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Regular readers of the forum would not be surprised.I cannot believe all the toilet paper in the bushes.
There is no rationale. There is no thought except one's own convenience.I don’t Understand the rationale.
Yes, I did see the posts. Any solutions??? Issuing plastic TP bags with Camino Stamp Passports???I'm afraid that you're preaching to the choir here. This topic comes up regularly.
HiJanana!Yes, I did see the posts. Any solutions??? Issuing plastic TP bags with Camino Stamp Passports???
In the bushes? That´s progress, it used to be all over the footpath.toilet paper in the bushes.
Or signs in every albergue, pension, and hotel along every camino in at least 6 languages asking people not to do it. It wouldn´t stop everyone but at least it gives the message that people know, and care.Yes, I did see the posts. Any solutions??? Issuing plastic TP bags with Camino Stamp Passports???
I agree awareness with photos on posters and bags compulsory buy with the Credential Passport !Yes, I did see the posts. Any solutions??? Issuing plastic TP bags with Camino Stamp Passports???
Yes it is a sad sight but if you, duck into the forest for a pee , then other can do it too . It’s too bad there aren’t trash bins somewhere .I just returned from a lovely camino walk on the Portuguese coast route. I cannot believe all the toilet paper in the bushes. Please lovely pilgrims, put used toilet paper in a baggie and dispose of it when you pass a trash can. It is disgusting to duck into the forest to have a pee and find the ground littered with used TP. Thanks
How about everyone who reads Ivar's posts resolves to pick up the equivalent of one large bag of litter. I'm going to take a small pair of tongs and, as a contribution to the Camino, pick up litter. Maybe over days, maybe one big day, not sure yet. Let's all do that maybe? Let's do it as a tribute to John BrierleyI just returned from a lovely camino walk on the Portuguese coast route. I cannot believe all the toilet paper in the bushes. Please lovely pilgrims, put used toilet paper in a baggie and dispose of it when you pass a trash can. It is disgusting to duck into the forest to have a pee and find the ground littered with used TP. Thanks
As toilet paper is being deposited, all that’s missing is a plastic trowel in your pack to bury the evidence. They are lightweight and allow you to follow the basic rule to “leave no trace”.No doubt we will go through a range of solutions to this problem, many of which will involve what other people, normally the local Spanish or Portuguese governments, should do to fix it.
Although forum members are a very small percentage of the pilgrim population, we can still make a difference by doing some simple things ourselves.
While my observations over the years is that this is not uniquely a problem on the CF, and this thread was started by someone on the CP, other routes I have walked seem to have far less litter generally, and toilet paper in particular, than I remember being on the CF. It is a shame, but as forum members we can at least do something about it as individuals, and not rely on others to provide convenient solutions, much as that might sound attractive.
- While I am unlikely to leave behind toilet paper after I urinate, I do carry a plastic bag into which my rubbish is put during the day. That is largely fruit peel and wrappers from muesli bars and sweets. Women who might need to use toilet paper or tissues can do the same, or they can use some of the other, toilet paper free, approaches to feminine hygiene such as @Elle Bieling has already suggested.
- Every time I visit a bar for a coffee and snack, it is my practice to visit the toilet there. If you aren't going to buy something, leave a donation. Where I am staying now, the charge for the use of a toilet in bus and train terminals varies a bit, but expect it to be between .50c and 1 Euro. I don't expect an public toilet to be free in Europe, but I am happy when it is and they are clean as well.
- I have for many years carried the end of a roll of toilet paper and a small trowel, in case I do find myself having to defecate on the trail. I have never needed to use it walking on the Iberian peninsula, but I put that down to there being sufficient bars and cafes where I can use a toilet. In other places I have walked, one isn't always so fortunate.
I think what folks are suggesting is that those others, knowing that there unlikely to be trash bins just sitting in the forest wherever you duck in, might bring some sort of portable rubbish bag to take out the TP to where trash bins can be found.Yes it is a sad sight but if you, duck into the forest for a pee , then other can do it too . It’s too bad there aren’t trash bins somewhere .
I’m on the Invierno now, and I haven’t seen one single piece of toilet paper. Of course, I also go days without seeing anyone else on the trail at all … I’m using a kula cloth, and it’s working out great. One of the good things about this Camino is that there’s no shortage of places you can easily pee without anyone around.Just an observation.........
During my four times on the Frances so far, it was sad to see the amount of tissue and worse behind any 'suitable' looking bush.
This year on the VdlP and Invierno, with longer distances between villages, and less facilities open generally, often none all day, I don't recall seeing any such refuse! Nada.
But I only met 2 Pilgrims who were on their 'first' Camino........
Just saying..........
How lucky! I must have the mentality of the herd, because on the CF, whenever I went off the trail to urinate, I found that many others had been there before me. The CP was better, but it was only on some of the less travelled caminos this year that I didn't see toilet paper every time I stopped.I’m on the Invierno now, and I haven’t seen one single piece of toilet paper. Of course, I also go days without seeing anyone else on the trail at all … I’m using a kula cloth, and it’s working out great. One of the good things about this Camino is that there’s no shortage of places you can easily pee without anyone around.
I would go further and say it disrespects Spain and the Spanish.I think anyone who craps wherever they please on any camino can never say they think the camino is sacred space or respects the camino or other pilgrims. (Yea, yea I know there are exceptions but they are few and far between. It ain't that tough to carry baggies and wipes or toilet paper.
Bring dog poop bags with you - super lightweight and inexpensive or free. Then dispose appropriately. I agree, it was disgusting and sad to see such lack of respect for our hosts.Yes, I did see the posts. Any solutions??? Issuing plastic TP bags with Camino Stamp Passports???
I recently walked the second half of the Norte and started in Oviedo. I don't recall seeing any toilet paper along the trail or behind bushes. I personally am a fan of using a small day pad to catch any drips (for the ladies) and lasts the whole day.I’m on the Invierno now, and I haven’t seen one single piece of toilet paper.
Funny, but I think that just a few signs discouraging litter like this could be posted on the Way, with specific reference to toilet paper, with possibly beneficial results.
Hello to all who chimed in on this post. Wow -- great thoughts and ideas. I love the sign about "Why are you littering?" Let's keep the conversation alive and spread the ideas and encouragement to all Pilgrims -- present and future. A Clean Camino is a worthy spiritual endeavor.
I just returned from a lovely camino walk on the Portuguese coast route. I cannot believe all the toilet paper in the bushes. Please lovely pilgrims, put used toilet paper in a baggie and dispose of it when you pass a trash can. It is disgusting to duck into the forest to have a pee and find the ground littered with used TP. Thanks
Women & others who squat to pee, be bold & use a Stand To Pee device. They are discreet & can eliminate the paper trail. I just returned from the Camino Frances & loved using the pStyle. It is designed to also wipe - no Kula cloth or toilet paper needed.How lucky! I must have the mentality of the herd, because on the CF, whenever I went off the trail to urinate, I found that many others had been there before me. The CP was better, but it was only on some of the less travelled caminos this year that I didn't see toilet paper every time I stopped.
Did the same. I have dogs, so I just bunged a roll of poop bags into my pack, with a 1/4 roll of TP (squished flat). I would use the bags to pick up paper (banana skins, other pilgrim garbage) I would see on the trail as well as my own TP, and empty them into a bin. If they got gross, I would just toss the whole bag. A roll of 15 lasted me the 37 days.In the USA I bought compostable dog-poop bags and use those to carry my used paper. I also use them for untimely feces (double bag if necessary). I made space in the top of my pack to carry the used bag and then watch for a disposal bin. It’s worked very well!
When I went in April/May, I picked up all the Pilgrim garbage I saw for three of the five weeks. It wasn’t a lot, I didn’t search off trail for garbage, but I certainly left the trail cleaner - that’s my principle for any hiking I do. Rather than set a difficult goal, just vow to leave it cleaner than when you arrived.How about everyone who reads Ivar's posts resolves to pick up the equivalent of one large bag of litter. I'm going to take a small pair of tongs and, as a contribution to the Camino, pick up litter. Maybe over days, maybe one big day, not sure yet. Let's all do that maybe? Let's do it as a tribute to John Brierley
These pee cloths are great. I don't intend to promote a specific company, as there are a number out there. They can be easily ordered online. Now to get everyone to use them....I just returned from a lovely camino walk on the Portuguese coast route. I cannot believe all the toilet paper in the bushes. Please lovely pilgrims, put used toilet paper in a baggie and dispose of it when you pass a trash can. It is disgusting to duck into the forest to have a pee and find the ground littered with used TP. Thanks
Hear, hear!!! We pick up after our dogs on walks all the time - just pack a bunch of poop bags, and be a respectful visitor to those beautiful countries!I just returned from a lovely camino walk on the Portuguese coast route. I cannot believe all the toilet paper in the bushes. Please lovely pilgrims, put used toilet paper in a baggie and dispose of it when you pass a trash can. It is disgusting to duck into the forest to have a pee and find the ground littered with used TP. Thanks
If you go into the forest to Pee , it’s not too different than other people doing the same thingThese pee cloths are great. I don't intend to promote a specific company, as there are a number out there. They can be easily ordered online. Now to get everyone to use them....
Kula Cloth - The Original Antimicrobial Pee Cloth
Kula Cloth is a small gear company in Washington that makes an antimicrobial pee cloth for backpacking, camping, hiking, travel and all of life's adventures.kulacloth.com
It is not so much urine that is the problem as the mounds of unsightly toilet paper. The cloths are reusable, not disposable, so they eliminate the TP problem.If you go into the forest to Pee , it’s not too different than other people doing the same thing
There is a type of TP made for RVs and campers that dissolves easily and quickly in water and if used could minimize the problems as it rainsI just returned from a lovely camino walk on the Portuguese coast route. I cannot believe all the toilet paper in the bushes. Please lovely pilgrims, put used toilet paper in a baggie and dispose of it when you pass a trash can. It is disgusting to duck into the forest to have a pee and find the ground littered with used TP. Thanks
I'd love to see these signs posted all along the Camino!
Sorry, but I don't believe this is the solution.As toilet paper is being deposited, all that’s missing is a plastic trowel in your pack to bury the evidence. They are lightweight and allow you to follow the basic rule to “leave no trace”.
It's just plain dirty!Sorry, but I don't believe this is the solution.
Animals will dig it up.
Rain will not dissolve it.
Digging disturbs the natural biome, especially with thousands of pilgrims digging holes.
Just do your pooping before you leave the albergue or carry a doggie bag.
And the BIGGEST problem (in my opinion) isn't poop, anyway. It is toilet paper left by WOMEN when they squat to pee. Women who would be raising Holy HELL if someone squatted in THEIR yard, peed, and left paper. I just can't wrap my head around why women think it's ok to do this.
I really think something needs to be preached in SJPP and Roncesvalles and all along the route about picking up and carrying out TP.
Not everyone can afford or will buy a Kula Cloth.
For some reason, carrying out TP makes women more squeamish than simply leaving it where they squat.
And TP isn't the worst of it.
I've seen tampons and pads and pantyliners discarded.
Men aren't doing that.
It's gross - and if I see anyone doing it, I will call them out.
It's disgusting.
It's a HUGE pet peeve of mine.
Yep, all the above. Related, why do so many smokers think cigarette butts are not litter?
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