6 Simple Sustainable Camping Trip Tips
6 Simple Sustainable Camping Trip Tips
Whether we’re hiking, biking, camping, or on the road, we cannot get enough of this beautiful planet! That is why we are so passionate about keeping it clean and reducing our waste.
Being eco-friendly and living sustainably truly is not a difficult feat. With a little preparation and the right mindset, going “green” is pretty easily obtainable, no matter where you are.
We put together a list of tips and tricks we like to use while traveling in our teardrop camper trailer that keeps us on the right track towards a sustainable camping trip.
Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
A simple saying that has been around for what seems like forever, and the perfect place to start.
Reducing the waste you create and add to the trash piling up on earth is SO important! By using products more than once and opting for items sustainably sourced, you are doing just that.
Get ready, because there are so many ways to get started!
1. Reusable Products
One of the best ways to reduce the waste you produce is by opting for reusable products. Switching to just a few of these eco-friendly options can have an enormous impact!
Water Bottles
We always have our hydro flask bottles with us on the road.
Not only does using reusable water bottles eliminate single-use plastic, but insulated bottles keep your water icy cold for the whole day! (And there’s nothing better than ice water in the desert sun).
While hiking we opt for bladders or Nalgene bottles to cut back on weight. We also LOVE our Sawyer Straw! This nifty gadget filters water straight from the creek or stream.
A 5-gallon water reservoir is always on hand in the back of the teardrop camper to make refilling quick and easy.
Reusable water bottles are arguably the easiest way to begin any sustainable camping trip.
Grocery Bags
Just like at home, we keep a couple of reusable grocery bags handy for trips to the supermarket. Or if you’re only getting a couple of items at the convenience store, opt for no bag at all.
The average American family takes home roughly 1,500 plastic shopping bags a year!
And, according to Waste Management, only ONE percent of plastic bags are returned for recycling.😔
Straws and Utensils
Say no to single-use straws and utensils!
If you’re like me, and you feel fancy with a straw, opt for eco-friendly metal or bamboo alternatives.
When camping, or even packing a lunch for work, Uco utensils are our favorite. They are super fun as they’re a fork, spoon, and knife all in one! Plus, they stack and are a great space saver. We like to keep a couple in the car in case we eat on the go.
Containers
Tupperware is great to store any leftovers, whether you made the meal yourself, or take them to a restaurant as an alternative to single-use to-go boxes. Silicone collapsable containers work perfectly in our compact camper.
Just make sure you find some that are BPA and phthalate-free.
Snack Time
We go through SO many snacks while traveling. They’re perfect for the road and the trail.
A couple years ago we realized just how much waste we were producing from individually wrapped items.
Now we buy in bulk, or make our own energy bars and trail mix, and use silicone zip locks or beeswax paper as packaging.
This minimizes packaging waste and is typically healthier!
Consolidate your Brews
One of our absolute favorite things to do while traveling is try out the local IPA.
Rather than buying cans and bottles from the grocery store, head straight to the source and grab a growler from the actual brewery. You’ll be reducing waste and supporting local businesses.
Quick Dry Cloths
An alternative for paper towels is quick-dry cloths and napkins.
There may be no plastic involved, but it requires 17 trees and 20,000 gallons of water to make one ton of paper towels. Additionally, discarded paper towels result in 254 million tons of trash globally, every year.
Who wants to save some trees with us?!
(Plus, quick-dry cloths are more compact than paper towel rolls).
Rechargeable Items
Headlamps and flashlights are the first things that come to mind.
And it is so nice to be able to plug them in for a couple of hours and not have to worry about bringing along extra batteries.
However, if you have a battery-powered headlamp that you LOVE, opt for rechargeable batteries.
There are solar-powered chargers for both options, so you won’t even need to use your camper’s battery! Just the trusty sun.
We also have a solar-powered lamp that keeps camp illuminated and is 100% earth-friendly! We simply put it in a sunny area when we’ve found our spot for the night and its ready by sundown.
2. Recycle
It’s inevitable that you will obtain some waste, even if you try to minimize what you use.
Make sure to dispose of everything properly, and opt for recyclable packaging when available. Such as choosing boxed water over bottled.
While on the road you may need to hang on to your recyclables longer than you would at home, but it is worth it to keep them from ending up in the landfill.
A quick google search can help you find the nearest recycling center to you. Make sure to check the operating hours before you make the trip!
3. Conserve Water
One-Pot Meals
You may be wondering how cooking a meal can make you more sustainable.
If you only use a single pot, you will have fewer dishes and therefore require less water for cleanup.
Less cleanup means more time to relax!
And if you’re anything like Danny, you’ll reduce your cleanup further by eating straight from the pot!
Dirty Dishes Bin
This was a game-changer for us. Before we found the collapsible bin we use now, we would try to dump soapy water from bowl to bowl in order to conserve it.
Having a reservoir makes life so much easier and uses WAY less water to get the job done!
Check the camping isles in Wal-Mart for a decent, collapsible sink. There are even some options with a built-in cutting board. This is what space-savers dream of!
4. Borrow, Share, Rent
If you’re setting out for your first trip, whether it’s camping, backpacking, hiking, or anything in between, try to borrow or rent gear before diving headfirst and purchasing.
We have accumulated gear overtime that we absolutely LOVE. However in the process, we found some items and brands that we either didn’t really need or found alternatives we liked better.
When you do go to buy, explore used items first. Not only is this the Green choice, but you’ll usually save a ton of money! One of our favorite things is to go to REI Garage Sales to find used gear that still has a lot of life left. Find out when the next REI Garage Sale is nearest to you here.
After you do buy, if anything breaks, try to fix it! Don’t go throwing away perfectly good gear due to a tear or ailment. There are plenty of companies, local and nation wide, that can fix most things.
5. Leave no trace
Stick to the Trail
Off-trail trekking can cause erosion and harm to native vegetation. While it may be very enticing, do your best to stay on marked paths, especially if the sediment is soft or loose.
Additionally, choosing soft sole shoes will reduce your literal footprints on the environment.
Resist the Urge to Build Cairns
Not only are cairns used by rangers to mark trails, but creating them can disrupt the natural environment.
It doesn’t seem like stacking a few rocks makes a huge difference, but it can gradually lead to more extreme disruptions and the relocation of larger rocks. Not to mention the misdirection of your fellow hikers.
Litter is Bad
Okay. That statement is probably quite obvious for most people.
But don’t litter!
Even “biodegradable” items like fruit peels, nutshells, and apple cores. These things can take much longer to degrade than you expect. Did you know it takes a banana peel to TWO YEARS to decompose?
Additionally, this can disrupt the natural instincts of animals and cause them to eat something that may not be good for them. Or lead them to more dangerous areas, such as close to busy roads.
Also, try to pick up litter, even if it is not yours. Rather than stepping over a wrapper, pack it out!
This goes for anything you pack in as well, including toilet paper.
Human Waste
If you’ve got to go, you’ve got to go. But please make sure no one else has to know that you went.
Always dig a hole at least 6 inches deep, 200 meters from a water source, and bury it back up when you’re finished. The heal of your boot makes for a nice shovel alternative if you do not have one on hand.
Remember to bring a bag to pack out your trash, including toilet paper.
Ideally don’t use a clear bag, because, well, you know.
Gray Water Disposal
It’s certain that you will accumulate some waste water while camping.
After doing dishes or washing clothes, dispose of your water in a dry area away from natural water sources as to not contaminate anything.
6. Choose Eco Friendly, Biodegradable and Toxic-Free Products
Not only are these products healthier for the environment than their chemical-filled counterparts, but they are typically better for you!
Switching to biodegradable products is crazy easy, and is vital for a sustainable camping trip.
Bug Repellant
I don’t know about you, but mosquitoes LOVE my blood. If there is one in the area, it is biting me.
Bug sprays with essential oils work great, and often smell great too! Whatever you do, try to stay away from those with deet.
When you’re at your campsite, opt for a bug repellent lantern. They often don’t use any chemicals and you will be shielded from the little enemies.
Soaps
Always go for the biodegradable options, but try to use sparingly and not directly in lakes or rivers.
Even biodegradable soaps can have negative effects on the waterways and should be used at least 200 feet from natural water.
I like to use a leave-in conditioner while camping. It is one less thing to rinse out of my hair, saves water, and arguably works better.
Sunscreen
Many sunscreens have harsh chemicals such as oxybenzone, which has been proven to be detrimental to coral reefs and our waterways.
Some places, including Hawaii, have even banned sunscreens that have this chemical in them. Stream to Sea has great eco-friendly products to keep your skin and the environment safe.
Toothpaste
Many kinds of toothpaste have toxic ingredients to plants and animals, and most people spit straight on the ground when camping.
Opt for organic options, be cautious of where you spit, and try to dilute your spit with water.
To reduce your plastic consumption, try toothpaste tablets.
That’s a Wrap
We don’t expect you to adopt these tips over night, but they are great to keep in mind and work towards for greener, more sustainable travel.
If you love exploring nature, take care of it!
We want to hear your green tips! What additional tricks do you use to stay sustainable while on the road or camping?
Thinking about building a teardrop camper of your own, check out our top 11 reasons why you should here!