Some years back we lived near an A&W rootbeer stand.  They sold a gallon of rootbeer for a set price if you brought your own container.  We had an insulated jug we had purchased in Canada, and we always took that.  They didn't say what kind of gallon.  Naturally, now that I have matured, I would never do anything so underhanded.  Besides, I don't have the jug anymore.

As to the idea of using a 5 gal bucket and plastic bag instead of a Porti-Potti in your Vanagon, it would not be "just as good."  Even ignoring odor, which doesn't happen with a Porta-Potti, you now have the problem of disposing of plastic bags containing human waste.  This is legally a bio-hazardous material, and dumping it down a toilet is no longer an option.  No thanks.

Also, Thetford (maker of the Porti-Potti) is a great company.  In the early '70s, my wife worked for them.  At that time, they did their IPO, and Thetford arranged with a local bank to guarantee loans to employees to buy the stock.

Bill (SE Arizona) (Bill@freeholder.com) HTTP://www.freeholder.com
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Censorship is the assassination of ideas.  No matter how well-meaning its
proponents may be, they are more dangerous to us than any outside enemy.

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