Leaving No Trace (LNT) is a core principle of Burning Man. Help ensure we minimize our environmental impact and leave the Black Rock Playa as pristine as we found it.

Preparation Before the Burn

1. Planning Your LNT Campsite

Organize your gear before the Burn. Last year’s gear should be evaluated for broken bits and muddy junk. No need to bring those items or anything that could be on its last leg.
Location: Upon arrival, sweep your camp footprint for Matter Out of Place (MOOP). Doing this will help you start with a clean slate.
Structure: Ideally- replace stakes, rebar, and other anchoring methods, with lag bolts to secure your structures. The Burning Man Org is requiring Ashram to inventory every stake and lag bolt because we were cited for leaving them behind in the past. Here’s more from the org on securing your structure.
Tarps are your friend: use them to create a MOOP barrier (do not use carpet/astroturf, unless you tarp underneath it, as it always sheds and the individual pieces need to be picked up) If you have excessive gray water you can use a tarp to evaporate some of the excess.

2. Only Bring What You Need:

Food: Pre-pack food in reusable containers. Avoid single-use packaging, multi packs, and snack sized packages. Pre-cut your veggies, cheeses, meats and pack them in reusable tupperware.
Water: Plan your water needs accurately to avoid excess. Every drop needs to be packed back out. If able- consider refillable collapsible water containers, which are easy to refill at the grocery store- save $$ too!
Supplies: Bring durable, reusable supplies instead of disposable items.

3. Eco-Friendly Products:

Biodegradable: Use biodegradable soaps and cleaning products.
Reusable: Opt for reusable plates, cups, and utensils.
Rechargeable: Use headlamps, string lights, or solar rope lights that are battery free.

4. Minimal Packaging:

Remove Excess Packaging: Open all items, before packing for the playa– & leave as much packaging as you can behind.

5. Leave MOOPY Items at Home

MOOP: Matter out of place
Micro MOOP: Make sure small items like sequins, feathers and beads are
secure- give garments a shake test to make sure they don’t shed.
Avoid Styrofoam: When it breaks it becomes an environmental disaster- and it was cited by the Burning Man Org as a MOOP problem for Ashram in the past.
Astro Turf: The Burning Man Org cited Ashram for shedding Astro turf as well.

During the Burn

1. Manage Waste:

Bring Drinks in Aluminum cans only: take crushed cans to recycling camp to dispose of on playa & have less to pack out. Avoid cans with plastic label wraps, coconut water cans with plastic liners, and tetra packs- none of which are recyclable.
Separate Waste: Sort recyclables and landfill waste.
Contain It: Use sealed containers for waste to prevent spillage. Campers may not put personal trash into the Ashram trash bins or corral.

2. Gray Water Disposal:

Evaporation: Use an evaporation system to dispose of greywater.
Pack It Out: If you can’t evaporate it, take it with you.
More from the org on gray water disposal

3. Daily Clean-Up:

Sweep Your Footprint: Daily, pick up any trash, even the smallest items.
Inspect Your Area: Check the entire camp for any items left behind.

Breaking Down Camp

1. Pack It Out:

Take Everything: Ensure every single item is packed out, including small debris.
No Gifting: Do not leave any food items behind, in the hopes someone staying longer will consume them- ditto for drinks & even water. Unless you put items in the hands of a willing recipient, you’ve created more work for the Omega Strike team- please do not create more work for the Omega Strike team.
Leave No Trace: Sweep your entire footprint for MOOP, including neighboring areas.

2. Strike Shift:

Save some gas in your tank: Make sure you have saved some energy for your strike shift. After a long week of having fun, it’s important to save some energy, strength and serotonin for strike. Think of your Shramily and all the wonderful connections you’ve made- give your best effort for the greater good!

3. Omega Strike:

Quality Control: This is the group that makes sure the previous strike shifts didn’t miss any of the tiny bits. Not to be considered the final clean up crew.
Final Line Sweep: The last, and most important action to ensure a Green Moop Map rating from Playa Restoration

4. Dispose Properly:

Recycle: Take recyclables to designated recycling centers.
Trash: Remember- campers all need to save room in their vehicles for two bags of camp trash. RVs must take three bags. Dispose of trash at proper facilities.
Hazardous Materials: Handle and dispose of hazardous materials properly by dropping any of these items off at a Batteries Plus