Porta potty ideas

Talk about your camp or project's LNT plans (and MOOP problems) here. Discuss cleanup tips. Ask questions or share ideas on what works and what doesn't.
Icepack
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Porta potty ideas

Post by Icepack » Wed Feb 18, 2004 7:15 pm

Just saw in Sportsmens Guide a cardboard and plastic portapotty. It's a cardboard box with a cardboard toilet seat on top with a plastic garbage bag liner. You replace the bags as needed. It sells for about $10.97. Seems like a cheap solution to the "oh my god the portapotties are overflowing" problems that seem to occur at 2am. But it does strike me that it may be a bit ah.. smelly and gross. Has anyone bought one of these before? What did you think?

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Bob
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Post by Bob » Wed Feb 18, 2004 7:37 pm

I think you could do pretty much the same thing with an old paint bucket and a trash-compactor bag, if you were so inclined.
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unjonharley
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Post by unjonharley » Wed Feb 18, 2004 9:09 pm

Just got a plastic toilet lid that snaps onto 5gl. bucket. The name for this one is Luggable Lue.6
I'm the contraptioneer your mother warned you about.

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ibdave
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jots don't like your idea

Post by ibdave » Wed Feb 18, 2004 10:15 pm

not to rain on your idea, but the fine folks at johnny on the spot wish that you don't dump your crap in your plastic bags into the crappers. The plastic bags plug the hose when they pump..

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rodent
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Post by rodent » Wed Feb 18, 2004 11:35 pm

...if you really wanna haul your own crap home... (keeping in the leave no trace ethos), more power to ya.

If you're just gonna dump that plastic bag into a porta pottie...
... um, where were you camped again...? I got a couple of people who would like to "talk" to you...

---
rodent (putting the eek in geek)

Icepack
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portapotty

Post by Icepack » Thu Feb 19, 2004 6:13 am

unjonharley wrote:Just got a plastic toilet lid that snaps onto 5gl. bucket. The name for this one is Luggable Lue.6
Yes, we had one of those types of things last year. The advantage with the cardboard is that it packs flat on the trip to the playa, and when you are done, you can burn the cardboard. So it takes less space in the vehicle.

Icepack
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portapotty

Post by Icepack » Thu Feb 19, 2004 6:14 am

rodent wrote:...if you really wanna haul your own crap home... (keeping in the leave no trace ethos), more power to ya.

If you're just gonna dump that plastic bag into a porta pottie...
... um, where were you camped again...? I got a couple of people who would like to "talk" to you...

---
rodent (putting the eek in geek)
Not at all! I'd put the plastic bags into one of those buckets with the industrial-never going to open this bucket again type lids and haul it out to the Fernley Transfer station after the event.

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unjonharley
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Post by unjonharley » Thu Feb 19, 2004 8:00 am

Thanks Icepack, I like the plastic for my sweet butt. I don't mind carreing my crap ""If I have to use it"". I also carry a 2gal paint bucket w/lid. Just take it to the p.p. in the morning no sweat.
I'm the contraptioneer your mother warned you about.

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robbidobbs
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Hauling crap

Post by robbidobbs » Mon Apr 19, 2004 10:34 am

As Chief Poopervisor of the Pottie Project, I do NOT recommend using personal potties for anything other than midnight piddle sessions. Shit is Hazardous Material, and can be a pain to deal with when tired, drunk, etc. I personally use a 5 gallon utility bucket with a snap on toilet lid. Be careful that it doesn't spill. I had to weigh mine down with a water jug. When you need to poop, just hike to the JotS boxes and you'll not have to deal with it at all. Thank you for your contribution.
Also, you are in a community, and the port-o-lets are a community resource. You'll get to meet people, read my signs, participate in sing-a-longs, and make joyful underleg noises while you wait.

Overflow isn't a problem really anymore. If people stopped puting grey water in the Temples of Excremeditation, there would be even less of an issue.
And remember Campers:
Poo-poo, pee-pee, and the Tee-pee.
Not the foodstuffs that's gone creepy.
No shoes, no shirts, no tampons seepy.
Please be neat and wipe the seaty.
I'll be in my blanket fort until further notice.

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Contain yourself!

Post by XS » Tue Apr 27, 2004 4:12 pm

Forget about the cardboard and taping together your own cheap-ass portapottie. Spend a little more for the real deal. Sears has a small camp pottie in two tank sizes, that comes with a separable storage tank that can easily be dumped into the Johnnies. It's relatively airtight, no smell, and comes with the magic blue sanitizer liquid that helps break it all down into a lovely swill. Just remember to use the special single ply toitie paper. I spent about $60 or $70 bucks for my own little piece of porta pottie heaven. Saved my ass... Don't mean to offend any of the easily offended, but that's once experience I didn't want to share with 30,000 other burners.

Keep it real. Keep it clean. Lava los manos.

XS
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_tears_
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Post by _tears_ » Tue Apr 27, 2004 9:32 pm

In 2003 i never had a problem with the porta potties over flowing or even being too full. i am a big germ-a-phobe so i did bring my own 1ply paper and seat covers ( which got burned not tossed in ) and rubber gloves ( true germ-a-phobe )
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unjonharley
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Post by unjonharley » Sat May 01, 2004 4:38 pm

XS wrote: <snip> those damn things are heavy. You fill the outer tank with water. Then you add your shiit to it and you have a hand full. I sold mine at this springs garage sale. Walk your lazy ass to the pot and save the space for some fun stuff.
I'm the contraptioneer your mother warned you about.

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Bling
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Post by Bling » Mon Jun 07, 2010 6:37 am

Two words: WAG bags.

As reenactors, we've used zillions of porta potties, and know it can be hard to keep up with them at large events. We bought a "Luggable Loo" (basically a sturdier 5-gallon bucket with a toilet seat and two lids to keep odors down.

WAG bags are "waste kits" that contain:
-- A large, sturdy plastic bag filled with powder similar to what's used in disposable diapers
-- A small bit of TP
-- A wet wipe
-- A ziploc bag for disposal

You place the large plastic bag in your loo of choice, and can then use it 4-5 times for liquid or solid waste. I tested it out this weekend (liquids only), and it worked like a charm. The powder turned the pee into a solid, odorless gel. After 5 uses, I just pulled out the large bag, tied it shut, and closed it inside the ziploc bag. The whole system is then APPROVED FOR LANDFILL USE. Yes, you can toss it out with regular garbage. WAG bags are AWESOME!. I bought a case of them somewhere online, plus some extra "poo powder" on eBay for additional odor control. We'll bring along an old stainless trashcan with a lid for disposal and pack the whole works out.

Problem solved![/b]

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AntiM
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Post by AntiM » Mon Jun 07, 2010 6:45 am

unjonharley wrote:Just got a plastic toilet lid that snaps onto 5gl. bucket. The name for this one is Luggable Lue.6
We have one of those. Mostly it rides on the semi with MyLarry. He doesn't use it, but when I ride, I don't want to get dressed to go into the truckstop, or sometime I have to go NOW and stopping a semi sin't always an option. We bring it to Burning Man for midnight emergencies, although since I can wander down to the potties in just a coat, I don't mind going.

I'm not a germaphobe anymore. Not after a month of truckstops.

For the most part, the potties are quite clean. The worst ones are when people do not sit down. If you sit down, you cannot poo or pee on the seat. If you're going to hover above, flip the damn seat up. You're not using it, so why dirty it? Same for puking, tip the seat up.

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Post by ConnieH » Mon Jun 07, 2010 8:21 am

The only time last year I encountered really gross portapotties was later in the week, very late at night, at the potties on the playa or near the big sound camps. Back at 4 & D the potties weren't nearly as bad and never overflowing - the porta-pottie crews do a fine job, and I try to time my business to just after they've cleaned them in the morning. I keep a bucket in the yurt for 3am peeing, I'm usually too lazy or drunk or can't find my headlight to stumble to the portapotties that late at night.

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Bling
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Post by Bling » Mon Jun 07, 2010 8:26 am

I'm pretty sure I can't poop in a Porta Potty, however clean it is--at least, it's never been possible before. While I can pee anywhere, my guts are, apparently, extremely particular about location. If I'm away for a few days, they will wait until they reach home potty. So, convenience and concerns about exploding when gone for a week prompted the potty purchase.

WAG bags rock!!!!

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Post by mudpuppy000 » Mon Jun 07, 2010 8:32 am

Yeah, I found them pretty clean last year, all over BRC. They did a great job. A few times there wasn't any TP, so good to bring some along with you just in case.

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AntiM
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Post by AntiM » Mon Jun 07, 2010 8:54 am

Bling wrote:I'm pretty sure I can't poop in a Porta Potty, however clean it is--at least, it's never been possible before. While I can pee anywhere, my guts are, apparently, extremely particular about location. If I'm away for a few days, they will wait until they reach home potty. So, convenience and concerns about exploding when gone for a week prompted the potty purchase.

WAG bags rock!!!!
Yikes. TMI time! I am lucky, I can go anywhere, but yeah, my guts get choosy too now and then. Ever since the surgery, I have to make sure they're happy guts. For me this means fiber powder, although fiber bars are a good option. Those little fake flavored creamer cups for coffee? I can't touch them on the playa or I'm going going going. The combination of heat, exhaustion, change in diet, and slight dehydration can make it tough to go; so if you know you may have trouble, be prepared with foods or fiber supplements which will help things along.

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Post by MistressSybs » Mon Jun 07, 2010 9:07 am

AntiM wrote:
unjonharley wrote:Just got a plastic toilet lid that snaps onto 5gl. bucket. The name for this one is Luggable Lue.6
We have one of those. Mostly it rides on the semi with MyLarry. He doesn't use it, but when I ride, I don't want to get dressed to go into the truckstop, or sometime I have to go NOW and stopping a semi sin't always an option. We bring it to Burning Man for midnight emergencies, although since I can wander down to the potties in just a coat, I don't mind going.

I'm not a germaphobe anymore. Not after a month of truckstops.

For the most part, the potties are quite clean. The worst ones are when people do not sit down. If you sit down, you cannot poo or pee on the seat. If you're going to hover above, flip the damn seat up. You're not using it, so why dirty it? Same for puking, tip the seat up.
I'll be the first one to say I prefer hovering... and this is EXACTLY what I do... I tip the seat up - I do this in clubs already... no sense making it nastier than it is right?

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Post by C.f.M. » Mon Jun 07, 2010 9:12 am

As long as you clean up any mess you make, from "hovering."

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ygmir
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Post by ygmir » Mon Jun 07, 2010 9:26 am

yeah, I carry a pump bottle of lysol , and, clean the JOT before I use it, and, after, so as to leave it clean and fresh for the next person.
Just carry a small spray bottle with lysol liquid. easy, and, nice for whomever is next.
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shroom
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Post by shroom » Mon Jun 07, 2010 9:57 am

My campmate & I have decided to get a luggable loo for those late night really gotta go pee times. I read somewhere that some people bring soil or cat litter to put in it to soak up the pee? Is that what any of you do?

I've been to many NASCAR races, and the BM potties have got to be cleaner than the ones at a race track parking lot! Drunken race fans can stink up a pottie quick!
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Bling
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Post by Bling » Mon Jun 07, 2010 10:02 am

Shroom, read up a few posts about WAG bags. Kitty litter will stink. These don't.

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Post by AntiM » Mon Jun 07, 2010 10:03 am

Shroom, we use liner bags and a dash of mouthwash. Mostly it never gets used, and only for pee, which is easy to clean out after. The trick is to not let waste sit in it all day in the heat. I don't care what you use, it will smell bad.

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Post by theCryptofishist » Mon Jun 07, 2010 10:07 am

Bling wrote:I'm pretty sure I can't poop in a Porta Potty, however clean it is--at least, it's never been possible before. While I can pee anywhere, my guts are, apparently, extremely particular about location. If I'm away for a few days, they will wait until they reach home potty.
I used to be like that. It'll catch up with you and then stop when it gets backed up enough.
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Bling
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Post by Bling » Mon Jun 07, 2010 10:10 am

What do you mean it will catch up with you and stop? How did that work for you--and what makes it different now?

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Savannah
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Post by Savannah » Mon Jun 07, 2010 10:15 am

yeah, I carry a pump bottle of lysol , and, clean the JOT before I use it, and, after, so as to leave it clean and fresh for the next person.
Just carry a small spray bottle with lysol liquid. easy, and, nice for whomever is next.
That's a pretty cool idea. I do see mini lysol sprays bundled with the larger cans in stores. Perfect.

That reminds me--in 2009, I was gifted a small homemade Looney Tunes-print bag with a long cord strap by my neighbors. I decided that this was a "Biffy Bag", i.e. a place for a travel roll of 1-ply Charmin (sold for $1/roll the travel section of drugstores, & for $1.40 at REI, haha!) plus a small bottle of hand sanitizer. It was really nice to have a little bag for idle daytime trips to the bathroom. At night I could clip a small hands-free light to it.

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Bling
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Post by Bling » Mon Jun 07, 2010 10:18 am

Headlamps are also hands-free for night-time potty trips. :D

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C.f.M.
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Post by C.f.M. » Mon Jun 07, 2010 10:21 am

Bling wrote:Shroom, read up a few posts about WAG bags. Kitty litter will stink. These don't.
I've used the bucket/litter method for...gosh, at least 10 or so camping trips, never had a single problem with odor. Including traveling back with the toilet bag in the car.

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Bling
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Post by Bling » Mon Jun 07, 2010 10:25 am

What brand of kitty litter do you use? I need to try it at home!

Have you heard back about your ticket yet?

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