, I only have a single burlap sack partially filled with cans and [glass] bottles.

 

[desertgirl66]

The best way to store trash is to simply not generate it. I usually start by getting rid of as much as I can at home. Food gets stored in tuperware containers (which get washed and go home with me). Paper towels are replaced with cotton towels that get thrown in with the dirty clothes once they are dirty. Non disposable plastic cups and light weight pans (hijacked from my backpacking stuff) usually serve as dishes--all washed and re-used. I pack most of my meat in freezer paper, which burns quite nicely. By the end of most trips, I only have a single burlap sack partially filled with cans and [glass] bottles.

Yes, good point Brian. We try and pre cook a lot of food and then seal-a-meal it to boil up in hot water at camp. Most veges are pre-chopped and eggs are already put into containers that can be washed out. It's those darned "beverage" containers that can build up

 

[SeaRubi]

my plan has always been to generate a ton of trash, and just let pwc take it away on the top of his 110. i guess this plan hasn't been working out so well for pwc :wings:

i like the idea of using lined dry-bags. would probably pack down relatively well and stowe easily on a roof rack. and +1 on not generating any ... good feedback there.

we had talked about trying to make some kind of manual trash compactor at one point that would condense garbage down and then get added to a container exclusively retained for that purpose. sounds good in theory, however concrete details in terms of implementation are fleeting.

 

[calamaridog]

I think Brian hit the most important point. Unpack stuff from the original bulky packaging and use reusable containers. This works well for most things but disposable plates, etc. cut down on the need for water to clean. Not washing dishes also means more time for :beer: and :REOutCampFire03:

Many standard trash bags are .5 mil thick. I use true "heavy duty" bags that are 4 mil thick. I used to have some that were 6 mil thick, but I don't see them anymore and will have to special order them. Use a plastic zip tie to close the bag up tight.

 

[BlueFly]

I've been mulling this over too. I prefer the canvas/dry bag solution- lightweight, expandable, stowable when empty, can hang off the back and not take up interior space. Just have to figure out the best material/tie down system.

I've also considered using one of the gamma lids on a bucket though. Depends on the trip and what kind of trash you'll be generating. If you're traveling through a pack it in/out area the bucket might be better, or a rocket box/ammo can.

 

[RoundOut]

What about critters?

One of the biggest concerns when storing trash, especially if it contained food, is critters. Critters can smell odors through almost any container and are quite clever at opening things, depending on the frequency of human visitors they have encountered.

Depending on the critters in the area, whether bears, racoons, mini-bears (ground squirrels), or just ants, one must carefully prevent critters from getting your food and your trash. Keeping food in the cab of the truck is safe, but nobody wants to keep their trash in their vehicle, unless the odors can be contained, too.

In forested areas or where scattered trees are available, we have always hoisted food and trash off the ground up under a tree with a rope thrown over a limb. Separate areas if possible, of course. In arid terrain without trees, there are less likely to be large critters, but also no trees available to keep the mini bears or ants away. On a short expedition where space is not at such a premium, take an extra cooler and this works well to keep critters away.

If campfires are permitted, burning everything but metal and glass gets rid of it well, but burning plastic is not very environmentally friendly, as it emits some toxic smoke.

Balancing the amount of water available to clean dishes is also important. If doing dishes, disposal of the dishwater should be done with a sump to capture small food particles that would otherwise end up on the ground. Using a coffee can, cut some holes in the bottom with a canopener. Put pine straw, grasses or other similar media in the can and pour the dishwater over it. The straw will collect the particles and you discard it with your solid waste, whether in a fire or packing it out.

At the end of the day, PLANNING is key. The better one plans meals and cooking, the less trash they'll generate, making this less of an issue.

 

[pwc]

I like the backpack onthe rear tire idea, that way it won't get ripped by trees. And a heavier bag would help. I have a drybag and tried that once but it was kinda bulky.

Planning is key, but for weekend/3 day trips we don't always spend a lot of time pre-preparing stuff as it takes as much time as does getting to where we're going! I'm not worried about doing dishes since we just have a basin filled with water, put them all in it, and use it as an excuse to get our hands warm at the end of the evening. I also have something of a plan to make sure I've got enough water on board that it's not much of an issue. I like it better than just throwing away paper plates time and again, but that's just me. Although I DO like burning things.

I guess we just need to do a better job of putting bottles back in the containers they arrived in, that should help. It's the recycling that tends to add up, more so than garbage at points. Isaac's plan of throwing stuff on top of my truck will soon be ending (roof basket coming off ). He may, gasp, have to pack out his own trash in the future :yikes:

The more I think about it, the more I like the thicker 4+ mil bag in some kind of backpack thingy that straps over the spare on the back door. Plus we plan on making the back end of the truck more of a cooking area so having the trash there will be handy.

I remember fondly the discussions about a trash compactor of some kind, something that maybe you drove over. Reducing the amount we create now seems easier

Wait, if I put the backpack on the spare tire, how will people know I drive a Land Rover????

 

[rusty_tlc]

An onion sack hung from the spare work great for beverage empties. The little bit that I can't squeeze out just drains out on the ground. It is also handy to pick up any trash found along the trail. Burlap sacks, and nylon mesh laundry bags work well.

All of the above also serve double duty as dunk sacks to cool said beverages in a mountain stream prior to consumption too.

Note: when you discard the over packaging on food, remember to clip cooking instruction out first. Not that I have ever found my self sitting in camp trying to figure out what to do with three packets of dry ingerdients or anything. :doh: