If you like the outdoors and nature, then camping must be one of your favorite hobbies or on your to-do list. These trips are all about enjoying the nature, barbecuing some good food, and roasting marshmallows over the fire. You can add some hiking, biking, swimming, and lot of other activities to the mix as well.
While there are lot of things that people think about, they can often forget about the hygiene part. After all, you don’t really have any facilities out in the nature.
Whether its your first time going camping or you have been camping for some time now, hygiene is always a challenge.
To help you out, here are some hygienic practices that can help you maintain your camping toilet and enjoy your outdoor adventures.
1. Choose the Right Location
One of the first things you need to know about toilets for camping is how to set them up. You need to find a spot that is not only convenient but also discreet. You don’t want to be in clear view of the campsite.Â
Ideally, you should look for an area that is flat, around 200 feet away from any sources of water, and well-drained. You should also stay away from your cooking area because no one wants those smells to mix.
Finally, you should keep in mind the local regulations or guidelines regarding waste disposal.
2. Use Biodegradable Toilet Paper
When nature calls, toilet paper becomes quite important. But before you stock up on toilet paper for you trip, think about getting the biodegradable options. Where regular toilet paper can take several years to break down and mix with the nature, the biodegradable options decompose much more quickly. This way, you will have less of an impact on the ecosystem in the area.Â
Plus, many biodegradable toilet papers are just as soft and absorbent as their non-biodegradable counterparts. So, you don’t have to worry about sacrificing your comfort for sustainability.
3. Practice Proper Waste Disposal
Proper waste disposal is one of the most important things for maintaining a hygienic camping toilet. Most portable toilets for camping are equipped with waste holding tanks that need to be emptied regularly.
When it’s time to dispose of the waste, you should follow all manufacturer instructions carefully.
You should pack some gloves and use designated dumping stations or waste disposal facilities whenever possible. Never dump waste directly onto the ground or into water sources because doing this can contaminate the environment and pose health risks to everything around the water touches.
4. Be Respectful of Nature
One of the most important parts of camping is to make sure that you don’t disturb the ecosystem in the area. Even something as small as digging some holes around your camping site or to dispose of the waste can disrupt things for the life in the area.
You should try to not leave any trace by packing out all of your waste, including toilet paper and hygiene products.
You should also avoid using harsh chemicals or cleaners that can harm the environment. By following Leave No Trace principles and being mindful of your impact on the natural world, you can make sure that the site remains beautiful for the future generations.
