Where do you dump?

[Mike OReilly]

The numbers keep rolling in. That's great.

Now, with 150 votes, 95 (63%)are doing things legally, and 55 (37%) are following their own path.

[JRO]

Hire a pump out service and forget about it.

[jtsailjt]

Originally Posted by rwidman

So are you advocating outlawing dish soap? Don't they use (Dawn) dish soap to clean up birds that have been caught in oil spills?



Bottom line is, pollution is caused by humans. There are too many humans. We need to get rid of some humans and limit the number of new ones.

You go first, and we’ll be right behind you, I promise.

[jtsailjt]

Does anyone have a list of biodegradable soaps that work well?

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by jtsailjt

Does anyone have a list of biodegradable soaps that work well?

I use Ecover. For everything. Dish soap, laundry detergent, softener - everything. It's all terrific.

[lestersails]

Originally Posted by jtsailjt

Does anyone have a list of biodegradable soaps that work well?

Practical Sailor to the rescue again! I apologize that it is behind a paywall, but I think they did a pretty good job. "The Best Products for Staying Clean Onboard" Originally published October 18, 2011 and updated March 2, 2020.

From my own experiences, for body wash/shampoo my fave is Savon de Mer, but it is on the expensive side. Campsuds is not bad, but also pricey, but I think is more concentrated so you can use less. The more concentrated one has no scent, which I prefer. I have tried Dr. Bronner's stuff but they are all strongly scented, which I really don't like.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

I use Ecover. For everything. Dish soap, laundry detergent, softener - everything. It's all terrific.

We mostly use Sierra Dawn CampSuds for pretty much everything. Dish, laundry and humans. Even lathers in salt. It's quite concentrated, so you only need a very small amount.

[lestersails]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

I use Ecover. For everything. Dish soap, laundry detergent, softener - everything. It's all terrific.

What do you use for washing Dockhead? From perusing the Ecover site, it doesn't look like they make body wash/shampoo, just hand soap. But maybe I missed it.

[Lake-Effect]

Originally Posted by jtsailjt

Does anyone have a list of biodegradable soaps that work well?

Here's a writeup on Dawn and some others that confirms they're biodegradable, and Dawn certainly works good (we use it at home). The writeup also has a bit of a backgrounder on soaps and detergents, and their potential harms. They also mention CampSuds, which we've used onboard as well as for camping.

Note that the above is from a camping perspective. The potential harm from dumping soapy/detergent-y water directly into bodies of water is greater than dumping it on land. Possibly a good argument for gray-water tanks onboard, and dumping those only in deep open water as well.

The article also has suggestions for minimizing the amounts used. For dish soaps, one of the best suggestions I've heard is to mix water with a few drops of dish soap in a spray bottle. You take a dish, spray it, wipe/scrub, then rinse in a water-filled pan or sink. Seems to be an efficient and fast technique for washing dishes on a boat/RV, and minimises the amount of soap that ultimately gets dumped.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by lestersails

What do you use for washing Dockhead? From perusing the Ecover site, it doesn't look like they make body wash/shampoo, just hand soap. But maybe I missed it.

Different stuff. It's not hard to find reef-safe and biodegradable soap and shampoo in this part of the world; there is a lot of awareness. Right now I'm using this: https://www.kronansapotek.se/Sj%C3%B...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

[jtsailjt]

I appreciate the biodegradable suggestions, will also check out PS since I still have that subscription.

Tonight I’m anchored in a spot that had no other boats around but as the sun was just about to set was entertained by a small boat coming towards us, very slowly. It turns out they are an Outward Bound group from Hurricane Island. There’s about a dozen of them in a 30’ open boat (looks smaller) that they either row or sail. These folks were rowing and at the speed they were moving I’d say it’s been a very long day! They stay on the boat 24/7 for several days and it’s a completely open boat with no “facilities” so I think it’s safe to say they all vote for the dumping overboard option! Not sure how they get any sleep. Now they’re anchored for the night about 1/2 mile away and we can hear them singing and talking. Not very luxurious but it sounds like they’re enjoying the experience and hopefully gaining an appreciation for being out in nature and on the water.

[Auspicious]

Originally Posted by jtsailjt

Does anyone have a list of biodegradable soaps that work well?

I use vinegar as a cleaner of first resort on the boat and escalate from there (Joy or Dawn then your basic chemical warfare). Ammonia for laundry done on board; dye-free unscented All for machines ashore. I use the same soap and shampoo for me that I've used for decades. Probably could do better but I found when I moved on board that there is hardly any soap scum build up and I like that (Irish Spring soap and Nioxin shampoo). I don't use much of either so I'll point to that for being green. *grin*

[jasrclark]

We only have one pump-out facility near me (Los Angeles Harbor) that is not always available, so I mostly pump out beyond the 3 mile limit. I've complained to the State but to no avail. There are services that will come to our dock, but I've heard that they frequently dump close to shore and they are expensive, so I have only used them on an emergency basis.

[Mike OReilly]

So, with 156 votes in, we have 63% (98 votes) dumping fully legally, and 37% (58 votes) making their own choices about where it's OK to dump.

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by lestersails

........ My understanding is that it takes a good deal more than just sitting around for a few months for human solid waste to turn into anything like compost. One approach is to treat it with non-pathogenic bacteria and then heat inactivate it a la Milorganite.

You are absolutely correct and even Milorganite is not supposed to be used in a vegetable garden.

Many diseases in third world countries can be traced to contact with human poop.