Sit, Stay, Good Girl/Boy! 14 days of poop

[ORANGE]

You BLM folks, what the heck are you using for pooping and how the heck are you keeping it for 14 days until you can dispose of it.

Seriously Ive not read/watched what you are doing about that.

I just found out I can free boondock for 14 days at a time.  I have to buy something!  Then what?

Though everywhere I could go on the TVA  city/town is right near by.  But finding somewhere good to park, Id hate to leave it to go into town, use the gas and then come back and find someone else TOOK MY PLACE.  How are you parking in one spot for 14 days?

So what are you doing?  Should I buy a porta pottything? 

Come one come all and post.  Give a link to purchase.

 

[B and C]

This has been covered a lot here. You are in the right forum heading. Plastic bags and 5 gallon buckets work well.

https://vanlivingforum.com/showthread.php?tid=20170

There are more.

 

[ORANGE]

Hey B and C,

I have seen the 5 gallon bucket even 2 gallon bucket.

But 14 days of poop? What the heck are you doing with it parked in one place. THAT I have not seen, dont know about. I havent come across anyone who keeps/collects 14 days of poop before dumping. Is that to be inferred that is what everyone is doing in that thread you linked?

And I did just read the link you provided before I posted here, I did go searching. I dont see filling a bucket over 14 days in your wheels? I saw many this or that way dont stink.

I dont care if I have to spend hundreds of dollars vs free or cheap bucket and gamma lid, porta potty, chair with bags. I will run home to sticks and bricks in no time if my bloodhound nose can smell it.

OK lets try this. 14 days of poop. What does that weigh? Hard to carry to the trash?

 

[B and C]

What does it weigh? Your food intake indicates how much it weighs coming out. The more you eat, the more it weighs. I have a 12 gallon black tank that lasts me two weeks. I don't use a bucket.

I'll let others chime in on the bucket method and what works for them.

 

[Kaylee]

Based on several recommendations, I put a handful of hamster/etc pine bedding (it's in the pet section of Walmart (it's inexpensive)) in the bottom of each poop bag, then after use, gently press out air, tie it up (as close to the poop as possible) and put it into a grocery bag in a separate bucket (with just a loose fitting lid).
I use the DollarTree 4 gallon bags (currently 40 for a buck), and have been very pleased with them.

I try to have a few ready to deploy (i.e. with hamster bedding already in it), and one in the bucket all ready to use.
I've had about 3 sets of diarrhea, and once did have to use two bags fairly close together, so am glad I got into the habit of ready-to-use bags.

Both my buckets are small (~2 gallons?), but I plan to repurpose a 5 gallon bucket for storage, soonish.

Several reliable people have said that a gamma seal keeps the smell in.
I do not yet have a gamma seal (it's the top of my WishList).
So far, I've found the smell starts to get noticeable (to me - Vulcan/TBI senses) after about 5-9 days.
I'm camping in an area without cellular, and have to have access about once per week for my volunteer work, which works out perfectly for DDB (dumping-da-bucket), dumping urine, and getting water, food, ice, and Library stuff.

I have not yet done 14 continuous days.
A couple of other novices and I have PM'd about the 14 day thing.
It's my goal (hence the gamma seal on my wishlist), but please do not feel you "must" start with 14 days.
You've got an awesome plan to take baby steps, so think in terms of "about" a week, and go with whatever works for you.

Here's a genius level post by "waldenbound" explaining her experiments and final technique:
https://vandwellerforum.com/thread-2681-post-45526.html#pid45526
There's other helpful stuff in that thread (plus some regrettable trolling - be warned).

 

[bullfrog]

The C head separating toilet has worked well for us as it can be dumped into a regular 5 gallon bucket and sealed with a lid. The urine is stored in regular 1 gallon plastic jugs.

 

[cherterr]

After all my years of 'research' on this topic, the day came to move my RV which I lived in for 4 yrs to my Mini McMansion property with no septic.  I had already practiced by getting a screw in brass 'cap' for the water inlet to the RV toilet to Stop any water from getting in it.
Next... found some plastic bags that fit nicely 8 gallon is  good size.  Dollar Store cheapies are fine. (helps if you gather and tie the square bottom of bag); put in a little cat litter and wa la.

In my tiny home I use an actual PortaPottie the same way.  (I use the water for pee pee only.. NO POOP into the tank)  Most of the trouble begins with MIXING the two when it comes to Stank! eww.  AnYWAY...

NOW..the important part:  I take the little bags to a wonderful little 'trash can' for animal feed that I keep on my back porch, then take weekly etc. to dump.  I do this with a giant black leaf/lawn bag.  NEVER ANY SMELL except for a second when can is open.  NOTHING can break into it (well..?? maybe a bear.. but I don't have those here!  yay).

I bought mine at Tractor Supply.  
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...vanized-sheet-steel-garbage-pail?cm_vc=-10005


It will keep out ants, etc. til you are ready to dispose.  Mine actually have one rounded top handle which I think may be better if you can find one.  Just make SURE there is a TIGHT LIP around the top of lid/container configuration which makes all the difference.

Hope this helps.  I also bought a second one for my RV!  
(I am NEVER putting ANYTHING into a Black Tank EVER.. but that's just me.  Texas heat is NOT fun for that.  When I moved the aforementioned RV it took about 5 good cleanings with bleach water, and rinsing and it STILL smelled for a few weeks.  UGH.  Never again.)

ALSO... WalMart has a very nice CHEAP ($12)? 3 legged plastic toilet tote. 
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Reliance-Folding-Portable-Toilet/23760414

It COMES with an expensive black THICK bag but the GREAT thing about IT, is the fact that the LID is Air TIght.. if you've stuck in a small space as a Van in the middle of the night.. it is a real life saver on Breathing.  Same as above..line w/smaller bag, teeny bit of cat litter.. and wa la.  Go back to sleep without gagging.

 

[lenny flank]

  (I use the water for pee pee only.. NO POOP into the tank)  Most of the trouble begins with MIXING the two when it comes to Stank! eww. 

This is vital to remember. Pee has lots of nitrates. Poop has lots of bacteria. For bacteria, "nitrates" = "food". So when pee mixes with poop, the bacteria have a never-ending party, and do what bacteria do. Pew.

 

[ORANGE]

Thank you so much for all the info!

Ive also been searching the net.  So I think I either need to make my own really quick or buy the smaller portapotti and be done with it..

To build, this video is my inspiration plus everything Ive learned here.



So I'll get the metal garbage can, or I will get a 5 gallon/3 gallon with a gamma lid. That will be for poop storage.

For the toilet, a 2 or 3 gallon bucket with those foam noodles, cut to go partially around the rim of the toilet, only that which would take weight.  Then a funnel that can be placed/pressed in the right place for urine.  I plan to find a flexible hose (smooth, no ridges) to atttach to funnel, or ready made then I will  DRILL/CUT a hole through the bucket for the funnel to come out of the bucket and then , the urine to go into a laundry soap or coffee jug or whatever.  So a manual seperator.    Dont know if this is translating well to make sense!  But poop stored in one container, cant decide on shavings or kitty litter in a gamma container. 

Anyways either Ill give up this week and order the small porta potti for a hundred buck or Ill have handy dandy homemade toilet hybred.

OH WAIT better thought, Ill get one of those folding toilet chair things, and then make a diverter out of that That would be easier, cuz the bag can be pulled away from the front, still be held in good, then the funnel diverter going out the front to a hard container.

 

[Matlock]

Next... found some plastic bags that fit nicely 8 gallon is  good size.  Dollar Store cheapies are fine. (helps if you gather and tie the square bottom of bag); put in a little cat litter and wa la.

Ok, "gather and tie the bottom" is an excellent tip. Eliminates the air trapped in corners.  :thumbsup:


In other discussions many recommend and use a plastic 5 gal bucket as their toilet seat and storage container using a screw-on lid. Maybe my nose is more sensitive than most but anything that goes into a plastic bag and is tied up and left in a plastic bucket with a sealed lid for even a day leaves a stench in that bucket for - ever. No amount of cleaning product of any kind, will remove the smell that has leached into a plastic bucket. The only containers I've been able to find that will not absorb an odor are either glass (ceramic) or metal.  So now I need to chase down a metal bucket with a screw-on lid.

 

[ORANGE]

Mornin'

I think metal is the way to go, I mean gone.  So here is a link to a metal can https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...vanized-sheet-steel-garbage-pail?cm_vc=-10005    I like that this lid locks by having the handle up.
 here is what I think of doing.  Getting the small plastic silicone bead that is supposed to be for windows and either put it on top the lip of the can or glued to the inside of the lid as a seal.   Really I am not someone who makes things.  So Im sure anyone else can think of better.  The only thing that could absorb smells is the sealant you use.

Ill be shopping for lots of stuff today!

Wait! Just found 6 gallon https://www.lowes.com/search?searchTerm=steel+trash+can

 

[maki2]

I just got a Gamma Seal lid from my local hardware store for just under $10.00, less than the price of going out for a meal in your average kind of bistro.

 

[maki2]

You would think humans could figure out how to bury their waste in a hole they dig and then cover it with dirt by watching a cat do it. You have miles of desert out there. Just don't do it right next to where you or other people are camping. Go to the BLM website and do a search on "cat holes"

 

[ORANGE]

A Libman Clean and Rinse bucket under 20 bucks. Dont know if it can take weight, but I'll go look at one today.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/libman-3-g...EHBF3L9HqZdsU6iVSkE6eRYx1zibH-7BoCi_wQAvD_BwE

This is 10 bucks.

 

[ckelly78z]

I have never done this, but I believe many here use cat holes out in nature, and choose not to share that information with you.

 

[B and C]

Why would you care if the bucket absorbed odors? That is what the sealed lid is for, to keep the odors in. No matter what you use, when the lid is taken off, there will be odors for the duration. Another reason to have good ventilation is so the smell doesn't linger.

 

[cyndi]

I store mine in a trash bag, away from my rig and out of the sun.

Don't over think it

 

[B and C]

Just be sure to take it with you when you leave. You don't want to find someone else's mess and they sure don't want to find yours.

 

[ORANGE]

So I went out today and bought way too much stuff seeing to try this or that.

Well it all went back and Im left with a gamma lid and $ tree noodle and Walmart bakery 5 gallon and 2 gallon bucket for a buck a piece.

But I'll tell ya, seeing that porta potti at Walmart for 75 https://www.walmart.com/ip/Thetford...FyZ38AX15mFuLCRmafyrfWQ7Hwcgk1fhoCB7wQAvD_BwE      made me think.

Why cant the 5 gallon bucket with gamma seal be used as a porta potti?

Why not buy the chemical stuff that you put in a porta potti and instead put it in the bucket.  Those icing buckets have good handles, why not carrry the bucket and dump it?  Same as you would a porta potty.  When it gets to where you think it is getting unweildy/heavy, go dump it.  Thinking of myself here, Im not so strong.

I figure there must be a good reason why not because I havent seen anyone make a video or discuss it.

Anyone?

 

[maki2]

The city of Portland Oregon has put together a great pdf for a temporary emergency toilet system using two 5 gallon buckets. They have a very sensible and sane explanation of the whole thing in their article.
https://www.portlandoregon.gov/pbem/article/394125

Here is an excerpt of what they have to say about how much poo gets produced in what amount of time. "the great thing about poo is that it doesnʼt take up much space. Each of us produces only 4-10 oz daily. It takes a couple of weeks for 3 people to fill the bucket with poo and carbon matter" So that means one person could manage about 6 weeks with one 5 gallon poo bucket. That means 14 days will not be an issue for a solo traveler.

Just follow their advice on how to set up the poo bucket. Of course for van dwelling you only need one poo bucket and a lidded jar to pee into. That is a better space saver. People who live in houses often have more available space and more persons of both sexes so the pee bucket plus the poo bucket works well in that situation.