Can I Bury My Toilet Paper While Backpacking?

By Robert Palmer

Can I Bury My Toilet Paper While Backpacking?

Backpacking is an amazing way to explore the outdoors and experience nature. However, a major concern for many people is how to dispose of toilet paper – especially in areas without bathrooms or outhouses. The answer to this question depends on your location and the regulations in place.

In some places, burying toilet paper is allowed, while in others it is not. Generally speaking, if you are backpacking in a national park or wilderness area, burying toilet paper is generally accepted and even encouraged. This helps promote a clean environment and prevents any potential health risks associated with improper disposal of waste.

However, if you are backpacking in an area that has designated bathrooms or outhouses, then it is best to use these facilities for disposing of your toilet paper. Not only will this help maintain the cleanliness of the environment, but it will also help protect wildlife from potentially hazardous waste materials. For example, animals may consume toilet paper that has been buried which could lead to serious health issues for them.

When burying toilet paper while backpacking, be sure to dig a hole at least 8 inches deep and cover it up afterwards with soil and vegetation. This will help prevent any odors or potential contamination of nearby water sources. Additionally, try to use as little toilet paper as possible when going into nature – this will help reduce the amount of waste you need to dispose of each time you go out camping or hiking.

Finally, always remember to pack out what you packed in when backpacking – no matter where you are going or what type of waste materials you have with you! This includes used toilet paper – so make sure you bring along an extra bag for packing out any used items before leaving the area.

Conclusion

In conclusion, whether or not one can bury their toilet paper while backpacking depends largely on where they are located and what regulations are in place at that particular time. If allowed by local regulations and parks policies then burying your toilet paper can be done safely – just be sure to dig a deep enough hole and cover it up afterwards with soil and vegetation so as not to attract animals or contaminate nearby water sources. As always when going into nature remember to practice leave no trace principles by packing out all used items upon leaving the area!