September 20, 2025 is World Cleanup Day again - the perfect occasion to actively live sustainability on tour. On this day of action, millions of volunteers in over 200 countries around the world join forces to free the environment from waste . This day is perfect for vanlife enthusiasts in particular: with a urine-diverting toilet in your van, you have maximum independence and can enjoy nature wherever you go without leaving a trace. Based on the leave no trace principle, you can ensure that your favorite places stay cleaner than you found them.
Show responsibility: Why World Cleanup Day fits in with vanlife
Vanlife means the freedom to stand almost anywhere - and to take responsibility right there. On World Cleanup Day, you can set a strong example by leaving your travel destinations cleaner than you found them. A quick round of litter picking at the parking lot or beach may cost you 10 minutes, but will improve the experience for everyone after you. We campers in particular benefit from untouched pitches in nature. So why not give something back to nature? Pack a few bin bags and gloves and make it a habit to pick up the garbage lying around every time you change campsite. This way, you can combine a sense of adventure with environmental protection and actively live the Leave No Trace concept. You'll see: It feels good to enjoy freedom with your van and make the world a little bit cleaner at the same time - not just on World Cleanup Day, but all year round.
Less waste thanks to a separating toilet: separation instead of chemicals
A dry separation toilet (separation toilet) is not only environmentally friendly, but also a zero-waste camping solution. Unlike traditional chemical toilets, it works without water and chemicals . This means: no need for chemical additives in blue plastic bottles and no disposable madness with chemical fragrance tabs. Instead, you rely on the clever principle of separating liquids and solids. This results in significantly less odor and you avoid the typical "chemical toilet smell" when emptying . Why? Because nothing is left to ferment together in a tank - urine and solids are collected separately instead of mixing into a foul-smelling broth (it is precisely this mixture of urine + faeces + chemicals that causes the pungent smell of conventional camping toilets ). With a separating toilet, you'll never have to put up with that pungent chemical smell again, neither during use nor when emptying.
BOXIO - TOILET PLUS | Composting toilet with starter set
In everyday life, a separating toilet also reduces packaging waste: you use compostable bags for the solid waste container and a natural litter instead of chemical sanitary additives. Hemp litter such as BOXIO-HEMP, for example, has proven its worth to cover solids after every "big business". This coarse-fibered hemp litter reliably binds moisture and odours - preventing odours from developing in the first place . Just a small layer of litter in the bag beforehand and one or two handfuls on top after each visit to the toilet are enough, even on warm days. Practical in late summer: when temperatures are still high during the day and the air is cooler and more humid at night, hemp litter keeps your urine-diverting toilet odorless. What's more, you no longer need aggressive cleaners: a mild, biodegradable cleaning solution such as BOXIO-CLEAN is all you need to keep the toilet hygienically clean . In short, with the separating toilet you avoid chemicals, reduce waste and can dispose of all your waste in an organized way - perfect for keeping places clean.
Another advantage: with a separating toilet, you are less dependent on disposal stations. You can dispose of liquids and solids separately and don't have to wait for the next motorhome service area . You can simply empty the urine canister every few days in a normal toilet or at a disposal station (if necessary, you can even empty it into the toilet at any rest stop along the way ). Tie up the bag with the solids and dispose of it in the nearest garbage can. This means you don't have to plan your route according to the opening hours of waste disposal stations - a real plus point for flexible, self-sufficient travel. Zero-waste camping starts with the choice of toilet: Separation instead of chemicals means fewer consumables, less packaging and less polluted waste water. You enjoy complete freedom without being a burden on the environment.
Mini cleanups on the go: clean spots thanks to small equipment
You can do your bit for clean landscapes not just on the official campaign day, but on every tour. The motto is: "Every stop a little cleanup." You don't need a lot of equipment to pick up litter along the way. Just keep a few basic items to hand: a pair of work gloves, one or two sturdy bin bags and possibly a folding grabber. These utensils hardly take up any space in the van, but make you "cleanup-ready" at all times. If you park at a nice parking space or take a break at the lake, you can spontaneously invest a few minutes and collect any garbage lying around - be it plastic bottles, cans, packaging or the famous bottle caps and cigarette butts. Unfortunately, garbage that others have left lying around can often be found at popular parking bays or hiking parking lots.
By carrying out a small mini-cleanup every time you change spots, you help to make the route more beautiful for all campers and nature lovers who follow. Collect the garbage in your bag, dispose of it properly (e.g. at the nearest service station or at home in the residual waste) and give yourself a pat on the back. 😉 These small deeds add up - that's the spirit of World Cleanup Day. Incidentally, your example will inspire others: Conversations often develop when people see you collecting garbage, and in the best case scenario, they simply join in next time. This is how Leave No Trace becomes a habit. With little effort, you can create more positive camping experiences for yourself and the community.
Correct disposal: No compromises in nature
It's not just the garbage you pick up that needs to be disposed of in an environmentally friendly way, but also your own "leftovers". There are clear basic rules for separation toilets in German-speaking countries (D-A-CH) :
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Solids belong in the residual waste. This means: If the bag in the solids container is full, simply tie it tightly and throw it in a normal waste garbage can (ideally in a residual waste garbage can). If possible, use compostable bags(e.g. BOXIO-BIO BAGS), then the whole package is biodegradable . Important: Please do not simply bury or scatter anything in nature! Even if it says "organic" on it - human faeces need professional composting in order to decompose hygienically . Composting may work in your own garden with a lot of know-how, but it is hardly practicable when you are out and about and is not advisable for environmental and health reasons. So make it easy for yourself and always dispose of the solid waste bag in the bin.
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Liquids belong in the sewage system. You can empty your urine canister in any normal toilet or sink - whether at the campsite, at the highway service station or at home. Many vanlifers do just that and simply tip the urine into the toilet at their next stop. Please never dump the contents wildly in the countryside - not even "just a little"! Even small amounts of concentrated urine can damage plants and cause unpleasant odors, and if everyone did this, our beautiful pitches would soon no longer be beautiful . It is just as taboo to pour urine into street gullies or storm drains, as these often discharge untreated liquids directly into rivers or lakes . In short: what belongs in the sewage system should also end up there. So always visit an official sanitary facility or disposal station and empty the canister there - as discreetly as possible and with a rinse with water so that nothing is left behind . Nature and the camper community will thank you for it, because this way we avoid unsightly stains, odors and trouble with local residents.
By adhering to these disposal rules, you are practicing true Leave No Trace. It may seem inconvenient, but remember: with the urine-diverting toilet, you already have a system that has made disposal much easier for you. Take advantage of this and dispose of waste correctly instead of making compromises. This keeps pitches clean, the environment intact and the image of free-standing campers positive.
Mobile bathroom for on the go: BOXIO SANITARY PLUS
Sometimes you need a little more comfort - especially when you're on the road for longer or traveling in a team. After hours of collecting garbage on Cleanup Day, you'll be glad of a shower and some privacy. This is where the mobile bathroom concept comes into play. The manufacturer Boxio offers a clever complete package for this: BOXIO SANITARY PLUS. This solution combines a separate toilet, washing facilities and privacy screen in just two stackable Euroboxes .
The heart of the set is of course the urine-diverting toilet, combined with a BOXIO-WASH washbasin module. This portable sink comes with its own fresh and waste water canisters and supplies running water via a hand pump - perfect for washing hands, brushing teeth or washing dishes. As the icing on the cake, the Sanitary PLUS includes a small pop-up privacy tent (BOXIO-TENT) that you can use as a shower cubicle or toilet tent . This protects you from prying eyes and gives you a real bathroom feeling, no matter where your van is parked. After use, everything is simply folded up again and stowed in the boxes, the bathroom-to-go can be dismantled in minutes and stowed in the trunk to save space. The Euroboxes even serve double duty on the road: stacked, you can use them as a platform, for example to raise the seat height of the urine-diverting toilet or as a small shelf.
For groups and families on tour, a mobile bathroom like this is worth its weight in gold. Each traveler can freshen up in turn without having to rely on public sanitary facilities. No queuing at the campsite shower, no running around the campsite at night - you can do all of this independently at your own pitch. The system requires neither electricity nor a water connection from outside and is therefore ideal for festival camps, simple pitches or remote cleanup sites . In short: with the BOXIO SANITARY PLUS, you have full bathroom comfort on the go, from a separate toilet to an outdoor shower, and can sit back and relax after a strenuous day of cleanup.
BOXIO SANITARY PLUS | Mobile bathroom with TENT
Quick cleaning after use
After a long day in the great outdoors - be it hiking, litter picking or camping - you naturally want to get your equipment back in shape. Don't worry: cleaning a urine-diverting toilet is uncomplicated and can be done in just a few minutes. Here's how it works: Fold up the separating insert, remove the solids bag (if full) and the urine canister and dispose of both as described above. Then give the toilet a quick clean. Aggressive chemical cleaners are unnecessary - a neutral cleaner or an ecological concentrate such as BOXIO-CLEAN is completely sufficient . If necessary, wipe out the solid waste container with a little soapy water or vinegar water (because you are using a bag, it usually stays relatively clean). Rinse the urine canister with a mixture of water and a little citric acid or vinegar to prevent deposits. The seat and separator insert will also benefit from a quick wipe with a mild cleaner. The only important thing is not to use any cleaning agents that contain grease or form a strong film, as these could leave behind a film to which dirt will later adhere .
Then allow everything to dry thoroughly - it's best to leave the lid open or air dry it disassembled. Your urine-diverting toilet is hygienically fresh again and ready for the next tour. These quick cleaning routines not only ensure better camping hygiene, but also extend the life of your equipment. Pro tip: Many vanlifers carry a small spray bottle with diluted vinegar cleaner and spray it briefly into the urine funnel after each small transaction . This way, no residue remains and everything stays odor-free. With such simple steps, your urine-diverting toilet will stay perfectly clean at all times - and so will you 😉.
Packing list for cleanup day
To make sure you are well equipped for World Cleanup Day (or your next spontaneous waste collection mission), here is a compact packing list of essentials that should not be missing from your van:
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Garbage bags: robust, sufficiently large garbage bags for the collected garbage. Ideally, you should have several smaller bags that you can distribute along the way instead of one huge one that becomes unwieldy.
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Gloves: Reusable gardening or work gloves protect your hands when picking up garbage and provide grip. This way you avoid direct contact with broken glass or dirt.
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Grabber t ongs: Lightweight waste grabber tongs (telescopic or folding version) help you to pick up waste without having to bend down all the time. They are easy on the back and also allow you to fish garbage out of thorn bushes or from under benches.
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BOXIO-BIO BAGS: Enough compostable separate toilet bags for your own solid waste. Plan enough bags depending on the duration of your trip and your fellow travelers - better one too many than too few. This way, you can dispose of "big business" at any time without being embarrassed.
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BOXIO-HEMP litter: A sufficient supply of hemp litter to bind odors in the separation toilet. Nothing is more unpleasant than suddenly being left without litter. A 5-liter bag is sufficient for about 10-15 visits to the toilet - so calculate according to the planned duration of your trip. If in doubt, take an extra pack with you; it weighs hardly anything and ensures an odorless toilet.
With this equipment, you are cleanup-ready and prepared for all eventualities. Don't forget small items such as a water bottle (don't forget hydration when collecting garbage!), possibly a small first aid kit and, of course, your personal food and drink. Equipped like this, you can start World Cleanup Day motivated and stop off at any time to pick up litter. You'll leave every place a little cleaner - and thanks to the separate toilet, you can always be sure that your footprints are minimal. Good luck and have fun cleaning up!
BOXIO - BAG BUNDLE | Compostable bin liners
FAQ
Why does a urine-diverting toilet help with cleanup?
You avoid chemicals, reduce waste and can dispose of your waste in a predictable way - perfect for keeping pitches clean and leaving no trace.
How do I dispose of waste correctly on the action day?
Solids → residual waste (well knotted in a compostable bag). Urine → empty in toilets or disposal stations. Please do not dump anything in the countryside - not even in gullies or bushes, as it harms the environment and other people.
Which products do I take with me?
BOXIO-HEMP (hemp litter) and BOXIO-BIO BAGS for the separating toilet are particularly recommended for the "zero waste" approach to camping. Plus gloves and tongs for collecting waste and a mild cleaner (e.g. vinegar solution or BOXIO-CLEAN) for toilet hygiene. So you're cleanup-ready for the day of action.
Mobile bathroom for the team?
Yes, the BOXIO SANITARY PLUS set combines a separating toilet, washing station and privacy in two Euroboxes. This means you have a complete mobile bathroom with you as a team - ideal if several people are on the road and want to shower or freshen up after the cleanup without having to rely on public sanitary facilities.
