Sustainable waste management in Bugaboo Park: project report
by Marc Piché
Recipients of the 2022 ACC Environment Grant, the Friends of Bugaboo Park (FOBP) wrapped up their recent waste management project in September 2023. With the hard work of four volunteers over four days, they made notable progress in addressing environmental concerns in the Bugaboo Spires.
The construction crew: Marc, Tim, Chris and Patrick. Photo Marc Piché.
The work crew appreciating the view of the Minaret after being dropped off in East Creek. Photo Marc Piché.
Our journey began in the early 2000s when FOBP, partnering with the likes of The Alpine Club of Canada, BC Parks, and the CMH Bugaboo Lodge, installed alpine toilets at the Bugaboo–Snowpatch Col and the West Ridge of Pigeon. By the mid-2000s, the group added a “green throne” alpine toilet at the East Creek Camp location, which was funded by Arc’teryx.
While these green thrones significantly reduce human waste affecting mountain water sources, they have a downside. They frequently fill with rainwater, snow melt, and urine. This leads to more helicopter trips to empty them, increasing costs and carbon footprint. Also, the remote nature of the site makes it sometimes impossible to remove the full barrels when the rest of the toilets in the park are being serviced, leading to sometimes over-filled barrels and no useable toilet.
To address this, FOBP decided to replace the East Creek toilet with a urine-diverting system. This new system, successfully used in many places worldwide, including several BC Parks, is expected to reduce helicopter trips. The open-air design has even been set up in places as high as 3,300m in Colorado.
Slowly putting it all together with the old toilet in the background. Photo Marc Piché.
The project, despite volunteer efforts, discounted materials, and flying support from CMH Bugaboo Lodge, had a budget of nearly $20,000. Through a still-active Go Fund Me campaign, FOBP appealed to the community, especially those who have spent time in East Creek, for support.
Now, with the project's successful completion, the FOBP would like to acknowledge the support received. This project was made possible, in part, with support from The Alpine Club of Canada’s Environment Fund, Arc’teryx Alberta, and Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH) Bugaboo Lodge.
For more on FOBP and their ongoing work, visit their Facebook page.
The completed urine diversion toilet. Photo Marc Piché.
About the ACC Environment Grant
Every year the ACC awards a number of financial grants to help our community members get outside, follow their dreams and protect the environment. The ACC’s Environment Grant provides support for the protection and preservation of mountain and climbing environments, including the preservation of alpine flora and fauna in their natural habitat. Since 2002 the ACC has contributed over $75,000 to environmental projects. The deadline for applications for the ACC Environment Grant is January 31 annually.