# Reduce outing waste

Part of the First Class guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://scouting.university/scouts-bsa/ranks/first-class/guide/index.md)

*9. Citizenship*

> **9c.** On a Scouting or family outing, take note of the trash and garbage you produce. Before your next similar outing, decide how you can reduce, recycle, or repurpose what you take on that outing, and then put those plans into action. Compare your results.

Living out the Outdoor Code and Leave No Trace principles means taking active responsibility for the waste we generate in camp. Requirement 9c is a hands-on, two-outing comparative experiment where you conduct a waste audit on a baseline outing, implement the **Three R's (Reduce, Recycle, Repurpose)**, and measure your results on a subsequent outing.

## Outing 1: Conducting Your Baseline Waste Audit

On an initial troop campout or family outdoor excursion, observe and document the total amount of waste your group generates:

### What to Track During the Outing
- **Single-Use Disposables**: Paper plates, plastic forks, disposable water bottles, plastic grocery bags, paper towels.
- **Food Packaging**: Individual snack wrappers, juice boxes, frozen meal pouches, cardboard cartons.
- **Organic Waste**: Leftover food scraps, potato peels, fruit rinds.
- **Estimated Total Volume**: Count the number of full garbage bags filled over the weekend (or measure weight if scales are available).

## Developing Your Reduction Action Plan

Between your first and second outing, formulate a specific plan to tackle each category of waste using the Three R's:

### REDUCE (Bring Less Trash to Camp)
- **Repackage in Bulk**: Buy snacks (nuts, trail mix, pretzels) in bulk containers and pack meal portions into reusable silicone bags or washable containers before leaving home, eliminating individual plastic wrappers.
- **Eliminate Single-Use Plates and Cutlery**: Require every patrol member to use their personal washable Scout mess kit, camp mug, and utensil set.
- **Refillable Hydration**: Use personal reusable canteens or hydration bladders rather than purchasing disposable plastic water bottles.

### RECYCLE (Sort and Divert Materials)
- **Camp Sorting Station**: Set up a designated patrol recycling bin alongside the main trash bag to separate aluminum beverage cans, clean tin food cans, and recyclable plastics (#1 and #2).
- **Pack It Out**: Carry sorted recyclables home to place in your municipal curbside recycling bin.

### REPURPOSE (Give Materials a Second Life)
- **Camp Fire Starters**: Save cardboard egg cartons and dryer lint to make wax fire-starter cups for campfires.
- **Gear Organization**: Use clean plastic food tubs with lids to organize patrol matches, spices, or small repair kits.
- **Wash and Reuse**: Wash and dry heavy-duty freezer bags to use for multiple campouts.

## Outing 2: Putting the Plan into Action & Comparing Results

Execute your plan on a similar second outing (e.g., a similar 2-day troop campout or day hike). Record your final waste metrics and create a comparison:

### Comparative Results Summary
| Metric | Outing 1 (Baseline) | Outing 2 (With Plan) | Net Improvement |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Total Trash Bags** | 3 full 13-gallon bags | 1 half-full bag | **75% reduction in landfill waste** |
| **Disposable Water Bottles** | 18 single-use bottles | 0 (all reusable canteens) | **100% eliminated** |
| **Sorted Recyclables** | 0 lbs (all thrown in trash) | 6 lbs clean aluminum/cans | **6 lbs diverted from landfill** |
| **Paper Plates Used** | 45 paper plates | 0 (used washable mess kits) | **100% eliminated** |

## Reflecting with Your Scoutmaster

During your conference, discuss what went smoothly and what unexpected challenges arose:
- Did washing mess kits require more water or time at the wash station?
- Did pre-packing meals at home save cooking and cleanup time at camp?
- How did your patrol respond to the waste reduction challenge?

> **Tip**
>
> Make sure your two outings are genuinely comparable in size and duration (e.g., comparing two weekend patrol campouts, rather than comparing a 3-day campout to a 2-hour day hike).

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- Previous: [Investigate environmental issue](https://scouting.university/scouts-bsa/ranks/first-class/guide/req9b/index.md)
- Next: [Complete 3 hours of service](https://scouting.university/scouts-bsa/ranks/first-class/guide/req9d/index.md)