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MATC Education Program
"Leave No Trace"

 

Dispose of Waste Properly

"When in doubt, Pack it out"

 

TRASH = all inorganic materials that are waste
GARBAGE = all organic or food matter waste

COMMON ITEMS to PACK OUT:

  • All TRASH and GARBAGE.
  • Toilet Paper
  • feminine hygiene products
  • last night's inedible burnt dinner
  • apple cores and carrot tops

With so many visitors on the Appalachian Trail, just one scrap of food, bit of paper or fallen twist tie can add up to a lot of trash on the trail. In order to keep it pristine we need to pay attention.

Animated arrow Pre-packaging food and quantity management will reduce a lot of extra trash and garbage on your trip.

EXAMPLE: Snack break on the Trail today is Gorp. In a feeding frenzy, granola crumbs and a few raisins find their way to the ground. Besides being an unwelcome sight for other visitors, these morsels become a meal for forest critters. There is a direct correlation between people routes and "nuisance animals" like mice and red squirrels that feed off of careless droppings. PACK IT IN PACK IT OUT refers to everything we've brought to the backcountry.

Animated arrow Be aware and pick up small crumbs that drop.
Don't feed the animals!

 

WHAT ABOUT APPLE CORES
AND ORGANIC MATERIAL?

It's common knowledge that things like apple cores, banana peels and peanut shells eventually decompose. The key here is what things are native to the Maine woods. Apple trees don't grow in boreal forests, which covers much of Maine's higher altitude. Peanuts and bananas don't grow within 500 miles of Maine! It's best to pack them out and compost at home. The other factor is heavy traffic areas. Where many other hikers will be passing, throwing organic matter on the side of the trail is an eyesore and takes away the feeling of being removed from society.

Animated arrow Pre-packing food and quantity management will reduce extra trash and garbage.

 

GRAY WATER MANIA!!

HUMAN WASTE: WHAT'S THE POOP SCOOP?

 

 

 

 

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Last updated - 7/10/11 12:04 PM
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MATC Webmaster David Theoharides -webmaster@matc.org

Maine Appalachian Trail Club - P.O. Box 283, Augusta, ME 04332-0283