search
menu

 
 
Home
7 LNT Principles
   Plan Ahead
   Durable Surfaces
   Waste Disposal
   Leave It
   Campfire Impact
   Respect Wildlife
   Courtesy
Special Concerns
   Desert
   Waterways
   Caving
   Rock Climbing
   Snow Camping
   Horse Use
LNT Articles
   Frontcountry
   Motorized LNT
   Invasive Species
   Geocaching
   Fires or Stoves
LNT Training
 
LNT Links
About Me
Other Dudes
Leave No Trace
 

Dispose of Waste Properly

Food Scraps

Food garbage is often left behind because it is biodegradable or animals will eat it. Use this activity to emphasize the importance of packing out uneaten food.

Goal
Participants will properly strain dishwater, pack away the food bits, and disperse the water.
If you used the One-Pot Meal activity for Plan Ahead and Prepare, students can use those pots for this activity.

Time
10 minutes for session, 5 minutes to prepare.

Objectives
Participants will be able to:

  • Wash dishes using no soap
  • Strain food from washwater
  • Collect food bits for packing out
  • Discard wastewater

Materials - for each small group

  • Pot of water and empty pot
  • Spoonful of rice
  • Green scrubbie pad
  • Square of fine mesh screen or nylon stocking
  • zip-loc baggie

Motivator

  • Animals are not a nuisance, being attracted to food bits.
  • The camp area is cleaner and smells better.
  • Water sources are protected.

Presentation

  • Give each group of students a dirty pot (half full of water and a spoonful of rice), scrubbie, and screen.
  • Explain that they should:
    • Scrub the pot clean.
    • Pour the waste water through the screen and into the second pot.
    • Broadcast the waste water and bring back the food bits they collected.

Reflection

  • Where did you disperse the water? (on soil or rock rather than vegetation)
  • Was the amount of food collected worth the effort of straining the water?
  • Was it necessary to use the second pot? What could we do instead?
  • Is this how dishes and waste would be cared for in developed campgrounds? (should ask campground host when you arrive)
  • How can the dishwashing task be made easier even before you start washing? (scrape out every bit of food. Wipe out with a paper towel.)


Ask LNT Dude a Question

Leave No Trace - or even LESS trace

Find more Leave No Trace Resources at www.LeaveNoTraceDude.com