Storage of rubbish in the pack

[flatfoot]

I'm sure that many people here would have good tips, techniques and strategies to share for the way they manage rubbish in their packs.

I was thinking that it would be best to stuff food scraps in an airtight disposable container and dry paper, foil wrappers, plastics in separate container.

What have you found works best for you?

If you use containers, what sort of containers do you use?

[tomberli]

One of the best ways to store rubbish I think is to get one or more garbage bags - on a longer walk you can separate foods from plastics or maybe even paper. And then buy a stuff-sac (like for a sleeping bag) and compress the rubbish in there while you're walking. That way its all nice and compact and doesn't get out of control.

[Son of a Beach]

I've always just put all rubbish in a single zip-lock bag. On longer walks, I'll take multiple zip lock bags, and when one gets full, I'll compress it, re-seal it, and stuff it in another while ultra compressed (with a lot of weight on it). This leaves it double-bagged, and held very compressed. When the next one gets full, I ultra-compress it, and stuff it in the same bag as the first one. I can fit two or three compressed full zip lock bags in another single one.

[flatfoot]

Some great "rubbish tips" here

Compressing the rubbish seems to be the general approach. Is there a particular brand of zip-lock bags that you prefer to use? Sometimes the zips can be hard to lock or they pop open.

Does anyone have any disasters that they care to share?

[Son of a Beach]

One tip... if you ever use commercial freeze dried meals or anything else with packaging that can have sharp edges, make sure you fold/roll the packaging such that there are no exposed corners, as these can put holes in your rubbish bag (especially if you pack the rubbish in tight).

[stu]

I use one of these:
http://www.seatosummit.com.au/showdetai ... ode=TRASHD
It can be strapped to the outside of your pack, tho I just usually store mine under the lid, ie. outside of the main compartment.
Effectively just a dry bag built for garbage.

[Ent]

I use one of these:
http://www.seatosummit.com.au/showdetai ... ode=TRASHD
It can be strapped to the outside of your pack, tho I just usually store mine under the lid, ie. outside of the main compartment.
Effectively just a dry bag built for garbage.

I use one but it is a bit heavy but solid so good for the waste that has "smell" and also makes for quick clean up at home. Never really trust zip lock bags for stuff that can leak though ok for dry waste.

Cheers Brett

[Son of a Beach]

Of course, as I'm sure many others do, I have very little rubbish to carry out because I'm careful about what I carry in. When packing food, any unnecessary packaging is removed. My full rubbish bags generally contain little more than empty zip-lock bags and tough-foil/plastic packaging that some items come in. A few food scraps, if I've brought fresh vegetables, but that's generally only for short walks, so doesn't get too smelly, and I try to prepare these ahead of time also, as much as can be done without ruining them (some veges can be pre-pealed and/or pre-chopped without any problem, a couple of days before you actually use them).

[flatfoot]

I use one of these:
http://www.seatosummit.com.au/showdetai ... ode=TRASHD
It can be strapped to the outside of your pack, tho I just usually store mine under the lid, ie. outside of the main compartment.
Effectively just a dry bag built for garbage.

A great suggestion. I've add this to my list of gear to consider purchasing.

[geoskid]

Yeah - I just make sure I don't take unnecsessary packaging and carry a few coles/woolies shopping bags - scrunch up to very little and if I take one or two home unused so be it. Mostly my food is in Ziplocks and the rubbish just goes into one or two of them - yes and with care to not puncture the Ziplocks with anything.
Hav'nt done multi day walks(over two) - so can see how a bag for the purpose(such as the StoS)would be more sturdy - however I see the key to walking bliss as keeping the volume of rubbish (and escaping smells) to the bare minimum.

[sthughes]

I usually carry some food in a zip lok bag anyway so as soon as that's eaten the bag becomes the rubbish bag. Then like SOB & Geoskid really.

[Singe]

I've always just put all rubbish in a single zip-lock bag. On longer walks, I'll take multiple zip lock bags, and when one gets full, I'll compress it, re-seal it, and stuff it in another while ultra compressed (with a lot of weight on it). This leaves it double-bagged, and held very compressed. When the next one gets full, I ultra-compress it, and stuff it in the same bag as the first one. I can fit two or three compressed full zip lock bags in another single one.

I do the same; by the time the first bag is full I generally have one or two empty ones that had food etc in them. Also means that once it's getting smelly you have started a new bag and don't open the stinky one again.

I have used a dry bag in the past but with rubbish double-bagged haven't had any leakage so don't bother with the extra weight any more. I put the bag inside the pack but outside the rain liner.

[songairen]

Our rubbish is stored in the same zip-lock bags our food is packed in- and the older rubbish gets progressively more wrapped as time goes on. This was fine for our last 3 week trip although it does depend on what food you bring- if all your food is dehydrated/dry and cooked/hydrated in your pots then the rubbish will only smell if it gets wet.