What should I do about large trash left by others on USFS land?

This is what I do:

I always have extra carry-bags to keep the trash in. Depending upon what my plan is, if I am coming around the same way back home, I usually pickup everything which shouldn't be out there and place the bag at location where it will not be easily found by people or by animals.

On my way back home, when I know I don't have an extra bag to carry, I can pickup small non-biodegradable things like, very commonly: plastic wrappers, tetra-packs and similar stuff that I can carry without a trouble, and stuff it somewhere in the side of the haversack. So I can carry everything I brought with me, and that I collected as garbage during the trek.

And, I insist on suggesting other fellows to do the same if they can and care about environment.

Now this is specific to my place. In India, carrying liquor in any form during a trek/hike or in a National Park is a serious trouble if caught by authorities. So, I would never want to be getting in trouble if I am carrying an empty Beer can or a vodka bottle some stupid fellow didn't bother to bring back and trash where it is supposed to be trashed. In such a case, when I notice that a particular route needs cleaning, I take pictures, reach out to people, friends and we together plan a clean-up activity with permission and support from villagers, That goes onto a different level altogether when it really matters.

posted over 8 years ago

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WedaPashi‭

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If the item is small enough to move, but too large to easily carry out. Organize the junk so that it is stacked as inoffensively as practical, but remains easily accessible. Don't hide it or drop it into a ravine, you want to make it easier to remove not harder.

Contact the landowner or manager. This might be a park ranger, corporation or private land owner. Presumably, someone built and maintains the trail, after getting permission from the landowner or manager. This should put you in contact with the team who maintains the trail, you can inform them of the issue and schedule a time to work with them in the removal.

Alternatively, for objects that can be moved, but are too difficult to extract in a single event, move them closer to the entrance/exit. If you move it partway, and the next person moves it part way, it should find its way out fairly quickly.

posted over 8 years ago

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James Jenkins‭

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When it's unsuitable for removal by your group, contact the relevant authority for that land and let them know the type of litter and its location (pictures and GPS coordinates are helpful). For example, in cases of extreme littering, U.S. federal land management agencies will sometimes organize major cleanup efforts to pack out trash with mules or even a helicopter if there is enough litter in a remote area to justify it.

posted over 8 years ago

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Jonathan Patt‭

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This is country specific - but yours may have some automated way of reporting this. My own little homeland made me proud when they rolled out a smartphone app for hikers that allows to report any kind of environmental damage (along with GPS data and possibly pictures) directly to the authorities. They are usually pretty quick to investigate such things.

posted over 8 years ago

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Ordous‭

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If it is a more polluted area, try the method suggested by WedaPashi (cleanup activity with friends), or take a look at Let's Do It - a worldwide trash-collecting/volunteering action; find your country and contact the local organization. This also puts the issue in an other light (and on the world map), and it might get bigger media attention too, spread the awareness etc.

posted over 8 years ago

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Akabelle‭

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If you cut it up, then many hikers could each take out a piece and eventually the job would be done.

Just leave it better than you found it.

posted over 8 years ago

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calasyr‭

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I agree with the answers that recommend notifying the managers of the land. In addition, if the area is served by a packer, I would notify the packer. The packer might be able to take the trash out in a return trip when his mules were lightly loaded. As James Jenkins said in his answer, organize the junk and put it in an easily accessible place. Packers often do clean-ups, both because they love the area they are working in, and because a clean area is good for business.

posted over 8 years ago

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ab2 MonicaNotForgotten‭

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Contact USFS via their website and let them know the location and description of the item. They have a 'Contact Us' link in the About the Agency drop-down menu.

posted over 8 years ago

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Wendy‭

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