You can control pollution on trek by managing trash
disposal and avoiding water contamination. Trash disposal systems do not exist
along trekking routes, so everyone involved in a trekking party has to share
responsibility. This includes the trekkers, the guide, trek crew, porters and
any trekking company and/or tour operator abroad. Act responsibly yourself and
supervise anyone you hire to ensure no one in your party pollutes.
Trash Typically three types of trash are produced on
trek: organic, burnable, and non-burnable. Trash is an eyesore and can be
toxic, and each type of trash needs to be disposed of properly.
Organic trash, such as food scraps, are best
disposed of by feeding them to domestic animals or allowing them to decompose
underground. In villages or pastures, goats and cows make excellent organic
trash disposals. Always ask local people if it is all right to feed scraps to
the animals. If no domestic animals are around, bury organic trash. Always bury
organic material that decomposes slowly (e.g., orange peels). Remember that
when you are over 4,000 meters, organic waste takes decades to decay. In such
locations, carry organic trash to lower elevations for disposal.
Rather than tossing burnable, such as paper or wood
products, collect and burn them. Candy wrappers and cigarette butts are trash
too and should not be discarded along the trail. Be mindful of when and where
you burn trash. Organise a camp routine to collect and burn trash in the
morning, preferably where a fire scar already exists. Take care to keep
burnable trash as dry as possible avoiding overnight dew.
Non-burnable trash is all trash that is not organic
or burnable, such as tins, bottles, aluminum foil, and plastics. Do not bury
non-burnable trash since it does not decompose and animals may dig it up and
scatter it. Tins and bottles can be given to locals along the trail if they
want them. If no one is there to take them, do not leave them. Aluminum foil,
foil-lined packages, and plastics do not burn properly and if burned release
toxic ozone-depleting gases. Pack all non-burnable trash out to the trail head
and dispose of it properly in the nearest city. No formal recycling facilities
exist, but bottles, aluminum, and plastic are informally recycled in cities.
Take used battery cells back home to your country for recycling or disposal. If
you find an existing trash hole at a campsite, ideally pack its contents out.
If this isn't possible, then partially cover the hole with large flat stones or
wood to keep the trash from being scattered by weather or animals. Carry a
container to collect and transport your non-burnable trash. Crush any tins to
save space. Carrying out non-burnable trash does not increase porter age costs;
the added weight is minimal and will only require a separate porter load with a
large trekking party. Pick up others' trash when you see it along the trail and
encourage everyone with you to do the same. This sets a good example; carry a
few small bags for this purpose. None of this is difficult or time consuming,
but it makes a substantial difference.
Reduce; reuse, and recycle are the three `R's' of
environmentally conscious people. You can minimize waste generation (i.e., the
trash you produce) by avoiding the use of non- biodegradable, non-burnable
packaging. Purchase food for trek that has minimal packaging and where you have
a choice; avoid plastic, cellophane and foil-packaged foods. Buy in bulk and
transport items like flour, rice, lentils, sugar, and salt in reusable cloth
bags or stuff sacks. You can further minimize trash on trek by removing
packaging (e.g., paper boxes, tins) from dry and powdered foods and repacking
them into sturdy reusable containers before your trek. Do not buy or drink
beverages in unrecycleable plastic containers (e.g., bottled mineral water) or
tetrapaks. In towns, choose beverages in reusable glass bottles over harder to
recycle tin cans. Dispose of residual waste responsibly, by recycling whenever
possible. Locals will likely be able to repair any damaged gear and be happy to
take it, along with any other unwanted gear after your trek. (Chart of Length
of time (in years) it takes common materials to decompose)
Women may need to deal with tampons or sanitary
napkins while on trek. Bring tampons or sanitary napkins with minimal packaging
from home. Avoid bringing tampons with plastic applicators in favor of
cardboard ones, which can be disposed of easily. We have seen unsuspecting
village children playing with an improperly disposed of plastic applicator as a
whistle! Tampons are generally difficult to burn even when helped along with
kerosene. Sanitary napkins with plastic coating also are hard to burn. Do not
bury either since they do not decompose easily. Although it may seem
inconvenient or unpleasant, plan to pack out all tampons, non-burnable
applicators, and/or sanitary napkins for disposal in a city. Carry a few sturdy
plastic bags for this purpose.
Water Contamination Water contamination occurs when
human waste and other contaminants enter open water sources. Human waste
contamination spreads hepatitis, typhoid and intestinal parasites such as
giardia, amoebas, and round worms, posing a health risk for residents,
trekkers, and wildlife alike. Clean water should be everyone's right. Villagers
should not have to drink trekker’s dishwater or soapsuds!
You can avoid contaminating water sources by taking
care when washing or bathing and when going to the toilet. Do not put soaps,
even biodegradable soaps, or toothpaste in open water sources. Wash yourself,
your dishes, and your clothes in a basin and discard soapy water at least 50
meters from open water sources. A lightweight collapsible plastic basin works
well.
During the day, find a discreet location at least 50
meters from any open water source to relieve you. Keep toilet paper usage to a
minimum and burn all toilet paper with matches or butane lighter. Pull the
toilet paper apart; a wad does not burn. Carrying a small bag to collect toilet
paper to burn later in camp also works.
How to best deal with human fasces will depend on
where you are. Below tree line, bury it with other organic matter where soil
microbes and worms will decompose it. You may want to carry a lightweight
trowel for this. Above treeline, organic matter decomposes slowly as frosts are
frequent and microbes and worms are few. In remote, uninhabited areas, spread
faces out thinly on rocks to dry it in the sun. The sun's UV rays kill some
bacteria and microorganisms. On a glacier using a crevasse for a toilet is
actually environmentally sound. The glacier's crushing motion kills some
bacteria and the waste will be dispersed and diluted over the many years it
will take it to emerge into the river below.
At campsites, use any existing toilet facility or
pit. When a pit is dirty, clean it. Create a toilet site only where none
exists; ensure it is at least 50 meters from any open water source and half a
meter deep. Ask any locals if they have any concerns about the spot you have
selected. Make sure it is not where others may want to sleep or cook. This is a
real problem in heavily used areas such as along the Baltoro Glacier. If you
are with a trekking company that carries a portable toilet tent, make sure they
follow these same guidelines. Use toilet paper sparingly. Do not put toilet
paper or trash in a toilet pit or crevasse; burn it. Have some dirt available
to sprinkle in the pit after each use; this helps faces to decompose and
reduces odors. If you have a guide, trek crew, or porters, encourage them to
use the toilet site as well. Along the Baltoro Glacier, pit toilets exist, but
are not used by porters who greatly outnumber trekkers! When leaving the
campsite, cover the pit with dirt at least three to four cm above ground level
to allow for decomposition and settling.
Other Pollution Graffiti on rocks is a permanent
form of environmental pollution that is easily avoided. Discourage your trek
crew from writing their names or drawing on rocks.
Remember that many people find smoking offensive.
The Aga Khan encourages Ismaili Muslims not to smoke, so please respect the
wishes of others.
Minimize
noise and don't make any unnecessary noise. Ask your trek crew to do the same.
It is astounding how noisy a crowded campsite along the BATURA Glacier can be
at 4:30 a.m.!
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