Becoming a Certified Leave No Trace Trainer: How ‘Dispose of Waste Properly’ Changed My Life -On and Off the Trail (Part 2)

13

So, let’s talk trash—literally and metaphorically. For my Leave No Trace (LNT) certification, I was assigned Principle 4: Dispose of Waste Properly. At first, I thought, “Easy. Everyone knows how to deal with trash, right?” But here’s the thing—it goes way beyond just picking up after yourself. It’s about understanding all kinds of waste—time, energy, and opportunities—and how they pile up in ways we often don’t realize. And that realization hit me harder than I expected.

Why I Chose This Topic

When I picked “Dispose of Waste Properly” for my LNT certification, it seemed like the most practical and relatable choice. You see trash everywhere—especially on trails—and it’s one of the biggest challenges for outdoor enthusiasts here in the Philippines. Whether it’s at the peak of Mt. Pulag or the beaches of Zambales, you can’t avoid seeing plastic bottles, wrappers, or worse—cigarette butts left behind by hikers.

But as I dug deeper into the principle, I realized it’s more than just handling physical waste. It’s about what we waste on a daily basis—our time, our energy, our opportunities—and how we can be more mindful about what we let go to waste.

What Are the Wastes in Our Daily Life?

Let’s zoom out from the physical trash for a moment and think about the waste we don’t talk about enough—time. Ever caught yourself wasting an entire hour scrolling on Instagram or binge-watching YouTube videos? Yep, guilty. I’ve had those moments where I promised myself I’d “just check my feed real quick,” and before I knew it, I was deep into random videos about cats or unboxing gadgets I’ll never buy.

The truth is, waste isn’t just physical. It’s anything that drains your energy or takes up time without adding value. In the same way we pack out trash from a hike, we should be “packing out” the unnecessary distractions in our daily lives.

Wasting Time is Equivalent to Wasting Life

This one’s a little heavy, but stick with me: wasting time is basically wasting life. Yeah, I know—it sounds intense, but think about it. Every time I procrastinate or spend hours doing something pointless, I’m throwing away moments I could have used to do something that matters—whether it’s hiking a new trail, spending time with loved ones, or pursuing personal growth.

On our hike during the certification in Benguet, we had limited daylight to complete certain tasks. Time wasted meant less daylight, which meant navigating the trail at night, and in my case, teaching under the night sky. It was a real-life example of how wasting time in the moment can have bigger consequences later on. And just like on the trail, those wasted moments can add to missed life opportunities.

If not now, when? How many times have we said we’ll do something “later” or “tomorrow”? Before you know it, tomorrow turns into next week, next week turns into next month, and suddenly, you’ve missed your window. We treat time like it’s an unlimited resource, but spoiler alert: it’s not.

Why Do We Waste Things?

So, why do we waste things in the first place? Whether it’s time, energy, or even money, I think a lot of it comes down to convenience and distraction. It’s easier to leave trash behind than to carry it out of the trail, just like it’s easier to watch one more episode of that Netflix show than to start that project you’ve been putting off.

we waste because we don’t always see the immediate impact… when you leave a plastic bottle behind on a trail, it’s just one bottle, right? But multiply that by hundreds of hikers, and suddenly you’ve got a major problem on your hands. The same goes for wasting time— those minutes become hours, days, and eventually, regrets.

I also noticed that we waste because we don’t always see the immediate impact. For instance, when you leave a plastic bottle behind on a trail, it’s just one bottle, right? But multiply that by hundreds of hikers, and suddenly you’ve got a major problem on your hands. The same goes for wasting time—when you spend a few minutes on social media, it doesn’t feel like a big deal, but over time, those minutes become hours, days, and eventually, regrets.

Real Life Outdoor Waste Issues in the Philippines: Lake Tabeyo

One moment that really opened my eyes to the impact of waste was during a hike to Lake Tabeyo. What should have been a peaceful, scenic stop was ruined by a pile of trash left behind by campers—plastic bottles, wrappers, and cans. It was frustrating to see such a beautiful place treated like a garbage dump. That experience drove home the importance of the Dispose of Waste Properly principle, and while this moment wasn’t part of my certification, it reminded me why I’m committed to these values.

Though we hadn’t planned for it, a few of us took the time to clean up what we could. It wasn’t easy carrying the extra trash, but leaving Lake Tabeyo in a better state than we found it? Totally worth it. This is a bigger topic I’ll be diving into in another post, but that experience stuck with me as a reminder of how much more work needs to be done to protect our outdoor spaces.

The Extent of LNT in My Life

I realized that the Dispose of Waste Properly principle doesn’t just apply to hiking. It’s a philosophy I can take with me in my everyday life. It’s about being intentional with everything—how I spend my time, how I use my resources, and how I manage my space. Just like packing out my trash from a hike, I need to clear out the clutter in my life—the distractions, the habits that don’t serve me, and the things that waste my energy.

This also means letting go of things that don’t bring value—whether that’s toxic relationships, bad habits, or even physical stuff that’s just taking up space. The less waste you allow in your life, the more room you have for things that actually matter.

How Can I Apply This Principle in My Everyday Life?

Here’s how I’ve started applying the Dispose of Waste Properly principle in everyday life:

• Mindful Time Management: I’ve started being more intentional with how I spend my time. I’m not saying I’ve given up Netflix entirely, but now I make sure to block out time for the things that actually matter—like working on my blog, getting outside for a hike, or even just reading a good book.
• Decluttering My Mental Space: Just like clearing a campsite of trash, I’m working on clearing the mental clutter. Whether it’s overthinking or holding on to past mistakes, it’s all waste that I don’t need.
• Physical Decluttering: I’ve started going through my stuff at home and letting go of things that don’t add value. Do I really need that old shirt I haven’t worn in two years? Nope. It’s time to let it go.
• Sustainable Choices: From using reusable bags and water bottles to being more conscious of what I buy, I’m finding small ways to minimize my impact on the environment in everyday life.

“Dispose of Waste Properly” started as a hiking principle, but it’s quickly become a way of life. It’s about being intentional—not just on the trail, but in everything we do. Whether it’s managing physical trash or letting go of what’s weighing us down mentally, the principle reminds us to be mindful and make room for the things that really matter.

So next time you’re on a hike—or even just sitting at home—ask yourself: What am I wasting? Is it time, energy, or opportunities? And how can I start cleaning up my life, one small step at a time?

Because in the end, life’s too short to leave a trail of regrets. 🌿