Topic

Opaque ziplock bags for TP??

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Viewing 25 posts - 1 through 25 (of 33 total)
PostedJul 24, 2009 at 3:33 pm

Hi folks, I am a ranger in Desolation Wilderness in Tahoe, and my boss wants me to find some opaque ziplock bags for visitors to pack out their toilet paper.

Naturally, I thought of you first :)

So, not special biodegradable bags that would break down too soon, and not wag bags or poo bags, this is just for TP.

They would be given out free, so they have to be cheap in quantities of 1000 — can't be using aloksaks.

Any ideas or leads would be welcome, thanks in advance.

"Keepin' it clean", Paul

PostedJul 24, 2009 at 10:54 pm

I did find that, I guess that's what it comes down to. Thanks tho.

PostedJul 26, 2009 at 7:01 am

That looks like a good option. And they look more high-tech than a regular plastic bag, which might make people feel better about using them.

PostedJul 26, 2009 at 10:04 am

These look good, but at nearly a dime each, more than I’d like to pay, because we want to make them freely available.
Link

12 x 15 is rather large, to my mind, but when you are turning down the top so you don’t make contact, it might be pretty nice.

As a non-TP user, solo hiker, my perspective is not the average.
Would everyone in a party want their own tp bag?

Gordon Smith BPL Member
PostedJul 26, 2009 at 11:46 am

Paul,
Just curious, is your area so dry that burying TP in a cat hole is impractical?

PostedJul 26, 2009 at 4:46 pm

I can tell you as a TP user, that yes, I won't share ;-) This is also great for ladies who use tampons!

PostedJul 26, 2009 at 8:15 pm

Alli, while packing out TP is preferable, certain areas of the US it is still quite acceptable to bury it in a cathole. In the wet forests of the PNW for example it breaks down fast – where in a desert or alpine it won't.

So something to consider and that if buried properly in a cathole, it won't be seen – so it isn't littering (again, follow local rules and more important, know if it is legal to bury TP.)

PostedJul 27, 2009 at 5:37 am

Alli, while packing out TP is preferable, certain areas of the US it is still quite acceptable to bury it in a cathole. In the wet forests of the PNW for example it breaks down fast – where in a desert or alpine it won't.

So something to consider and that if buried properly in a cathole, it won't be seen – so it isn't littering (again, follow local rules and more important, know if it is legal to bury TP.)

__________

Please Know:

It is simply NOT acceptable to bury toilet paper.

I have been an LNT master for over a decade, and I have worked for years in North Cascades National Park.

And I can say, without hesitation, that it is NOT an accepted practice. There is no way to propperly burry toilet paper. It is litter, plain and simple.

Just because it's buried and "can't be seen" doesn't make it acceptable.

PostedJul 27, 2009 at 6:56 am

Mike, I have no problem saying what I do: I pack out ALL my TP and lady products but neither will I spend my free time harping on those who bury it responsibly. I am sorry, but while I tread lightly I do NOT buy into the whole LNT spiel. I live the best I can and while I will gently prod those who drop litter on the trail, neither will I check their "toilet site" to ensure they follow a concept that many find overbearing.

One of my closest friends, an ex-ranger, who was indoctrinated in preaching LNT to any and everyone, finally had it after a gross encounter and happily lives in the same train of thought world I live in.

Better to live ones life the best they can and not preach overly loud. Preaching is one of the biggest turn offs I can think of. Heck, I have LNT teachers tell me I am downright evil due to that we enjoy going 4 wheeling in areas set aside for it. Maybe with that you can see why I instead option to live by "the best I can do" theory.

PostedJul 27, 2009 at 7:22 am

…And here goes another 20 pages of LNT TP and poopoo discussion.

Tom Caldwell BPL Member
PostedJul 27, 2009 at 8:06 am

What if you have diarrhea?

This reminds me to never again buy any used backpacks from people on this forum.

Joe Clement BPL Member
PostedJul 27, 2009 at 8:11 am

Online forums have taught me to never discuss religion, guns, and LNT.

Steven Evans BPL Member
PostedJul 27, 2009 at 8:26 am

I'm with Joe on this one…poor Paul is looking for some Opaque Bags and has asked us for some help and now this thread will turn into 20 pages of craziness….

Paul,
Do they need to have a "ziplock" on them. I know at my local packaging place they sell black sandwich bags but they do not have the zipper…probably more convenient with it, but much cheaper without.
Steve

John S. BPL Member
PostedJul 27, 2009 at 9:25 am

The "master" has spoken Grasshoppers. Listen…and obey…

Sarah, you will be banned at sunrise for your transgressions..lol

PostedJul 27, 2009 at 9:31 am

"I pack out ALL my TP and lady products but neither will I spend my free time harping on those who bury it responsibly…"

It's trash and I personally don't buy the idea of "responsibly" burying trash in the backcountry. I cannot count the number of times I've overturned a rock to find a wad of half-decomposed paper. Or witnessed a spot where it's been dug up by an animal and tp has been dragged everywhere. It's not right.

There really needs to be a paradigm shift when it comes to acceptable toilet practices in the wild but apparently city-level comfort and conveniences take precedence over leaving an area without litter, buried or not.

I've done my harping for the day.
Have a good one.

Tom Caldwell BPL Member
PostedJul 27, 2009 at 9:37 am

"If you have not read Mike's
article, on using no TP it is very good."

I thought LNT requires one to "Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them."

Jim MacDiarmid BPL Member
PostedJul 27, 2009 at 9:39 am

I was there 2 weekends back and was told by a Ranger on the way in that they were having issues with people not burying tp deep enough(or at all?) and it was ending up in the lakes. The ground can be pretty rocky there, making it tough to dig. Add to that the number of people who camp illegally too close to the water, and I can see why they try to get you to pack out.

I see this as another case (as with mandatory bear cannisters) where competent/responsible people (everyone here, naturally) have to pay the price because there's too many incompetent/irresponsible people 'enjoying' our wilderness'.

todd BPL Member
PostedJul 27, 2009 at 9:55 am

"I thought LNT requires one to "Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.""

Excellent point, Tom!

Thomas Hood BPL Member
PostedJul 27, 2009 at 1:32 pm

The day i have to pack my tp out of the backcountry is the day i quit backpacking.

I practice LNT and am fine with it. But I will not pack out shi^^y tp.

Viewing 25 posts - 1 through 25 (of 33 total)
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