There is no garbage collection service in BRC. It is up to each of us to remove all Matter Out of Place (MOOP) from our camps and our city. Our permit with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) allows us a short period of time to restore the playa to its original condition. We can only satisfy BLM stipulations and pass inspection if ALL citizens share the responsibility of Leaving No Trace by MOOP sweeping their camps, art projects, and beloved Black Rock City.

Everything you bring out to the playa can become Matter Out of Place: tent stakes/lag bolts, bottle caps, ashes, wood debris, plastic debris, cardboard/paper, metal debris, cigarette butts, food debris, textiles/fabric materials, sequins — even bicycles. It all has to return home with you. Pack it in. Pack it out. Whether on the Black Rock Desert or beyond, Leaving No Trace demonstrates our community’s commitment to the environment.

A comprehensive Leave No Trace plan begins long before you arrive on the playa. Included below is a list of items to bring, and a list of others it’s best to leave at home. For a comprehensive overview of camp waste management, see this helpful guide by Juergen Jaschke from the Black Rock Sauna Society Camp.

See below for helpful dos and don’ts as you prepare for the playa.

Do

  • Choose materials that won’t break apart or blow away.
  • Pick aluminum cans over glass or plastic for drinks (recycle them at Recycle Camp).
  • Carry a MOOP bag everywhere — from camp to deep playa.
  • Use a pocket ashtray (like a mint tin) if you smoke — ash counts as MOOP.
  • Lay down tarps in kitchens, build sites, and work areas to catch debris.
  • Secure everything in your camp and on your vehicle with proper tie-downs.
  • Use a handled jug (like a milk or water jug) to collect MOOP around camp daily.
  • Contain all gray water from showers — none should hit the playa. Playa Living section of our website has great ideas for properly dealing with gray water.
  • Conserve water (short showers, wipes, less frequent use).
  • Use secondary containment (like bins or kiddie pools) for fuel containers to prevent leaks.
  • Plan ahead so fuel goes directly into containment when unpacking. Read the Fuel and Hazardous Material Storage page.

Don’t

  • Don’t bring items that easily become MOOP, like:
     glitter, feathers, rhinestones, artificial grass, sequins, wigs, styrofoam coolers, plastic bags, paper, string, plastic cups, hay, straw, or gravel.
  • Don’t bring plastic drink containers if you can avoid it.
  • Don’t let anything loose or unsecured blow away.
  • Don’t drop cigarette butts or ash on the ground.
  • Don’t let gray water touch the playa.
  • Don’t store fuel containers directly on the playa — even temporarily.
  • Want more tips? Check out the Earth Guardians’ tips for keeping Burning Man clean and green.