From the Driver's Seat: Talking Trash!
Trash is a subject that may be something everyone takes for granted. Put your trash in a bag, take it to the curb, and it is taken care of. Yes, it cost a nominal amount, but the convenience is worth it.
As I have stated in previous posts, we try as best we can to disperse camp. But those of you that may not know, these are places that are typically in remote areas. It could be Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. National Forests, and most public lands managed by the federal government. These are lands that are free to use, but have certain rules posted on their website and/or on a sign near the entrance. Most have a 14-day limit per stay. No water or electricity is available. Even fewer have any type of garbage disposal. The saying goes "Pack It In and Pack It Out."
For a short stay, this is not a problem. You may have a couple small bags that you can bring to a rest area or gas station to throw away while fueling. The problem is: what if you are planning to stay for an extended period? With the price of fuel, leaving every couple days to dispose of garbage isn't feasible. Finding where you can both legally and ethically dispose of your trash can sometimes be a struggle. In addition, transporting and storing your trash can also be a challenge. You definitely cannot leave it outside due to animals actively occupying the land. If you invest in some kind of sealed "bear proof" canister, it has a very limited capacity. This is also another large item to store.
At this point, I must admit, we don't have a permanent solution to this problem. I will share a few ideas that we have used up until now. We got good quality garbage bags. When full, push as much air out as possible. Twist, tie, and use draw strings to double seal bag. We purchased two stackable quality totes that seal quite well. When not in use, they nest in one another, taking up minimal space. Even a sealed tote needs additional assistance for odor control. We have found that leaving a box of baking soda, along with a liberal dusting of carpet cleaner on the bottom of the tote is a big improvement. These have worked well unless outside temperatures are high.
As far as disposal of trash, we have found that many village, town, or county parks have dumpsters for public use. We prefer this method over a gas station if we have accumulated more than two small bags of garbage.
This process has worked for us, but like many other things, we are always trying to adapt and improve upon our relatively new way of life. Garbage and garbage disposal is a subject that can make people uncomfortable. Whether you are thinking about hitting the road full time or just curious about this way of life, i want to share both the upsides and challenges of choosing this lifestyle. Unfortunately, garbage disposal can be a definite challenge.
I never considered that garbage disposal could dictate the length of stay at any one location. I always believed that the culprit would be water or food. With careful planning, we have overcome any and all obstacles we have crossed. I am confident we will improve upon this as well.
Stay safe drivers!
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