Campaign asks outdoor community to “Give a 💩” and raise $14,000 for wag bags
As winter turns to spring and more climbers head out to America’s crags, Access Fund, EPIC Water Filters, and Outside Interactive, Inc. are teaming up to raise funds for a critical issue: managing human waste. The groups’ Give a 💩 campaign seeks to raise $7,000 from the climbing community, which will be matched by a $7,000 gift from Epic Water Filters, and buy 3,500 wag bags to be given away at climbing areas around the country.
“Everyone poops, but when you’re climbing outside, where and how you go has an impact on our crags, our waterways, wildlife, and your fellow climbers,” says Access Fund stewardship director Ty Tyler. “We’re proud to partner with Epic Water Filters and Outside to educate the community and raise funds for wag bags, an easy solution to help climbers keep human waste out of our climbing environments.”
While digging a cat hole and burying human waste was once the norm, best practices have changed, and it’s no longer a sustainable solution. Using the toilet before heading out to climb is always a climber’s best option, but there are times when nature calls, and using a wag bag and packing it out is the new standard for managing human waste in all climbing environments—alpine, desert, and forest. Not sure how to use a wag bag? We’ve got you covered!
“Sustainability and social responsibility are at the core of everything we do,” says Epic Water Filters Digital Marketing Manager Matt Maffei. “By reducing plastic waste through high-quality water filters that are reusable and long-lasting, we’re proud to do our part to provide access to clean drinking water and reduce the consumption of landfill bound single use bottles—all of which helps keep climbing areas and other outdoor spaces clean.”
From April 8-15, the first 300 people who donate $50 or more to the campaign will receive a 32-oz co-branded Access Fund Nalgene with water filter from Epic Water Filters.
"Our mission is simple: get everyone outside," says Outside's Head of Sustainability and Contributing Editor, Kristin Hostetter. "We want everyone to experience the joys and healing powers of outdoor activities and we also want to help people understand how to tread lightly on our precious resources and protect them. Pooping responsibly is one way to do this, and we're thrilled to support Access Fund in this educational campaign to keep our wild places clean, beautiful, and safe."
Properly disposing of human waste is a small but important part of how we keep our crags clean. Any time you’re outside recreating, Access Fund, EPIC Water Filters, and Outside encourage you to follow the seven Leave No Trace Principles—they’re an easy way to protect the places and experiences we enjoy for future generations.
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Access Fund is the national advocacy organization that leads and inspires the climbing community toward sustainable access and conservation of the climbing environment. Access Fund represents more than 8 million climbers nationwide in its work to protect and conserve the land, fight for sustainable access, and build a community of inspired advocates. Access Fund staff has more than 100 years of public policy and advocacy experience and has permanently protected nearly 4 million acres of public land across the country and established climbers as a powerful voice in the fight to protect public lands. For more information, visit accessfund.org.
Epic Water Filters is passionate about creating a cleaner, greener world by tackling single-use plastic pollution head-on. Through our cutting-edge filtration technology and extensive research, we've discovered that people often resort to buying plastic water bottles due to the convenience and distrust of tap water. We believe in empowering individuals to filter and trust their own water, thus reducing plastic waste. Our high-quality solid carbon block water filters are designed to remove over 200 contaminants, ensuring the purest and safest drinking water possible. With every filter, we save hundreds of plastic bottles from being used and discarded. But we don't stop there. We also support talented artists and non-profits worldwide through our popular artist series water bottles. Our commitment to environmental stewardship is not just a company value but also a personal passion. Visit our website at epicwaterfilters.com to learn more about how we can all work together towards a healthier planet.
Outside Interactive, Inc. is the premier destination for active lifestyle enthusiasts and home to leading brands in the endurance sports, outdoor, and healthy living spaces. Each month, Outside reaches 80 million of the most active consumers in the world across its 30+ media, digital, and technology platforms, creating an experience for both longtime adventurers and those just getting started. Outside’s mission is to get everyone outdoors, experiencing healthy, connected, and fulfilling lives. Outside’s membership offering, Outside+, bundles best-in-class storytelling, meal plans, gear reviews, mapping, online courses, discounted event access, magazines, access to NASTAR courses, and more. Learn more at OutsideInc.com.