dictate such). A more detailed coverage is in Subcourse MD0161, Wastewater
Treatment. This subject is also covered to some extent in other subcourses dealing
with field sanitation.
2-5.
FIELD DISPOSAL OF GARBAGE
Garbage is the solid or semisolid waste. It includes the animal and vegetable
waste and containers resulting from the preparing, cooking, and serving of food.
Garbage is disposed of by burial or incineration.
a. Burial.
(1) On the march, on bivouac, or in camps of less than 1 week's duration,
garbage is normally buried in pits or trenches. For this purpose, a pit of 4 feet square
and 4 feet deep is suitable for 1 day for a unit of 100 men. The burial area is covered
after each dump, then sprayed with insecticide, and covered at the end of the day.
When filled to within 1 foot of the surface, the pit should be sprayed with insecticide,
filled in with earth, and mounded over with an additional foot of compacted earth.
Compacting the earth is very important; it helps deny flies and rodents access to the
garbage. The pit or trench should then be marked with a sign placed on the mound,
indicating the type pit and the date closed (if the tactical situation permits such
advertising).
(2) The continuous trench is more adaptable to stays of 2 days or more. The
trench is first dug about 2 feet wide, 4 feet deep, and long enough to accommodate the
garbage for the first day. As in the cover after each dump of waste pit method, the
trench is filled to not more than 1 foot from the top. The trench is extended, as required,
and the excavated dirt is used to cover and mound the garbage already deposited. This
procedure is repeated daily or as often as garbage is dumped.
(3) Pits or trenches should not be over 30 yards from the food service area.
Garbage should not, however, be buried closer than 100 feet to any source of water
used for drinking or cooking.
b. Incineration.
(1) Garbage may be burned and reduced to ashes, which may be used for
fill; but the burial method is considered to be better and should be used whenever
possible. If burial is not practicable, an incinerator may be constructed for use in the
field if the tactical situation permits.
(2) Since incinerators will not handle wet garbage, it is necessary to separate
the liquid from the solid portion. This is done by straining the garbage with a coarse
strainer such as an old bucket, salvaged can, or 55-gallon drum (see figure 2-1) in
which holes have been punched in the bottom. The container or barrel incinerator
serves more efficiently as a filter if it is filled with material such as rocks, crushed cans,
MD0162
2-4
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