Impact Point: Garbage & Human Waste - DLITD

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Face masks collected by Vancouver plogger David Papineau: 40,000
Kilogams of trash removed by Divers for Cleaner Lakes and Oceans: 23,500

What is YOUR Impact?

Cigarette butts, human feces, used face masks, food waste and single-use containers are trashing communities. Waste and garbage might be the end-result, but the real culprit is humans. We are all responsible for keeping our communities litter-free.

Diving In: The Art of Cleaning Lakes and Oceans is an environmental art campaign that aims to raise awareness of the waste in our lakes and oceans by transforming collected trash into beautiful art. Visit www.divinginbc.com to learn more.

Improper Pooping Practices

How many times have you enjoyed a nature trail, only to see remnants of someone’s bathroom break strewn on the forest floor? Leaving your poop and toilet paper behind for all to see is just plain trashy. When not disposed of properly, human waste can seep into the waterways. Nobody wants to swim in or drink water filled with fecal matter. Do you want to swim in your own waste?

Attracting Wildlife

Did you know that littering might contribute to the death of a bear or other animals? Not only is trash toxic for animals to ingest, it also attracts them closer to people. This can lead to human-wildlife conflict, and potentially euthanization of the animal (bears in particular). As they say, a fed bear is a dead bear. It can also lead to a direct conflict between you and a bear. Do you want to have to fight a bear for your life on a camping trip?

Abandoned garbage is unsanitary, unpleasant and unacceptable. Let’s do something about it!

How to Stop Loving It To Death

Learn and practice proper Leave No Trace principles. This includes digging a pit for human waste, packing out your garbage, and leaving campsites clear of all wildlife attractants.

And, just because you didn’t leave the litter doesn’t mean you should ignore it. Next time you see trash, pick it up and throw it away. There are many inspiring stories of citizen-led clean ups taking place around waterways, in cities, roadsides and forests throughout BC. Find one near you or start your own.

Pack out what you packed in and leave nature better than you found it.

Things You Can Do Right Now

1 Become a Polite Pooper

Proper etiquette is to pack your toilet paper out and bury human waste 6” deep, 200’ from water, trails, or places where people (and pups) might find it.

2 Familiarize Yourself with the Camper's Code and Take the Pledge

Learn tips and tricks for how to camp responsibly. Mother nature will thank you (and, so will your fellow campers).

3 Commit to Picking up 3 Items of Garbage Every Walk or Hike

If everyone commits to picking up a few items each time, we can all have a positive impact on the health of our communities, nature, and wildlife.

Featured Resources

Resources

The following organizations offer a series of useful tips on how to minimize your footprint and enjoy the outdoors in a responsible and sustainable way.