Camping is a great way to experience the outdoors and truly immerse yourself in your surroundings. It is an extremely popular accommodation alternative for many when on vacation. But with the hordes, comes the hurt for the environment. So how can we make sure we treasure and protect the locations we are so keen to camp in? Here are some tips on how to keep your camping sustainable and a lovely shade of eco-friendly green!
Location
In the very
first instance, consider your location in terms of how far away it is from your
home. Make a note of fuel costs for the distance you’re travelling and try to
offset your carbon footprint in another area.
Waste
You can think
of this before, during and after camping. When you are planning what to pack
make sure you are taking food items in reusable containers so there’s less mess
while you are away. Also make sure to pack refillable water bottles. During
your travels, make sure you are collecting your rubbish and storing it
responsibly. Finally, as your trip comes to an end make sure all the collected
rubbish is disposed of and recycled properly at the appropriate facilities.
Human Waste
Make sure
you’re not creating any health hazards for fellow campers or wildlife by
leaving yours lying around! If you don’t have a portable loo or access to
onsite bathrooms make sure your waste is buried properly. If you are a camping
goddess and it happens to be that time of the month, why not consider a
menstrual cup to avoid using disposable products that can be pretty grim to get
rid of?
A Friend of the Earth
When you arrive
at your chosen camp spot, why not check the area out and clean up anything that
shouldn’t be there – even if it’s not yours. And of course, when you leave,
make sure the area is left in a condition which matches how you would have
liked it to have been when you arrived. Leave no trace! (Unless you’re tidying
someone else’s mess, in which case there’s a trace of you tidying…but that’s a
good thing!)
Campfires
First of all,
you should make sure there are no fire restrictions in your chosen campsite. If
there aren’t, ensure your fire spot is at least 15 ft away from any tents,
trees or flammable items. Alternatively, why not consider a portable stove?
Don’t forget, fires aren’t rubbish piles so please don’t burn anything that
shouldn’t be burned. If the fire isn’t needed for heat purposes you could also
try using a portable solar lamp for light as an alternative!
Equipment
This can start
in the planning stages of your camping trip. You can research eco-friendly
products and equipment such as tents made with 100% recycled materials. Or
biodegradable soap that won’t be toxic to the environment when you wash items.
Hopefully this
article has provided you with some helpful tips to help make your camping
ventures that bit more pleasant for the environment! If you think we’ve missed
anything or would like any further guidance, please don’t hesitate to get in touch
with us!
Yes, LEAVE NO TRACE!!