Trash management for campsite?

[wahoowad]

We’re always good about keeping our site clean and bringing trash bags, but so far all we’ve really used are thin trash bags from home. They can easily tear at the campsite which then leaks the contents and can further attract bugs and larger critters. The last place we camped had bears so we hoisted the trashbag up on a rope but the bag itself is like 3’ tall when suspended so it made it even harder to get it high enough for a bear to not reach.

Any suggestions and/or alternative ways you store your trash? We’re focused on minimizing trash to help reduce the problem but imagine we will always still have a combination of food scraps, paper towels, packaging from food, hand/body wipes, etc. Typically we’re only out for long weekends and just throw the trashbags in the back of the truck for the haul home.

Thanks !

 

[oldmopars]

A set-up I have seen that seems to work well is a large canvas bag, looks kind of like a back pack, that hags on the spare tire outside the vehicle. It can ride there as long as it is secure.
The advantage is that it is out of the passenger area, so no bad smells. It is tough, won't rip. You can still line it with a plastic bag, but the canvas protects it, the plastic protects the canvas from leaks and wet trash.
If you need to hoist it up a tree due to bears, it is strong enough to handle it.
I have also seen it just hung on the back doors of SUV's also. The ones I have seen look like an Army surplus messenger bag or back pack.

 

[RoarinRow]

A set-up I have seen that seems to work well is a large canvas bag, looks kind of like a back pack, that hags on the spare tire outside the vehicle. It can ride there as long as it is secure.
The advantage is that it is out of the passenger area, so no bad smells. It is tough, won't rip. You can still line it with a plastic bag, but the canvas protects it, the plastic protects the canvas from leaks and wet trash.
If you need to hoist it up a tree due to bears, it is strong enough to handle it.
I have also seen it just hung on the back doors of SUV's also. The ones I have seen look like an Army surplus messenger bag or back pack.

Sounds like the Trasharoo - About

 

[grubworm]

we use plastic walmart bags and tie the handle to a door knob or something on the side of the camper and then put them in a thick contractors trash bag once they are full. keeps it manageable and easy to deal with. we havent been in bear country, otherwise i'd probably do something different.

 

[oldmopars]

Sounds like the Trasharoo - About

Yes, exactly. I did not know it had a name or official company making them. I have seen just old canvas bags used also, but nice to know there is a dedicated purpose built option too.

 

[RoarinRow]

Yes, exactly. I did not know it had a name or official company making them. I have seen just old canvas bags used also, but nice to know there is a dedicated purpose built option too.

I would consider getting one of these, but in my application, it wouldn't work. The truck of my tailgate is covered by carpet (Bed Rug) that covers the gap in-between the tailgate and bed of truck where I believe the straps would hold on to or wrap around.

 

[MidOH]

Cut back on trash.

Wax paper, and paper cartons, burn just fine. Save the bottles, plastic, and cans for other trips.

 

[Road]

Here are two threads from the last few weeks that go over a lot of what others have found helpful for trash management and keeping wildlife out:

Bear proofing?

Hello everyone, I am totally new at this and I am actively planning my first trip into the wilderness. My plan was to visit Scotts Lake in California this weekend and I was wondering how one bear proofs their food/camping items? There are known to be bears in the region and I wanted to get some...

www.overlandbound.com

Tailgate Trash bag and wildlife?

What do people do with their tailgate trash bag with trash in it over night in areas with bears and other curious wildlife? I just got my BROG tailgate bag and plan to use one of them for our trash on our trip but wasn't sure what to do with it overnight if we are in bear or raccoon country.

www.overlandbound.com

 

[wahoowad]

I like the idea of a canvas or other durable outer bag that I can put other smaller trashbags into. The only bag that I have that is close would be my old seabag from when I was the military. I knew I was saving it 30+ years for something

Actually I don't want to relegate that old friend to trashcan duty so want to identify some other similar product. I camp ou tof a full size chevy so don't have a spare hanging off the back like a trasharoo would attach to, but some trasharoo size bag that I could easily lift up using my bear rope would be a good solution.

 

[MazeVX]

So not sure if anyone mentioned it but there are water tight sealed bags, commonly used with canoeing and such.
I put a common thrash bag into it and seal it up, no smell no liquids whatsoever comes out.
The best way to deal with thrash is avoid it wherever it is possible, but there is already a said about avoiding thrash.

Sorry if I missed your point, not sure this time.
The bags I was talking about

Baja™ Dry Bag | Legendary Waterproof Dry Bags | SealLine®

The classic Baja™ Dry Bags provide trusted, waterproof gear protection and storage for a range of water-based adventures.

www.seallinegear.com

 

[grubworm]

im using the wife's purse...its a bottomless pit of trash..... :)

 

[Road]

So not sure if anyone mentioned it but there are water tight sealed bags, commonly used with canoeing and such.
I put a common thrash bag into it and seal it up, no smell no liquids whatsoever comes out.
The best way to deal with thrash is avoid it wherever it is possible, but there is already a said about avoiding thrash.

Sorry if I missed your point, not sure this time.
The bags I was talking about

Baja™ Dry Bag | Legendary Waterproof Dry Bags | SealLine®

The classic Baja™ Dry Bags provide trusted, waterproof gear protection and storage for a range of water-based adventures.

www.seallinegear.com

.

Dry bags meant for boating and river-running are a great solution to put a more disposable, hopefully biocompostable bag, into for later disposal. Great idea.

.

 

[oldmopars]

Here are a few options:
Military Duffle bag: Military Surplus Duffel Bag Nylon Olive Drab Grade 2

Walmart Dry Bags: Outdoor Products 40L Valuables Watertight Dry Bag - Walmart.com

Smaller military bag: Military Surplus Czech M85 Bread Bag Grade 2 Olive Drab

 

[Billiebob]

I store the trash bags in an old ice box cooler. And keep it well away from the camp.

 

[F.S.Overland]

I like the idea of a canvas or other durable outer bag that I can put other smaller trashbags into. The only bag that I have that is close would be my old seabag from when I was the military. I knew I was saving it 30+ years for something

Actually I don't want to relegate that old friend to trashcan duty so want to identify some other similar product. I camp ou tof a full size chevy so don't have a spare hanging off the back like a trasharoo would attach to, but some trasharoo size bag that I could easily lift up using my bear rope would be a good solution.

I used my old military duffel bag on our last trip. It worked for a quick/free solution, but definitely was not ideal. The straps were barely long enough to wrap around the tailgate. due to the old style retainers on the straps, I almost had to cut the straps to get it off. The metal clip used to close it put a minor dent in the tailgate. Once the bag is half full, you can't lower the tailgate all the way. It was a good ideal, but in reality was more trouble than it was worth. Definitely looking for a different solution for the next trip.

 

[RoarinRow]

I used my old military duffel bag on our last trip. It worked for a quick/free solution, but definitely was not ideal. The straps were barely long enough to wrap around the tailgate. due to the old style retainers on the straps, I almost had to cut the straps to get it off. The metal clip used to close it put a minor dent in the tailgate. Once the bag is half full, you can't lower the tailgate all the way. It was a good ideal, but in reality was more trouble than it was worth. Definitely looking for a different solution for the next trip.

Almost looks like someone was taking the bag out of the shell and it got stuck there :)

 

[bgenlvtex]

Rubberized canvas bags were very popular with European military for several decades and there is a ton of surplus out there dirt cheap.

 

[F.S.Overland]

Almost looks like someone was taking the bag out of the shell and it got stuck there :)

I literally had at least 20 people in less than a week flag me down to let me know I had a bag hanging out the back...............Granted, I do live next to an Air Force base, I didn't expect such a huge response of concern.

 

[RoarinRow]

I literally had at least 20 people in less than a week flag me down to let me know I had a bag hanging out the back...............Granted, I do live next to an Air Force base, I didn't expect such a huge response of concern.

LOL I would have done the same. 'Hey buddy, your bag is stuck!'.

 

[F.S.Overland]

LOL I would have done the same. 'Hey buddy, your bag is stuck!'.

That I could handle lol, these were super dumbfounded and confused looking individuals like we were going to wreck and die.