Our Environment - Are we part of the Problem or the Solution?

Submitted: Friday, May 13, 2016 at 23:21
ThreadID: 132405 Views:4329 Replies:14 FollowUps:20
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I must take issue with the following quote from Newsletter 433

"when in remote bush camp its generally ok (when no other campers are around) to incinerate waste in a very hot campfire at end of night - only burn fully degradable/flammable products and never leave metal tins or any residue hazards in a fire pit. Doing this nightly so you only have small scraps rather than a huge plastic bonfire at the end of a week is preferable to minimise toxic pollution"

and to a lesser extent the contents of ExplorOz's Travel Etiquette article.
(Sorry Michelle or Adele)

I would think that the people that frequent this site would consider themselves "environmentalists". That is, we have a love for our beautiful country and we want it to remain that way. We follow the principle of "Tread Lightly" and like to depart places we visit leaving no evidence of us having been there.

We all enjoy the campfire, but we should treat it as a privilege not a right, or we will lose it. It is illegal to burn rubbish when at home because it pollutes the environment. We should set an example to others to not burn rubbish for the same reason. I really value a campfire and do not like seeing it being turned into an incinerator. Rubbish should be out of sight, not around a campfire waiting to be burnt. On any trip I lead no rubbish goes in the fire, period. Not a tea bag, bottle top, or even a tissue.

"to incinerate waste in a very hot campfire at end of night" suggests that at the end of the night you stoke up the fire to burn the rubbish. Not only are you using extra wood just to burn rubbish, your fire should be very low, if not extinguished, when you go to bed, not roaring away.

"to minimise toxic pollution" We should not be minimising toxic pollution, we should be eliminating it entirely. These days its hard to know what contains plastic and what does not. Today, many cans are plastic lined. The only way to avoid burning plastic is not to burn anything at all.

We should all practice "If you can take it in, you can take it out." The Travel Etiquette Article gives some tips on managing your rubbish, maybe that part should be expanded. An example I use. If I have an empty tin can I don't crush it, I put other rubbish inside it and use it as a mini compactor so saving space, using shopping bags is another good idea, as is the ExplorOz spare wheel bag for those with a spare wheel on the back.

Where you dispose of your rubbish also needs consideration. Bins that are outside towns should not be used. We want land managers to spend what money they do have on facilities for all, and not on rubbish removal for the lazy. Same thing with roadside rest areas. We want better toilets, shade, benches and tables etc and not wasting money on expensive rubbish removal. The best place to dispose of rubbish is in a town and in a facility designed for that purpose.

I want my grandchildren to be able to travel this great country as I currently do. We need to look after our environment, we can do this by setting an example to others. Lets be part of the "Solution".
What other people think of me is none of my business.
Do unto others what you would have them do unto you.

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