Disposing of Human Waste in the Moab Area

Whenever possible, use developed toilet facilities (see map below for vault toilet locations.) When developed facilities are not available, all solid waste should be packed out in approved waste bags. Human waste is a serious health issue in the backcountry. To make carrying out human waste easy and safe, the use of a W.A.G. bag (Waste Alleviation and Gelling Bags) is recommended. W.A.G. Bags are spill proof, puncture proof and zipper closed. W.A.G. Bags must be disposed of in W.A.G. Bag equipped locations in Moab.

What is a W.A.G. Bag

When hiking, backpacking, biking, driving where toilet facilities are not available, the most convenient and sustainable option is purchasing a W.A.G. Bag: a double-walled, self-closing human waste container complete with crystals or gels to neutralize the dangerous pathogens in human waste, allowing direct disposal into approved W.A.G. Bag Disposal Bins after use. W.A.G. bags tuck easily into a pack, and one bag is good for about three to four uses.

Where to Purchase W.A.G. Bags in the Moab Area

W.A.G. Bags can be purchased at the following locations in Moab:

• Arches National Park Bookstore – Arches National Park
• Canyonlands National Park Bookstore – Canyonlands National Park
• Dead Horse Point State Park – Dead Horse Point State Park
• Moab Information Center – Corner of Main & Center Streets
• GearHeads Outdoor Store – 471 S Main St
• Moab Gear Traders – 300 S Main St
• Solgear – 420 Kane Creek Blvd, #1
• Wild West Voyages – 422 Kane Creek Blvd

Do not dispose of W.A.G. Bags in regular trash cans. In order to reduce exposure to biohazards, it is a priority for our local solid waste handler to reduce the amount of human waste that is handled by their staff members and introduced to various types of equipment. W.A.G. Bags should be brought directly to any of the disposal bins listed below.

Where to Dispose of W.A.G. Bags in Moab

Groovers

A groover is a portable toilet that is recommended for day use river trips, and mandatory for overnight trips. Groovers are cleaned at an RV dump station or other sewage facility.

What can be put in a Groover?

• Acceptable: solid human fecal matter waste, toilet paper, and urine
  
• Unacceptable: wipes, "flushable" or not, food waste, rocks, kitty litter, clothing items, trash

The following webpages contain useful information regarding the use and cleaning of Groovers:

• whitewaterguidebook.com/setting-up-the-groover/
• paddlinglife.com/whitewater-rafting/how-to-use-setup-clean-groover/

Vault Toilet Locations

Whenever possible, please use a vault toilet. Vault toilets are waterless toilets that collect waste in an underground tank or vault. These non-flush toilets are commonly found in remote areas like campgrounds, trailheads, national parks and on forest lands.