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Forethought and a little preparation are key elements to a successful and enjoyable camping experience. This holds equally true for your trash as it does for your camping equipment and supplies.

Maine is facing a solid waste crisis that does not exclude Baxter State Park. The problems of waste disposal persist even as we are on vacation. As a result, Mainers and visitors who use Baxter State Park are urged to reduce the amount of waste brought into the park.

The following waste reduction tips can be used while camping and at home. Part of the waste reduction is the assurance that we as individuals and families are working towards a cleaner and safer environment in which to live and camp.

• Avoid individually packaged items such as cheese singles, individually packaged hamburger patties, juice boxes, fruit and pudding packages.
• Purchase powdered soft drinks so that cans, bottles, and foil lined boxes aren't used.
• Purchase foods in bulk to eliminate redundant packaging.
• Avoid disposable items such as razors, lighters, flashlights, luminous light sticks, butane cylinders, sterno cans, pop in the bag popcorn…
• Use long lasting and reusable items such as ceramic, metal or rigid plastic mugs, bowls and cutlery, liquid fuel stoves and lanterns…
• If you need plastic to keep clothes and books dry, use durable plastic that can be used again and again.
• Plastic film canisters are great for carrying salt, pepper, cinnamon, matches, lens paper…
• Purchase bottles and cans that are redeemable and be sure to redeem them. There is a redemption center on the way out of Baxter State Park, located near the Millinocket airport.
• Wax paper can be used instead of plastic. Wax paper burns cleanly.
• Cheese cloth soaked in paraffin can be used to protect foods such as cheese. (It also makes a good fire starter and burns cleanly.)
• Butane cylinders are dangerous wastes to handle because they are bulky and explosive. Use liquid fuel stoves and lanterns.

Tips on Keeping Your Trash Bag Clean

Baxter State Park has a "carry in-carry out" policy for waste. Certain steps on your part will keep your trash bag clean and odor free:

• Keep cans and jars clean.
• Crush cans so they take up less space.
• Food wastes should be kept separate from other wastes to reduce odors.

A messy and smelly trash bag will attract animals. Keep yourself and your equipment safe by keeping animals away.

A Note On Burning Waste

Some materials burn nicely such as paper, egg cartons, paper bags, and most other paper or wood products.

Some materials burn incompletely in a campfire. Temperatures in a campfire are not enough for complete combustion of plastic, especially styrofoam. Please pack these materials out with you when you leave.

Some materials don't burn at all in a campfire. Glass, aluminum, tin, batteries and food stuffs just don't burn in a campfire. Rangers are forced to clean out firecircles of these unburned residues before other patrons arrive. Definitely pack these materials out when you leave.