Mount Rainier National Park's Blue Bag Human Waste System
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Mount Rainier National Park sees over 10,000 climbers annually who attempt to reach the summit of Mount Rainier. The park has implemented a "blue bag" human waste management system where climbers deposit solid waste in blue bags that are later flown off the mountain and incinerated. This system is low-cost but produces non-biodegradable waste and relies on helicopter flights and commercial incineration. The park has tested alternative carry-out systems but the blue bag method remains the primary waste management approach.
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Mount Rainier National Park's Blue Bag Human Waste System
- 1. Mount Rainier National Park National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior
- 2. Mount Rainier National Park National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Number of Climbers 1990-2009Number of Climbers 1990-2009 10,005 Average Over 20 Year Period10,005 Average Over 20 Year Period 54% of Climbers Reach the Summit54% of Climbers Reach the Summit 2009 – 10,616 Climbers2009 – 10,616 Climbers with 6,438 Reaching the Summitwith 6,438 Reaching the Summit
- 3. Mount Rainier National Park National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Day Use in Sub-Alpine and AlpineDay Use in Sub-Alpine and Alpine AreasAreas On busy WeekendsOn busy Weekends there are hundredsthere are hundreds of visitors on theof visitors on the Muir SnowfieldMuir Snowfield below Camp Muirbelow Camp Muir Many day useMany day use visitors use thevisitors use the toilets at Camp Muirtoilets at Camp Muir
- 4. Mount Rainier National Park National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Climbing Cost Recovery Safety & Education • High camps • Training personnel • Route information Human Waste Management • Maintenance/Removal • Research Program Administration • Permits • Website Annual Pass $30 per Climber
- 5. Mount Rainier National Park National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Upper Mountain Waste Management •Established High Camp Solar Toilets •Blue Bag System (individual solid waste disposal)
- 6. Mount Rainier National Park National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior High Camps •Camp Schurman on the Emmons Glacier Route •Camp Muir on the Disappointment Cleaver Route
- 7. Mount Rainier National Park National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Solar Toilet at Camp Schurman
- 8. Mount Rainier National Park National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Other High Camps where “Blue Bags” are the Main Human Waste Management System Emmons Flats Above Camp Schurman Ingraham Flats Above Camp Muir Camp Hazard on the Kautz Route Thumb Rock on the Liberty Ridge Route
- 9. Mount Rainier National Park National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior What is a “Blue Bag”?What is a “Blue Bag”? The “Blue Bag” system is a thin blueThe “Blue Bag” system is a thin blue polyethylene bag inside a clear thickpolyethylene bag inside a clear thick polyethylene bag with 2 twist ties topolyethylene bag with 2 twist ties to seal closed.seal closed. They are similar to bags used toThey are similar to bags used to collect dog feces in City Parks andcollect dog feces in City Parks and similar settings.similar settings.
- 10. Mount Rainier National Park National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior How is a “Blue Bag” Used?How is a “Blue Bag” Used? A Climber defecates on the snow and thenA Climber defecates on the snow and then collects their feces in the inner blue bag,collects their feces in the inner blue bag, using it like a glove.using it like a glove. The blue bag is then inverted and sealedThe blue bag is then inverted and sealed with a twist tie.with a twist tie. The full blue bag is then placed in theThe full blue bag is then placed in the heavy clear bag and sealed with a twistheavy clear bag and sealed with a twist tie.tie. The “Blue Bag” is now carried to theThe “Blue Bag” is now carried to the nearest collection barrel and deposited.nearest collection barrel and deposited.
- 11. Mount Rainier National Park National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Materials &Cost of “Blue Bags”Materials &Cost of “Blue Bags” 9” by 12” 4 mil Clear Poly Bags9” by 12” 4 mil Clear Poly Bags $66.85/1,000$66.85/1,000 12” by 15” .65 mil Blue Poly Bags12” by 15” .65 mil Blue Poly Bags $26.40/1,000$26.40/1,000 Two 7” Twist tiesTwo 7” Twist ties $5.20/1,000$5.20/1,000 Price per BagPrice per Bag $0.10365$0.10365
- 12. Mount Rainier National Park National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Assembly of “Blue Bags”Assembly of “Blue Bags” It takes approximately 30 seconds toIt takes approximately 30 seconds to assemble finished blue bagsassemble finished blue bags This adds $0.06 to $0.15 per bagThis adds $0.06 to $0.15 per bag depending on the cost of labordepending on the cost of labor Assembly of blue bags is a duty thatAssembly of blue bags is a duty that can be done by fee collectors duringcan be done by fee collectors during down time in the fee collectiondown time in the fee collection booth.booth.
- 13. Mount Rainier National Park National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Blue Bag Pick UpBlue Bag Pick Up Most Climbers get blue bags whenMost Climbers get blue bags when registering for the climbregistering for the climb Extra blue bags are available atExtra blue bags are available at Camp Muir and Camp SchurmanCamp Muir and Camp Schurman Each climber is provided with 2 bagsEach climber is provided with 2 bags
- 14. Mount Rainier National Park National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Blue Bag Collection Barrels
- 15. Mount Rainier National Park National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Collection Sites for “Blue Bags”Collection Sites for “Blue Bags” Slate Restroom at ParadiseSlate Restroom at Paradise White River CampgroundWhite River Campground Westside RoadWestside Road Camp MuirCamp Muir Camp SchurmanCamp Schurman
- 16. Mount Rainier National Park National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Helicopter Used to Supply High Camps and Remove Human Waste
- 17. Mount Rainier National Park National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Human Waste Barrels Being Removed by Helicopter
- 18. Mount Rainier National Park National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Flying Barrel Down
- 19. Mount Rainier National Park National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Preparation for StericyclePreparation for Stericycle Pick-up of Blue BagsPick-up of Blue Bags Bags are removed from barrels inBags are removed from barrels in red biohazard bagsred biohazard bags Up to 40 pounds of bags are placedUp to 40 pounds of bags are placed in double bagged 1.9 cubic footin double bagged 1.9 cubic foot boxesboxes Boxes are sealed and labeledBoxes are sealed and labeled Boxes are picked up by StericycleBoxes are picked up by Stericycle
- 20. Mount Rainier National Park National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Preparing “Blue Bags” for Stericycle Pick Up
- 21. Mount Rainier National Park National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Disposal by StericycleDisposal by Stericycle Boxes are transported to Morton,Boxes are transported to Morton, Washington for processingWashington for processing The waste is then transported byThe waste is then transported by truck to a Waste to Energy Facility intruck to a Waste to Energy Facility in Marion County, OregonMarion County, Oregon The waste is incinerated at a cost ofThe waste is incinerated at a cost of $30.00 per box (up to 40 pounds)$30.00 per box (up to 40 pounds) Incinerator is used to generateIncinerator is used to generate electricity for Marion Countyelectricity for Marion County
- 22. Mount Rainier National Park National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Cost of Disposal of Blue BagsCost of Disposal of Blue Bags In 2009 2,813 pounds of blue bagsIn 2009 2,813 pounds of blue bags were disposed ofwere disposed of Cost of Disposal was $2,440Cost of Disposal was $2,440 Average Cost of Disposal for lastAverage Cost of Disposal for last eight years $2,314eight years $2,314
- 23. Mount Rainier National Park National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Pros and Cons of “Blue Bag”Pros and Cons of “Blue Bag” SystemSystem Pros:Pros: Low Cost for Bags: $0.25 per bagLow Cost for Bags: $0.25 per bag Low Cost for Disposal:$0.23 perLow Cost for Disposal:$0.23 per climberclimber Easy to UseEasy to Use Great Compliance by ClimbersGreat Compliance by Climbers Easy to Manage Collection SitesEasy to Manage Collection Sites
- 24. Mount Rainier National Park National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Pros and Cons of “Blue Bag”Pros and Cons of “Blue Bag” SystemSystem ConsCons Bags left on the Mountain are notBags left on the Mountain are not BiodegradableBiodegradable Waste is flown off from High CampsWaste is flown off from High Camps using helicoptersusing helicopters Waste must be picked up byWaste must be picked up by StericycleStericycle Waste is incineratedWaste is incinerated
- 25. Mount Rainier National Park National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Other Carry Out Systems triedOther Carry Out Systems tried at Mount Rainierat Mount Rainier Restop 2 bagsRestop 2 bags Cost $1.30 per bag in 2003Cost $1.30 per bag in 2003 (Wholesale)(Wholesale) Can be disposed of in trashCan be disposed of in trash Great for use by Commercial GuideGreat for use by Commercial Guide ServicesServices No Waste is deposited on snowNo Waste is deposited on snow
- 26. Mount Rainier National Park National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Climbers on the Summit Crater
Editor's Notes
- Approximately 10,000 people attempt to climb Mount Rainier each year.
- 10,005 Average Over 20 Year Period 54% of Climbers Reach the Summit 2009 – 10,616 Climbers with 6,438 Reaching the Summit
- On busy Weekends there are hundreds of visitors on the Muir Snowfield below Camp Muir Many day use visitors use the toilets at Camp Muir
- To protect the mountain environment and provide for climber’s safety the park charges a fee of $30 for a climbing permit. This program was started in July 1995. This money is used for the following Safety & Education High camps Training personnel Route information Human Waste Mgt. Maintenance/Removal Research Program Admin. Permits Website
- One of the main uses of the fee money is to manage the human waste on the upper mountain, above 6,000 feet.
- The two main high camps are at Camp Schurman on the Emmons Glacier Route and Camp Muir on the Disappointment Cleaver Route
- The high camps have solar toilets to dehydrate the waste to make it easier to remove from the mountain. Toilets are used for most of the human waste at Camp Muir and Camp Schurman. Approximately four tons of Human Waste are removed from the high camps annually, 6,000 pounds from Camp Muir and 2,000 pounds from Camp Schurman.
- At location away from the main High Camps the blue bag system is used. The used blue bags are returned by climbers to collection barrels at the High Camps and other locations.
- It is also possible to defecate straight into the bag, thereby eliminating the contamination of the snow and the problem of excess snow and water in the used bag.
- The blue bags are placed in 55-gallon barrels and flown off the mountain.
- Collection Barrels are placed in strategic places, either at trailheads to major climbing routes orHigh Camps. Barrels from the high camps are flown down off the mountain.
- A small helicopter is used to fly off the waste from the mountain
- This shows the barrels being picked up by the helicopter.
- Then the helicopter returns to Paradise (1650 meters) with the barrels. Mount Adams (3,750 meters) is in the background.
- The waste produces electricity for Marion County.
- The cost of the use of blue bags is fairly inexpensive, about $.50 per climber. They are easy to use and similar to what is used to dispose of pet waste in cities. Because the system has been in use since about 1985 climbers at Mount Rainier are used to the system and people are willing to use it. There is very little human waste left on the upper mountain. The collection sites for the used blue bags are in areas that are staffed by NPS employees so it is fairly easy to manage the waste collected in barrels.
- The system works well but there are problems. Bags left on the mountain are not biodegradable and animals, such as Ravens can make a mess of bags left behind. This is a problem on routes that do not get many Ranger patrols to clean up after climbers. Because the majority of blue bags are used above the 2 main high camps most of the blue bags are deposited at either Camp Muir or Camp Schurman. The bags are flown down from the high camps by helicopter, which adds to the cost and environmental impact. The waste is disposed of by Stericycle and they pick up the waste at Mount Rainier, Luckily a major didtribution point is in Morton WA, about 20 miles from the park. Finally, the waste is incinerated so there is some effect on air quality at the incerator site.
- The goal is to make sure climbers have a safe and enjoyable trip to the summit and back.