We're Going Where ?

We are on our own.  We have to remove any trace of people at the end of our stay.  If you expect trash collection then maybe you would be happier at the Circus  Circus in Reno.

As part of the ticket price you owe two hours to the clean up of Black Rock City.   It is nice to keep a no trace pocket and pick up stray liter as you wander during the week.   A fun way to help in clean up is the Solo Collective Saturday post burn morning cocktail playa trash walk.   Walk with a few thousand of your  new friend to see the ashes of the MAN while picking up every human trace you see.
 

Red Bags

Matty StewART keeps safer sex supplies in a fresh red bag with another new red bag neatly folded  inside.
She also keeps fresh sheets and toys in a two gallon bag as she travels the playa.
 

Porta-potties

This year Red Bags will also be turning brown.  The portas do not take wet wipes, sanitary napkins, diapers, Tampex, rubber damns, gloves, or condoms, toilet doilies {AKA paper cowboy hats}.  These all go into the RED BAG.

Keep a string around that flashlight too.   I see too many flashlights floating in the portas shining up on peoples butts.

One of the least kept dirty secrets of the playa is that every guy keeps a used plastic bottle to piss in on those cold nights.  You see the steam rising off those bottles in the morning as they are being dumped into the portas.  Matty StewART recommends covering those yellow bottles with a pee cozy.   She suggests that women try a stand and pee unit so  they don't have to leave the warmth of camp or show their bottom to splotty potty.    Added Bonus you don't have to lift the lid and smell "eau the poopy".

Pee Funnel Camp        Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Ladies Unleash Yourselves! Sick of the only thing standing between them and you being a toilet seat?  Stand free and pee!   Barter for your very own Pee Funnel at Pee Funnel Camp! Review optional accessories with friendly Pee Funnel campers. All Pee Funnels are sanitary and pre-tested (not with pee, though!)

Dealing with menstrual messiness at Burningman.
{ Thanks to all the brave souls who asked about this. ;) }
History of the  Menstrual Cup  Priced at about $30 The Keeper Cup is one of two models available in the U.S.  You  can find these locally at the health food store or ask a midwife.   One of my friends uses keigels to empty her's while in the porta.  Menstrual Cups are not birth control,  or safer sex devices !

If you can't find the Keeper or learn to  use it in time.   Keep you red bag in a black plastic shopping bag then toss the wet wipes and nappys or tampons into the Red Bag.  Matty StewART Burn 2002 project idea-- make your own red bag cozy.   A "pillow case for 1 gallon heavy duty freezer bags."

Remember some red, brown, or paisley towels so you won't have to wash the sleeping bags from wild nights of Burningman Love.

Reminder -- Menstrual  product and wet wipes CAN NOT go into the Porta's.   They clog the pumpers which means the pottys will be cleaned less often {2001 goal porta cleaned 3 times per day}.    I still think Scott  single ply toilet tissue will work and will be carrying a roll in my potty pack.

If you bring an animal to the Playa you join the Brown Doody Rangers , you must pick up any shit you find on the Playa.
 

Pre cycling

Glass is a pain in the butt.  The only glass I am bringing to  camp is two bottles of booze as gifts to my favorite bar {yes that means go back and pick up two empty bottles}.   You  have to pick up every little shard if it breaks. Folks are barefoot and naked out here !  Do not throw glass into any fire it explodes.  Then some wonderful Saint has to pick each little sliver by hand so it can be recycled.

Desert Diane cooks everything before coming  to  the desert and freezes it in half gallon milk cartoons and heavy bags.    That way she can play during playa prep and cooking time,  saves bucks on ice, and does not have to round trip packaging.
 

Recycling

Those #6 clear gallon juice jugs will will duct taped at spots around camp and labeled  for small trash.  Please remember to duct tape the lids on the bottom this year so we can drag them home sealed up.

Everyone should bring a box of draw string kitchen bags to store trash in.  Trash cans can be found inside every dome and the recycler is near the kitchen.

Garbage

Please do not put garbage in peoples trailers, on top at the last minute like you did in 2000.
 

Water

The 50 gallon food grade drum weighs about 400 pounds.  Moving these is hard, they raise the center of gravity of the vehicle,  and when partially filled they slosh and break loose.

To keep Nevada Health happy add a 1/2 teaspoon of bleach per gallon to the washing water.

Evaporate water and drag back any colored or contaminated water to sewage  treatment plant.
Use an evaporator tarp to contain water.   The black trays work better if you keep the water in them at 2 inches.    Lets try and keep the colored water separate this year.   We may want to  reserve one of the cement tubs in  the Dermal Wash for folks with body paint.

Dish Water -- By taking ssmall portions and going back for seconds or thirds we will cut down on food waste.   Monks use crackers, bread, or rice to clean the soup, or sauces out of their bowls.
Scrape the plates into the garbage bucket,  wipe with the dry towel before putting into the soapy dish water,  then rinse in the clean.

When the dish water gets scuzzy.  Get an empty wash water bucket and line it with a clean plastic garbage bag.  Use the strainer cloth to remove the gunk as you pour it into this bucket.  Leave the liner bag hanging out when you put the lid on the bucket.  These bucket will also get the waste from  lost coffee cups and snaky beer leftovers.

No matter how cute she is, No one is to dye  hair in camp this year.   That 10 gallons of red head dye water ruined  two  water barrels and eventually  spilled all over the trailer on the trip home.
 

Costumes and Art

Cheap wigs and fake fur coats have been failing the shake test lately.   Leave those mylar strip curtains at home on the second day, they turn into the remains of that techo cassette you left running on continuous play last night.

Securely staked down art using rebar or spikes.    Even plywood flat on the ground or 60 inch in diameter mirror will  get airborne out on the playa.   The massage tent has a nice ninja gash from a flying dinner plate.
 

Smokers

Extra film cans and Altoid tins as gifts to the visiting smokers.  Cut an x into the top of the film can then the smoker can keep their buts and  ashes in the can.
 

Community Requirement

Everyone needs to bring an extra box of handle tie kitchen bags for trash and gallon freezer zip locks for the red bags.

Recruit everyone for the Solo Collective Saturday post cocktail playa trash walk.
 

Useful Links

The Earth Guardians  have a wonderful camp preparation page.    It reminds you that you eat a lot less food in the  desert.    They also teach Leave NO trace theory.