News
National park combats waste problem with pots
27 March 2007
A national park in New Zealand has had to take action after suffering from problems with human faeces.
Visitors to the park have been known to relieve themselves in the great outdoors and merely leave it tucked away believing that it will enter the cycle of life.
The thought of this may seem disgusting to some but it is perfectly natural and park officials are not upset about the practice in itself.
Problems are arising however as human faeces is proving to be slightly more durable than that of other animals and cold conditions in the park are not helping matters.
'Human waste breaks down a lot slower than people think,' Shirley Slatter from New Zealand's Department of Conservation (DOC) told the Australian Associated Press.
'They cannot just leave waste in crevasses, under snow or rocks any more. The snow melts and there it is again the next season.'
To combat the issue the DOC is now selling waste pots to tourists who visit Mount Cook National Park so that they can relieve themselves without having a long-lasting impact on the park.
© Adfero Ltd
Visitors to the park have been known to relieve themselves in the great outdoors and merely leave it tucked away believing that it will enter the cycle of life.
The thought of this may seem disgusting to some but it is perfectly natural and park officials are not upset about the practice in itself.
Problems are arising however as human faeces is proving to be slightly more durable than that of other animals and cold conditions in the park are not helping matters.
'Human waste breaks down a lot slower than people think,' Shirley Slatter from New Zealand's Department of Conservation (DOC) told the Australian Associated Press.
'They cannot just leave waste in crevasses, under snow or rocks any more. The snow melts and there it is again the next season.'
To combat the issue the DOC is now selling waste pots to tourists who visit Mount Cook National Park so that they can relieve themselves without having a long-lasting impact on the park.
© Adfero Ltd
![]() | ![]() |
Related stories
18 August 2008
- Lonely Planet praises New Zealand's greenery >
05 August 2008
- Millions put towards New Zealand tourism >
13 June 2008
- NZ shark dives to begin soon >
11 June 2008
- New Wellington centre to be unveiled >
02 April 2008
- Travellers urged to be aware of NZ risks >
20 March 2008
- More visitors to New Zealand in February >
- Lonely Planet praises New Zealand's greenery >
05 August 2008
- Millions put towards New Zealand tourism >
13 June 2008
- NZ shark dives to begin soon >
11 June 2008
- New Wellington centre to be unveiled >
02 April 2008
- Travellers urged to be aware of NZ risks >
20 March 2008
- More visitors to New Zealand in February >

