Will somebody tell me where the bathroom is?
There’s a potty over there
There’s a potty over here
There’s a potty over there
A potty over there
There’ s a potty everywhere – bobby jimmy & the critters

Ok ya’ll, I know. Some subjects you just don’t want to talk about. But then on the other hand we all want to know the answers. Every kayak coach at one time or another gets the “potty questions”. Obviously one of those questions is what to do when you gotta go and you’re out in the great unknown. If you’re going to spend any time exploring in your kayak it’s going to happen. So now is a great time for a little potty talk.When we’re out on an island somewhere, dealing with “human waste” can be a pretty interesting task. You never want to be the walking by the campfire and heading off into the woods with a couple plastic bags in one hand and a little spade in the other. Yeah we’re all grown up here, but still!! It’s actually pretty amazing that you never seem to see anyone heading off into the woods. I guess we all pick opportune moments.

I’m not going to spend time here lecturing you on stewardship, and certainly there are times when you may just dig a hole and bury waste. But in most cases you should carry out. Up until now the best way to do that was with double bags and Tupperware or the innovative “Poop Tube”. But last weekend at Canoecopia I was introduced to a new convenient high-tech solution from Restop Products called the “Wilderness Waste Containment Pouch. They have come up with a bag within a bag solution to contain & carry out waste as well as neutralize all the nasty stuff.

Here is a bit from their website:

“Using a scientifically formulated blend of polymers and enzymes in specially designed plastic bags, human waste is first contained and then converted into environmentally friendly waste. The polymers gel upon contact with liquid, safely containing the waste, and the enzymes begin to consume the waste products. When there is nothing left for the enzymes to feed on, they consume themselves, leaving basic salts and water. The result is an environmentally friendly and sanitary bag that can be disposed of in any trash container.” – Web Link

The part we’ll all like is how easy it is to use in the wilderness. The WWCP is sold as a 5-pack and is packaged in a mesh bag for easy carry out. Each pouch includes toilet paper and a moist antiseptic towlette as well. You will find you can easily lay out the wide mouthed (do you have a better term??) top on the ground (or a 5 gallon pail) to create an easily usable commode. Then when you’re done the the upper bag folds into the lower triple layer barrier bag, which then zip locks closed. Then because of all that fun scientifically formulated stuff that’s way above my head, you can just carry it out and toss it in the trash. Cool, huh!?

But, as Lavar Burton says, “Don’t take my word for it”. Check out the website. Not only do they have photos of the “Restop” on Mt. Everest, but you’ll also find a nice little flash presentation as well.

The Restop Wilderness Waste Containment Pouch can be orderd directly from their website and is about $13.00 for a pack of 5.

*image provided by Restop. Thank you.

Related Posts:

1. More Trash Talk
2. Night talk
3. Today we saw lots of Puffins. . .
4. Another Vote for North Water then?
5. Pour