Safe and Sanitary Ways to Dispose of Human Waste at Home

Quick answer

• Plan ahead: know your options before you need them.
• Pack it out: if you’re car camping or at a primitive site, this is often the best bet.
• Use established facilities: campgrounds, rest stops, or ranger stations are your friends.
• Dig a cat hole: for dispersed camping where packing out isn’t feasible.
• Composting toilets: a solid investment for long-term or frequent use.
• Proper burial: for human waste, not trash. Know the depth and distance rules.
• Leave No Trace: always the guiding principle.

What to check first (do this before you drive out)

Before you even load the car, get a handle on the waste situation. It’s not glamorous, but it’s crucial.

• Land manager / legality: Who’s in charge of the land you’re visiting? Is it National Forest, BLM land, a State Park, or private property? Each has its own rules. Some areas require you to pack out all waste, including human waste. Others have designated toilets. Always check the agency’s website or call the local ranger district. I learned this the hard way on a trip where I thought I could just bury everything. Nope.

• Access/road conditions: This ties into your waste plan. If you’re going deep into the backcountry on rough roads, your options for where you can camp might be limited. This could mean fewer established facilities or no access to water for washing. Knowing the road helps you plan your waste strategy.

• Fire restrictions + weather + wind: While not directly about waste, severe fire restrictions might mean you can’t even have a small campfire to boil water for hygiene. Bad weather can make digging a cathole miserable, and strong winds can spread toilet paper. Check the forecast and current restrictions.

• Water plan + waste plan (Leave No Trace): How will you clean up? Will you have enough water for handwashing? If you’re packing out, do you have sturdy bags for human waste (like wag bags)? If you’re digging, do you have a trowel? A solid waste plan is key to minimizing your impact. This is fundamental to LNT.

If you’re digging, do you have a reliable camping trowel? A solid waste plan is key to minimizing your impact.

• Safety (wildlife, distance to help, comms): Where you choose to go will influence your safety. If you’re in bear country, burying waste properly is even more important. Knowing how far you are from help and if you have cell service dictates your preparedness for emergencies, which can sometimes be exacerbated by poor sanitation.

Step-by-step (field workflow)

This is how you handle it when you’re out there. Keep it simple, keep it clean.

1. Identify your location and available facilities.

• What to do: Before you even stop to set up camp, scan for restrooms, pit toilets, or vault toilets.
• What “good” looks like: You see a clearly marked, well-maintained toilet facility.
• Common mistake: Assuming there will be facilities everywhere. This leads to scrambling when nature calls unexpectedly. Always have a backup plan.

2. If facilities are available, use them.

• What to do: Head to the toilet.
• What “good” looks like: You use the facility and leave it as you found it, or better.
• Common mistake: Not bringing your own toilet paper or hand sanitizer. Some facilities run out. Pack your own essentials.

3. If no facilities, determine if packing out is required or recommended.

• What to do: Check your maps, guidebooks, or agency rules. If it’s a sensitive area or a high-use spot, packing out is often the rule.
• What “good” looks like: You know for sure that packing out is the required method.
• Common mistake: Guessing. This can lead to fines or environmental damage. Always confirm the regulations.

4. If packing out, prepare your waste bags.

• What to do: Use a designated human waste disposal bag (like a WAG bag) or a sturdy double-bag system. Bring a small trowel if you need to dig a small hole for toilet paper only if the bag system doesn’t accommodate it.
• What “good” looks like: You have sealed, leak-proof bags ready to go.
• Common mistake: Using flimsy plastic bags that can rip or leak. Invest in proper disposal bags.

Consider a durable camping trowel for digging catholes for toilet paper, especially if your bag system doesn’t accommodate it.

5. If packing out, deposit waste and toilet paper into the bag.

• What to do: Do your business directly into the bag. If allowed, bury toilet paper separately in a cathole, but many systems prefer all waste in the bag.
• What “good” looks like: Everything is contained within the sealed bag.
• Common mistake: Leaving toilet paper scattered around the area. Pack it out too, or bury it properly if allowed.

6. Seal the bag securely and store it.

• What to do: Close the bag according to the manufacturer’s instructions or tie it off tightly. Store it in a designated spot away from food and camp.
• What “good” looks like: The bag is sealed and doesn’t smell.
• Common mistake: Not sealing the bag properly, leading to odors and potential leaks.

7. Pack out all sealed bags to a proper disposal location.

• What to do: Carry these bags with you until you reach a trash receptacle or a designated human waste disposal site.
• What “good” looks like: You’ve successfully transported your waste out of the environment.
• Common mistake: Leaving bags behind, thinking someone else will get them. That’s not how LNT works.

8. If packing out isn’t required and facilities aren’t available, dig a cathole.

• What to do: Find a spot at least 200 feet (about 70 adult steps) from water sources, trails, and campsites. Dig a hole 6–8 inches deep.
• What “good” looks like: You have a cathole that meets the distance and depth requirements.
• Common mistake: Digging too shallow or too close to water. This contaminates water sources and is just gross.

9. Use the cathole for solid human waste.

• What to do: Do your business in the hole.
• What “good” looks like: Waste is deposited directly into the hole.
• Common mistake: Using the cathole for trash or toilet paper if it’s not meant for it. Stick to solid waste.

10. Bury the waste and disguise the site.

• What to do: Cover the waste with the soil you removed. Use a stick to break up any large clumps. Then, cover the entire area with natural materials (leaves, pine needles) to make it look undisturbed.
• What “good” looks like: The cathole is completely filled and the site looks natural.
• Common mistake: Not burying the waste deeply enough, or leaving the site obvious. Animals can dig it up.

11. Dispose of toilet paper properly.

• What to do: If allowed, bury used toilet paper in the cathole. If not, pack it out with your solid waste. Some areas require packing out all toilet paper.
• What “good” looks like: Toilet paper is either buried deep or packed out.
• Common mistake: Leaving used toilet paper on the ground. This is unsightly and doesn’t decompose quickly.

12. Sanitize your hands.

• What to do: Use hand sanitizer or wash your hands with biodegradable soap and water away from water sources.
• What “good” looks like: Your hands are clean and germ-free.
• Common mistake: Skipping handwashing or sanitizing. This spreads germs.

Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)

Mistake	What it causes	Fix
Not checking land manager rules	Fines, environmental damage, negative impact on future access	Always check the specific agency’s website or call the local office before your trip.
Digging catholes too close to water	Water contamination, illness for humans and wildlife	Dig at least 200 feet from any water source (streams, lakes, springs).
Not digging catholes deep enough	Waste exposed to elements, attracting animals, poor decomposition	Dig 6–8 inches deep. This ensures proper burial and reduces attraction for wildlife.
Leaving toilet paper on the ground	Unsightly, doesn’t decompose quickly, potential for spread by animals	Pack it out in a sealed bag, or bury it deeply in a cathole if regulations allow.
Using flimsy bags for packing out	Leaks, spills, strong odors, contamination	Use sturdy, leak-proof waste disposal bags designed for human waste. Double-bagging can be a good backup.
Not sanitizing hands after handling waste	Spreading germs, potential for illness to yourself and others	Use hand sanitizer liberally, or wash with biodegradable soap and water away from water sources.
Relying solely on established facilities	Being caught unprepared when facilities are full, closed, or non-existent	Always have a backup plan, especially for dispersed camping or areas with limited infrastructure.
Improperly storing packed-out waste bags	Attracting animals, creating odor nuisances, potential for spills	Store sealed bags in a bear-resistant container if in bear country, or in a dedicated odor-proof bag away from your food and tent.
Not knowing how to use a wag bag correctly	Ineffective containment, potential for leaks and contamination	Read the instructions on the bag carefully before use. Practice sealing it properly.
Burying trash in a cathole	Trash doesn’t decompose, can attract animals, pollutes the environment	Pack out all trash. Catholes are for human solid waste only.

Decision rules (simple if/then)

• If you are in a designated campground with toilets, then use the toilets because they are the most sanitary and convenient option.
• If you are in a wilderness area or dispersed camping and the rules state “pack it out,” then use human waste disposal bags (like WAG bags) because this is the required method for minimizing impact.
• If you are dispersed camping and packing out is not required, and there are no facilities, then dig a cathole that is 6-8 inches deep and at least 200 feet from water because this prevents water contamination and allows for decomposition.
• If you are unsure about the rules for waste disposal in a specific area, then err on the side of caution and pack out your waste because this is the most environmentally sound practice.
• If you are dealing with liquid waste (urine), then it can generally be dispersed widely away from water sources and campsites, unless specific regulations state otherwise.
• If you are using a trowel to dig a cathole, then make sure it is specifically for human waste and not for general trash because they are different disposal needs.
• If you encounter wildlife attracted to a poorly disposed of waste site, then immediately improve your disposal practices and consider relocating your camp if necessary because animal habituation is dangerous.
• If you are camping in an area with high foot traffic or sensitive vegetation, then packing out your waste is always the best option, even if not explicitly required, because it minimizes disturbance.
• If you have any doubt about the legality or environmental impact of your chosen disposal method, then research the specific land management agency’s guidelines because they have the most up-to-date information.
• If you are using a portable toilet or composting toilet, then follow the manufacturer’s instructions for emptying and cleaning because proper maintenance is key to preventing odors and contamination.
• If you are in doubt about whether toilet paper can be buried, then pack it out because it’s better to be safe than sorry.

FAQ

What’s the easiest way to deal with human waste when camping?

Using established facilities like restrooms or pit toilets is by far the easiest and most sanitary method. If those aren’t available, a portable toilet or composting toilet can be a good setup for car camping.

For car camping or a more convenient setup, a composting toilet can be a great option, offering a more comfortable and odor-controlled experience.

Do I really need to pack out my human waste?

In many sensitive areas, like national parks or popular backcountry spots, yes. It’s crucial to check the regulations for the specific area you’re visiting. It ensures minimal impact.

How deep should a cathole be?

Aim for 6 to 8 inches deep. This helps to ensure the waste is properly buried and less likely to be dug up by animals.

Can I just bury toilet paper with my waste?

Sometimes. Many Leave No Trace principles recommend packing out all toilet paper. If burying is allowed, make sure it goes deep into the cathole with the solid waste.

What if I’m in bear country? Does that change things?

Absolutely. In bear country, proper waste disposal is even more critical. Pack out your waste whenever possible, and if digging a cathole, ensure it’s very deep and well-disguised to avoid attracting bears.

Is there a difference between burying human waste and burying trash?

Yes. Human solid waste can decompose naturally if buried correctly. Trash, however, does not decompose and should always be packed out.

How do I clean my hands after going to the bathroom outdoors?

Use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. If you have access to water, use biodegradable soap and wash your hands at least 200 feet away from any water source.

What are composting toilets and are they good for camping?

Composting toilets break down human waste through an aerobic process. They are excellent for longer trips or if you want a more convenient, odor-controlled option at a base camp, but they require maintenance.

Composting toilets are an excellent investment for longer trips or frequent use, providing a sustainable and convenient way to manage waste.

What if I see evidence of someone else’s poor waste disposal?

If you see scattered toilet paper or improperly buried waste, it’s good practice to pack it out or re-bury it properly if you have the means. Leave it better than you found it.

What this page does NOT cover (and where to go next)

• Specific campsite rules, fees, or reservation details.
• Detailed instructions for building or maintaining advanced composting toilet systems.
• Wildlife identification and specific encounter protocols beyond general safety.
• Legal ramifications for violating land use regulations.
• Advanced backcountry navigation or survival skills.