Baby-wipes don't go in porta-potties

robbidobbs · Post by **robbidobbs** » Tue May 02, 2006 11:26 am

This year the Pottie People will be stressing baby-wipes and how they are very, very bad for porta-potties.

Last year there was an ad campaign (Scott I think) that promoted personal wipes, and our fair city was flooded with this scurge. We broke down their equipment, and slowed down the cleaning process.

I personally use baby wipes (aka "whoopy-wipes") at my camp. I keep them in a gallon sized zip-loc baggie, and at the end of the week, I burn them. Bottom line: if you use them, dispose of them properly.

Why they don't go into the porta-potties: they are not made of one-ply paper, they don't dissolve fast enough, and they turn into glue in the blue digestive enzyme shmoo.

Even the one's that are clearly labelled "flushable" don't dissolve completely, and they gum up the cleaning equipment.

Ultimately, picking baby-wipe debris out of gears slows down the cleaning process, and frankly is a major icky drag.

If you do nothing else to help keep our potties welcoming for the next person, leave them at your camp and talk to people about baby-wipes if you see them at the johns.

JotS will thank you, and so will a lot of people.

Box Burner · Post by **Box Burner** » Tue May 02, 2006 11:24 pm

Sounds simple enough. So if you gotta have 'em you are probably going to be carrying them in a little plastic baggie. So carry an extra baggie in your ditty bag to put the used ones in. Then carry them back to camp so you can dispose of them properly. I do this when I am out hiking, see no reason why it would not work here.

robbidobbs · Post by **robbidobbs** » Wed May 03, 2006 9:17 am

Perfect.
Thank you.

One idea that was put forth last year was to make Camp Baggies.
You take a freezer ziploc bag, draw art on it, and give them away at porta-pottie banks.

Ziplock bags, like duct-tape, are a fundamental essential of the Playa.

Desert Duck · Post by **Desert Duck** » Wed May 03, 2006 1:54 pm

I have a couple of those clear zipper bags that started out life as packaging for a pillow or set of sheets, I keep my bathroom stuff in those, keeps the dust down to a great degree. And my wipes never leave my tent.

(nudge)

robbidobbs · Post by **robbidobbs** » Sun May 14, 2006 9:16 pm

Oh, that's so perfect.

Thanks Ducky

robbidobbs · Post by **robbidobbs** » Mon May 29, 2006 11:18 am

Last night I was talking with a friend who wanted to know how I advertise the pottie issue to participants.
I've been doing this since December 2000, and have been adamant about not going the path of "No, Stop, and Don't", because I felt that that kind of negative message would get the opposite effect.
Now given that the newbie poplulation ratio isn't greater last year than in years past, there is a substantial number that just doesn't get it. They either fail to read the signs or are so selfish as to not grasp that they apply to them.

What do you think of having about half the signs be unequivacably clear messages like:
NO BABY WIPES IN THE PORTA-POTTIES
STOP PUTING BABY WIPES IN THE PORTA-POTTIES
DON'T PUT BABY WIPES IN THE PORTA-POTTIES

Sure it's in your face, and not very "burner-like", but we had a bad problem with this issue last year, and I am simply at a loss about how best to get this critical message out to those who insist on using them and dropping them into the camodes.

SO I put it to you...should I approach advertising the message in a humorous way, or a "negative" way?

I can't help it, but I do get angry about this negligence and short-sightedness, and the message just isn't getting into everyone's head.
Attraction with honey doesn't seem to be working.

Lassen Forge · Post by **Lassen Forge** » Mon May 29, 2006 12:34 pm

Altho it's not very burny, if the issue is danced around people, who by general nature seem, for the most part, to be clueless, will not get the nuances of, in the instance of signs, something light, frivolous, or whimsical, to gather the deeper meaning, of the general message, that baby wipes, while cool and soothing, should not be deposited in the porta potties, because it's not nice, nor is it good for the equipment, most of which people have no concept thereof, and may endanger the future of this burning man event, of which they are now participants therein, and...

Now. How far did you get in the above diatribe before you thougtht to yourself, "Jeez, bb, shut the fuck up and get to the point!" >giggles<

I think direct and tough is good. It lets people know that "BABY WIPES FUCK SHIT UP!" or "NO BABY WIPES ALLOWED", while coarse and harsh, send a very clear message to people who may not get the nuances otherwise, or are too busy emptying bladders or tushes. Esp. Newbies who come to this like a concert, rather than our city. People need simple and direct nowdays. Sorry, but true.

Big Sans-Serif Red and White signs in the potties - "NO BABY WIPES - $10,000 FINE + EJECTION FROM BRC" - people would recognize and not violate. At least get people to pay attention. Put part of the "Fear" of this year's theme into their hearts.

This can be played into, too, with troops of Jackbooted, uniformed JOTS-cops. Since we're emulating the 30's era (which was famous for it's burgeoning fascism) this year, it'd fit.

On the other hand - doesn't mean give up the Potty Carols, tho. I rather loved that!!! (Jackbooted Neo-fascist porta potty carolers. Kinda like the famous movie "The Sound of Macerators". I can see it now!)

bb

Rockdad · Post by **Rockdad** » Mon May 29, 2006 12:36 pm

I had a job re-wiring a kitchen once at a families house no toilet paper at all just baby wipes near the commodes people like this that think they need this "crap" for the tushie are not going to pack out soiled wipes.

Found this today too. Apparently these spoiled butt peeps need the wipes warm too! Just found out they make warmers for these things and one burned down a house!

http://cms.firehouse.com/content/articl ... 5&id=39079

Lassen Forge · Post by **Lassen Forge** » Mon May 29, 2006 12:47 pm

Rockdad wrote:...

Found this today too. Apparently these spoiled butt peeps need the wipes warm too! Just found out they make warmers for these things and one burned down a house!

And some people say there is no God... >grins<

bb

__________
For it was written:
Death to the Infidel
Who put baby wipes
in the JOTS this year.

robbidobbs · Post by **robbidobbs** » Wed May 31, 2006 10:25 pm

Feh!
Fucking yuppie-fucks.
Thanks for the poetry.

Rockdad · Post by **Rockdad** » Wed May 31, 2006 10:35 pm

Propylene glycol has severe adverse health effects. It caused skin rash, deafness, kidney damage, and liver problems in scientific and animal studies. This chemical damages cell membranes, leading to rashes, dry skin and surface damage of the skin. One researcher advises caution when propylene glycol is used on the skin, even in the laboratory. Another study warns that animals and humans are both at risk when taking medicines containing propylene glycol.
Why Haven’t I heard About These Harmful Chemicals Before Now?
Information on these damaging chemicals has been available for several years, but it hasn’t been publicized outside the medical community. Your own doctor probably doesn’t know about this problem yet (you may want to show him or her this flyer).
Our research indicates that it can take up to 20 years for scientific health information to become general knowledge. Certain companies are already taking steps (look for baby wipes that have aloe, because many of these have no propylene glycol). You will be hearing about this problem. But you don’t have to wait to protect your family! There are safe products you can buy right now. In some cases-the safe products will even cost less. Don’t wait for the evening news in the year 2001 to warn you about this real risk to your children’s health. Safeguard yourself and your family today.
http://antiagingchoices.com/infant_chil ... angers.htm

Single ply toilet paper has no known adverse health effects

Mozy bonz · Post by **Mozy bonz** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 7:19 pm