Hopefully we don't have to always be dependent on so many other people and services to have basic dignity and sanitation.
People who live off-grid, van/rv/etc., homestead, etc. lifestyles are pioneering a future where we don't need services that aren't likely that great for the environment - such as public sewage, our reliance on fossil fuels to power and heat our homes and electronics, or unsustainable agriculture that isn't in balance with the environment or even nutritionally-dense.
I am grateful to the people who enable our standard of living to survive with some semblance of dignity, and especially those focused on solutions, so we can get to the point of self-sufficiency, sustainability, and balance in our environment as a species and planet.
Not everybody craps in plastic trash bags and throws them in the trash. There's a number of setups that do not rely on landfills/etc. to do the disposal. I think campgrounds or other parking spots for RVs/etc. and those who live in them, are a perfect first-target for regulation that rethinks waste disposal and the implementation of environmentally-friendly disposal, reuse, and remediation.
I'm of the opinion/understanding that we can't fully purify water at scale with current/emerging practices or meet increasing water needs with a shifting climate and lower precipitation using the means we rely on currently.
Off-grid/etc. lifestyles push the envelope on what is possible on a smaller scale. As most people have to get very creative to meet their needs, such as where their water comes from and solve their waste in a sustainable way. Some people have very primitive and environmentally-unfriendly setups (even when considering the small scale of their pollution/etc.) and I'm not pointing to them, I'm pointing to the people who eliminate their black water output (through composting or other means), and limit the chemicals/etc. that go into their grey water and find ways to reuse it.
I'm of the perspective that we put far too many things down the drain and that sewage/black water shouldn't be circulated in the way that it is, because it is too contaminated for further use - be it used for irrigation, as a fertilizer, or as a soil additive. Even grey water I doubt can be fully purified at scale with the amount of chemicals being dumped by the average person or industry.
I'd like to point to rising cancer rates and general levels of disease as evidence that our practices aren't sufficient. People aren't magically getting cancer at massive and increasing rates because they are simply genetically-prone, I believe there are major environmental factors and uncomfortable truths that are not being accounted for because our government is not operating in the best interest of the public that it serves.
The way I see it, people who implement these setups on a smaller-scale will be positioned to influence their local policies and governments, alongside the people they share their lifestyle and solutions with, for a better future.
Unfortunately, I don't think the world's emerging situation will allow people to live en-masse (in ever-growing numbers) in cities in their current form for too much longer.
I have been planning to homestead for close to 20 years, and just jumped into the lifestyle 2 months ago.
My wife and I are living in a tiny SUV with our cat.
We have a fridge, twin bed, warm blankets, plenty of food and water.
We have an outhouse tent for our business. It has a $4 bucket with a $15 toilet lid. I added a container and a funnel in there for liquids, and we use bags for the solids. Works for us.
We have explored the state and went to some really cool places, until we found land we purchased.
As soon as the septic is installed we can legally live in an RV, we can start a compost pile, start a garden, get chickens, and try being as self sufficient as we can.
I also want to make and design my own off grid things, for example making a wood gasifier. Then in an emergency we can run gas things from wood (generator, truck, tractor, etc).
I plan to share my experience on YouTube once we have an RV, hoping I can help people to live a more sustainable life.
If you haven't already you may wish to read The Humanure Handbook by Joe Jenkins. It outlines a practical diy composting toilet system that is low-odor and sanitary when maintained properly.
I mean, it's almost the entire service and retail economy. Shout out to the driver of the truck that did the delivery to the supermarket of the turkey you'll poop out the next day. We owe everything to everyone.
Merry Christmas and may your next poop be a blessed one.
It’s not just the actual shitting, but the lifestyle. I wouldn’t have been able to shit in luxury in Ancient Rome, not because it wasn’t possible, but because I couldn’t have accessed that tech.
We’re used to judging history in absolutes, but that isn’t how life works.
e: it’s a great list, but if you’d add all the people leading to those positions too, all along the supply chain, there are a ridiculous number of people getting paid basically nothing in every breath you take. The least we can do is recognise that and help each other.
As a woman who can't pee while standing, or at least in a way that prevents pee from getting everywhere, I very much appreciate my winter, indoor plumbing for the everyman and all the people who make it happen. And when it's the holidays, and I'm drinking, I appreciate it even more. Cold outhouse seats suuuuuuck.
Cheers to remembering how much worse it could be and how the little things we take for granted do matter.