Human diets consist of things like refined sugars, alcohol, preservatives, meat, prescription medications and \ other things that lead to the growth of bad bacteria. Second, humans are exposed to a much wider array of bacteria and viruses than any animal in the wild. Diseases like hepatitis, cholera, typhoid, E. coli, adenovirus, polio, candida, and others all spread through poop. Lastly, the number of people who recreate (and poop) outdoors has grown rapidly over the last 30 years and that recreation is concentrated around select areas, often near water sources. Lots of poop in smaller areas, means greater likelihood that pathogens will spread. 

Many sources suggest that on average it takes human poop one year to fully decompose when buried in the soil. This varies based on soil temperature and moisture - the two biggest factors for decomposition. Our research suggests that when three PACT Tabs are buried with poop decomposition time improves to 4-6 weeks on average. So, roughly 10x faster on average. In addition, we’ve found a 66% reduction of human coliforms (i.e. bacteria) like E. coli during that same time period. 

You should pack out your waste when recreating in any of the following types of areas: arid deserts, the alpine (places where trees do not grow), anywhere that doesn’t allow you to get 200’ from water sources (e.g. narrow canyons), and anywhere that the local regulations mandate pack out methods. When a mandate is in place it is generally because the area receives so much traffic that the soil couldn’t handle the volume of buried waste even with our PACT Mycelium Tabs. Generally, most other areas should be okay to bury. But, it’s always a good idea to research this in advance.

Leave No Trace Principles state that packing out toilet paper is ideal, but that burial is acceptable if it’s buried 6-8” deep at the bottom of the cat-hole, and there’s no chance that it could be unearthed. PACT Wipes were designed to make decomposition much more rapid than toilet paper. In fact, they actually speed up the decomposition of your poop as well. How? PACT Wipes are free of additives commonly found in toilet paper and conventional wet wipes and they’re wet when buried. Mycelium loves wet, fibrous material. So, the mycelium in PACT Tabs feed on the Wipe first, getting stronger and more prolific, decomposing the poop faster. Our tests showed complete decomposition of the PACT Wipe in approximately two weeks on average.

Our species of mycelium was very carefully researched in partnership with top microbiologists and mycologists. Our species possesses several important characteristics. First, it is native across the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska. It is non-invasive and non-aggressive, meaning it will not spread after its food source is exhausted. Instead its life cycle will end and it will become food for other microorganisms. It is tolerant of a wide range of temperatures and ecosystems.