Trash disposal "Bring it in, take it out"

[Tincup]

Before I begin I want to say these are just my observations, &nbsp;in no way am I accusing any individual or group. I am &nbsp;simply stating, fact after several years of observing the behavior&nbsp;of people. &nbsp;If for some reason you are offended by by observations, and you pack out your trash, why are you offended?<div><br></div><div>We are located at Slab City and have been coming here for over 5 years, we're rookies, we spent this past summer here and look forward to the upcoming summer. &nbsp;We stay here because we like it and want the solitude, independence, freedom and free&nbsp;expression&nbsp;the Slabs affords, not because we have to. &nbsp;We are retired after 52 years of hard work and have earned everything we have. &nbsp;Now, that being said here are my observations.</div><div><br></div><div>I'd like to start by saying that I am confident everyone reading this does pack out what they pack in. &nbsp;Unfortunately, there are many people who do not subscribe this process, and I am perplexed to understand why?</div><div><br></div><div>I have seen folks arrive in nice SUV's, vans, small RV's and&nbsp;hitchhikers. &nbsp;They'll set up there tent in a secluded area, maintain a neat, clean campsite, build a small fire ring and enjoy there time here. &nbsp;But when they leave, I'll find a small or large, trash bag neatly tied up sitting next to a Creosote bush, as if they thought Waste Management would make a pick up on Monday and Wednesdays<img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/confused.gif">. The irony of this is that in all likely hood there next stop will be a gas station, rest area or their stick house, all of which have trash pickup.</div><div><br></div><div>Why do they do that?</div><div><br></div><div>Another thing I see is they will leave pop/beer bottles and aluminum cans in various stages of the melting process, in their neat fire pit. &nbsp;I guess they don't realize the melting point of your average pop bottle is around 2600F, aluminum is around 1220F, they ain't gonna achieve that temperature by burning creosote sticks<img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/crazy.gif">! &nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Why do they do that?</div><div><br></div><div>Along this same line, they'll leave empty oil cans in the fire pit, fortunately, most of them don't try to burn the plastic to get it back to it's original molecular state.</div><div><br></div><div>Why do they do that?</div><div><br></div><div>I have confronted people on these issues and have gotten responses ranging from "Mind your own F%$#ing business to I see other trash around so I thought it was OK, to I don't want to carry trash in my vehicle, it smells!!</div><div><br></div><div>Why do they do that?</div><div><br></div><div>Oh well, maybe I'm just being too critical and I should start burning Wal-Mart bags full of trash, and stop recycling bottles and cans. . . .NOT<img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif">!</div><div><br></div><div>Please don't take offense, this is not meant to offend anyone but . . . if the shoe fits<img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif"></div><div><br></div><div>Why do they do that?</div><div><br></div><div>'Cup</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>

 

[Guest]

Hi Tin Cup,<br>&nbsp;Well my friend, because they are idiots I'm afraid...<br><br>I think you are "preaching to the choir here". Other than one very disturbed and ill individual, everyone I have camped with that I met through the vandwelling sites have left camp in spotless condition and often with any other trash picked up as well.<br><br>For several summers I was paid by the feds for picking up trash in a US Fish and Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. In those days they paid me $16 an hour to pick up the trash left by my fellow human beings in campgrounds and along the roadsides....I was astonished at the amount of used disposable baby diapers, buttwad, cans and bottles, and every other kind of crap....I think Bob can tell a story or two of his experiences as a camp host along the same lines...<br><br>I can only answer your question with more questions&nbsp; about why we insist on destroying our environment on every level.<br><br>Bri<br><br>

 

[akrvbob]

I'm with you guys, it is incomprehensible to me as well. I have never knowingly left trash behind. I'm sure at some time some has got away without my knowing it, but never on purpose. I have to agree with you about the slabs, worst i have seen anywhere. <br><br>But, trying to find a bright side, it does seem like they are becoming the minority. Most people make an effort to pack it out, it's just those few who damage so much. Bob<br><br>

 

[1oleman]

<P>When my late wife and I started full-timing in June of 09, I couldn't beleive the trash left everytime people left.&nbsp; We lived in a nice TVA campground in East Tennessee and most of the people respected clean living but there were those who left all theie trash in the fire rings.&nbsp; Never could understand the "someone will pick up after me" mentality.&nbsp; Ed&nbsp;</P>

 

[akrvbob]

That is so true Ed! I am a campground host and very often people will leave the campsite clean, but their trash in the firepit. Well, I can't leave it there for the next camper to be stuck with it, so I put it in the trash. I think those people believe they are doing a good thing. The next camper will be glad to use it as a firestarter and burn it. What I really hate is the cans and glass left in the firepit. Is there anybody that doesn't know that they don't burn and they will just have to be dug out and put in the trash?! Very inconsiderate! Bob<br>

 

[jeanontheroad]

Hmm. Old thread, but this mindset is what made my grandfather start running campers out of his woods, sometimes with the help of a couple of big, bad tempered dogs and a shotgun. Hobos had camped there for a couple decades, sometimes just passing thru and sometimes staying to work for the local farmers for a while. He never had any trouble with them. Then, the hippy vans started showing up. They dumped oil on the ground or into the creek, tore up the trees, left piles of garbage and feces everywhere, stole tools out of his barn and a set of sheets off the clothesline and gasoline from his construction yard, and generally made pests of themselves. I'm sure they thought of themselves as social rebels and free spirits. That's not how the locals thought about them.