Written by Michael Brunson.
Pop quiz – who remembers their foundational physics and the first law of thermodynamics? Anyone? I’ll help you out. The first law of thermodynamics, in a nutshell, states that energy cannot be created or destroyed. Rather, it is only transformed or transferred from one form to another. I know what you are thinking. Why are we discussing physics when I thought this was supposed to be about Leave No Trace? Hear me out.
In this installment of highlighting the principles of Leave No Trace, we are jumping ahead to principle number 3 – Dispose of Waste Properly. So, while that Red Bull you just consumed before your 8 am English Comp class might transform the caffeine, sugars, and other ingredients into “energy” to get you through class, the can doesn’t disappear from the world once you toss it in the trash bin. In other words, “nothing goes away.”
Picture this. You are enjoying a beautiful fall hike to the falls at Chewacla State Park. As you walk, enjoying the fall colors and listening to birdsong, you notice a pile of orange peels on the side of the trail. Does that bother you? Maybe. Maybe not. After all, it is organic material and will biodegrade. A little further along, you notice a Snickers wrapper on the trail. Maybe that bothers you? Maybe not. Still further you see a small plastic bag tied up filled with…well, you know. Annoyed?
Now picture those same items along your walk through campus. Or in town. Or another natural area like Shenandoah National Park. Would any of those items found on the pavement or trail bother you any more or less because of the location? Does a candy wrapper on your favorite hiking trail cause you to shake your head while that same candy wrapper on the steps up the student center doesn’t make you think twice? Along with the obvious fact that this highlights examples of waste not being disposed of properly, it also underscores the normalization and even desensitization of waste in certain areas (i.e. urban areas). But this principle goes far beyond simply being considerate about throwing our trash away.
Discarded litter injures or kills over one million wild animals every year through physical entanglement, toxic ingestion, and roadside collisions. Trash and litter not properly disposed of can end up in creeks and waterways, contaminating local water sources as well as negatively impacting aquatic environments. Not to mention, it just looks bad. Especially on campus, the last thing any of us should want to see is a plastic bag stuck to the Aubie statue billowing in the wind and other trash ruining our beautiful campus.
But enough of the doom and gloom. Here are some considerations for Leave No Trace and how, whether we are in the backcountry, the frontcountry, or in an urban setting, can follow this principle to help protect any environment that we find ourselves in.
Backcountry and Frontcountry Travel
- Pack it in, pack it out. You have probably all seen it or heard it. Especially as trash cans are not available in some outdoor spaces, it becomes even more important to pack out any trash that you generate, instead of leaving it out there. And no, fire pits are not trash cans!
- Thoughtful cleaning. If camping and cleaning dishes in the backcountry, don’t clean dishes and deposit waste directly in a water source. Instead, carry water at least 200 feet from the source and use a small amount of biodegradable soap. Bonus karma points if you pack out solid food waste!
- Mind your business. If toilets aren’t available, be sure to do your business at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails. #1? A little easier; just find a good private spot. #2? (Yes, we all do it) Dig a cathole 6-8 inches deep and cover when finished. More to it than that, but that’s a conversation for an official LNT certification course.
- Fishing or hunting? Pack out and properly dispose of all fishing line and bait. When hunting, don’t leave shell casings and other disposable equipment in the field, not to mention properly take care of any entrails. Lack of consideration regarding these actions can have big impacts on wildlife.
Urban Settings
- Don’t be lazy. This pretty much speaks for itself. Take the time to find a trash receptacle. And yes, that apple core may be biodegradable, but it still looks bad to simply toss it in the grass. Take the time to throw it out or, better yet, see if you can find a place to compost it.
- Know the proper disposal types. Not everything goes in the trash. The easiest; take the time to properly recycle items. But do you know what to do with old batteries? Tech items and other electronics? AU Facilities Management has great resources for recycling and the disposal of other types of waste around campus.
- Reduce. Take it a step further and, as I mentioned in my previous post, limit the amount of recycling or waste disposal you must do from the start. A reusable water bottle or coffee mug, or even reusable food containers, can limit the amount of waste we need to recycle or throw in the trash in the first place. Even thinking about everyday purchases and our shopping habits, whether it’s clothes or other goods, and how long they will last, can help us limit our waste footprint.
- Campus cleanups. Some clubs and groups already take the amazing extra steps to help keep our campus clean. What can your group do? Might be time to take on the 2027 LNT University Challenge…
And this leads me to my last consideration, in any setting; take action yourself. Set the standard. Bring your reusable shopping bags to the grocery store. Go the extra mile and bring one to Target (check this out for a creative look at the “life” of a plastic bag). See a wrapper or trash on the ground? Pick it up. Have a small trash bag and gloves on hand next time you go for a hike. Pack out that banana peel or energy drink can. Not only will you feel good about helping, but you’ll gain positive trail karma.
Remember, nothing goes away. When it’s easy to normalize an “out of sight, out of mind” mentality, let’s normalize doing our part to limit waste and keep our natural environments and communities clean and healthy. And that orange peel at Chewacla? It can still take up to 2 years to decompose.
Written by Michael Brunson, Professor of Practice and Leave No Trace Level 2 Instructor, Parks and Recreation Management, College of Forestry, Wildlife & Environment.
