Req 6c — Repackaging & Reducing Waste

Repackaging is one of the smartest things you can do before a trail trip. Store packaging is designed to look good on a shelf — not to be carried on your back. By repackaging at home, you cut weight, reduce bulk, and minimize the trash you have to pack out.

Why Repackage?

• Reduce weight. Cardboard boxes, glass jars, and rigid plastic containers add ounces that you do not need to carry.
• Reduce bulk. A box of crackers takes up far more space than the same crackers in a zip-lock bag.
• Reduce garbage. Less packaging on the trail means less trash to pack out. Trail cooking already generates less waste, and repackaging pushes that number even lower.
• Simplify preparation. Pre-mix ingredients at home (like oatmeal with dried fruit and brown sugar) so you just add hot water on the trail.

Repackaging Techniques

Zip-lock bags are the most common repackaging tool. They are lightweight, sealable, and can be squeezed flat to eliminate air.

• Transfer dry goods (oatmeal, rice, pasta, trail mix, spices) from boxes and heavy bags into quart- or gallon-size zip-lock bags.
• Write the contents and preparation instructions on the bag with a permanent marker.
• Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing.

Pre-mixing meals saves time and reduces the number of items you need to carry:

• Combine instant oatmeal, dried fruit, brown sugar, and powdered milk in one bag — just add hot water.
• Pre-mix spice blends so you have one bag instead of five separate spice containers.
• Combine instant rice with a dehydrated sauce mix in one bag.

Remove excess packaging layers:

• Take crackers out of the cardboard box but leave them in the inner sleeve.
• Remove energy bars from the display box but keep them in individual wrappers.
• Transfer peanut butter from a heavy jar to a lightweight squeeze tube or small container.
• Repackage cooking oil into a small, leakproof bottle instead of carrying a full-size bottle.

What to Discuss with Your Counselor

When you present your trail plan, your counselor will want to see:

• Your complete menu (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack) for 3–5 people
• Your shopping list with quantities, weights, and costs
• Your repackaging plan — which items you will repackage and how
• Your waste reduction strategy — how much trash you expect to generate and how you will pack it out