In some very rare cases, urinating or defecating in public places can result in charges like indecent exposure or public lewdness, which can result in registering as a sex offender for the rest of your life. [2] X Research source Of course, there are circumstances when hiking or camping where you must relieve yourself even on public land. It is vitally important that you use common sense and ensure that you are in a relatively secluded area when you relieve yourself outdoors.
You will need a small trowel or hand shovel for digging a hole to bury feces, a roll of toilet paper, and a plastic bag to cart out used toilet paper when you leave. You will also need waterless hand sanitizer or biodegradable soap and water. Soap and water are always preferable.
Choose a place that is well hidden from passersby, preferably with the cover of trees. Choose a place that is at least 200 feet away from water sources like lakes or streams, and away from campsites or other places where other people are likely to discover it. [4] X Trustworthy Source US National Park Service Agency responsible for the maintenance and promotion of national parks and monuments Go to source Try to find a place with soft soil for digging.
Put your used toilet paper in the plastic bag you’ve brought with you, then seal it and put it in another plastic bag to conceal the smell. Take it all out with you and dispose of it when you find a trash can, or when you get home. [6] X Trustworthy Source US National Park Service Agency responsible for the maintenance and promotion of national parks and monuments Go to source Avoid burying your toilet paper to leave as little impact on the environment as possible.
Don’t forget to bring your supplies, including toilet paper, plastic bags, and hand sanitizer.
Set your pants and underwear on a dry spot on the ground or a nearby bush. Don’t put them too close to you or you may soil them.
If you’re wearing pants, be careful not to let things fall out of your pocket as you squat.
If you prefer not to squat, you can try the steps in How to Urinate Standing up As a Female.
Don’t forget to use the hand sanitizer you’ve brought.
Carry disposable products out with you. Tampons, pads, and their associated packaging cannot be disposed of in outhouses, and cannot be buried in catholes like feces. [8] X Research source Put the used products in the bag you brought for this purpose and dispose of it in a trashcan later. The associated clean packaging can be kept with your other trash or in the same bag as used products. Put menstrual cup contents into a cathole or outhouse. Dispose of contents of menstrual cups the same way you are handling poop - either buried six inches deep or in an outhouse. When you rinse it, use only water that is clean enough that you would drink it. Do not use untreated water - it would be better to empty it and reinsert without rinsing at all. Rinse reusable pads well and let them dry if possible. Keep them somewhere they won’t stay soaking wet if possible, and if not put them in a plastic bag and clean them when you return from the outdoors later.
