Case study of
#00094 Mandatory carry-out rules and tools at high-impact sites
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA
#00106
SuccessRegion
Implementer
US National Park Service (Grand Canyon NP)
Location
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA36.3079, -112.2929
Description
In the Grand Canyon's Colorado River corridor, the National Park Service mandates that river runners pack out all waste, including human waste, using portable toilet systems. The requirement keeps a heavily used backcountry corridor clean where no fixed sanitation or trash service exists.
Lessons learned
- A mandatory pack-out rule (including human waste) works when the means to comply are provided or required — e.g. portable toilet systems on river trips.
- This model scales only to designated, permitted sites where compliance can be checked, not to open public land generally.
Documented Jun 26, 2026