Travel Trash

One of the unreported issues with travel is taking out the trash. It can be an issue. Okay, for some people it's no problem. They toss their junk out on the side of the road or behind their campsite. Pretty disgusting, in my opinion.

For the rest of us, we have to deal with the trash we generate. Of course, the best way to limit the trash problem is avoid items with a lot of packaging in the first place. That's nice when you can do it. Another way is to bring along canvas bags for your groceries. I don't care if people think it's dorky. It reduces plastic litter and those canvas bags have a thousand other uses.

Even the most environmentally conscious people are going to generate at least some trash. It seems every campground has a different way of disposing of it. Many have a few central dumpsters and you have to learn where they are. Others have smaller barrels scattered all over the place. One campground even had daily pick up right from your site. The presence of bears makes a difference too, as trash in bear country has to be locked down. Usually their dumpsters are well latched and there are bear proof trash cans around.

We've even been camping places that have no trash containers at all. They seem to have the worse littering problems.

One way to keep trash from piling up while traveling is to use the trash containers at gas stations when fueling up. Even small items add up over time, so dumping that handful of junk when you can makes a difference.

Recycling is another thing entirely. We've noticed a lot of places don't deal with it. My lovely wife and I will hold onto our recyclables until we come to a place that recycles. We've been keeping them in a sealed bucket so they don't attract bugs.

There are two types of people out there. One group is concerned about the common good and takes care of public spaces. Others feel that common areas aren't their personal space so it doesn't matter what happens to it. I feel that those who litter probably have other personal faults, like a general disregard for their fellow man.

-Sixbears