For most adventure seekers, the definition of an outdoor getaway is usually a peaceful campsite within the woods, in the middle of nowhere with good company (or just me-time!), and of course, good food. We’ve all been there. But while camping always remember to ‘leave no trace’ (like you were never even there!); in other words, camp in such a way that it has minimum impact on the environment.
So, in today’s good guide to eco-friendly camping, let us look at ways in which you can have a great time outdoors and leave no trace behind!
Easy ways to go eco-camping
Here’s a list of easy ways that will help you be more mindful on your next eco-friendly camping trip!
1. Pack light and pack mindfully
Avoid packing single-use plastics when you visit the outdoors. Most waste found at campsites includes plastic bags and packaging. Make simple kitchen swaps from plastic to reusable containers, silicone bags, and beeswax wraps. Similarly, avoid products with toxic ingredients. These products may include your sunscreen, face wash, toothpaste, or body wash.
2. Borrow, rent, or repair gear over purchasing new ones
Always keep borrowing and sharing camping gear as your first option. It’s not only good for the environment but is also pocket-friendly. If you have camping gear that is broken or torn, consider getting it repaired first, instead of buying a new one.
3. Minimize your carbon footprint when traveling
Try to skip flights for shorter distances to minimize your carbon footprint. To travel to your campsite, choose to travel by road or take the train. If the campsite is nearby, instead of taking your own vehicle, opt for a carpool service or transportation provided by the campsite (if any).
4. Build campfires that do not harm the surroundings
There are campsites that do not allow campfires at all, while there are others where you have designated pits made to start a fire. Make sure to read about the rules and accordingly, decide what to do. Make sure to extinguish the fire before leaving the campsite. The best way to put out a fire is to pour water over it and ensure it is fully extinguished. And if you smoke, make sure the cigarette is not still burning even after you stub it, as it takes just a small flame or spark to cause a huge wildfire.
5. Dispose of your garbage properly
It’s best to carry a small bin or a bag along to collect all your waste, be it food waste or just packaging. Once you find a proper dustbin, dump the waste into it. In addition, if you are washing clothes or dishes, do not do it directly into any water body. The water body is an important source of drinking water for the wildlife and people living around it. So, it’s always best to take some water in a container and do the cleaning separately, away from the water source.
Eco-friendly camping gear for your next adventure
You can find planet-friendly options for your eco-friendly camping gear, too! Yes, you read that correctly. Now you can have a fun, and rejuvenating nature-friendly experience in the wild. All you have to do is choose any of these camping gear options over the regular ones, before you go camping next time.
1. Sleeping Bags
A good night’s sleep is extremely essential, whether it was a regular day at work or a day-long trek outdoors. While on your trek, make sure to have a sleeping bag that is comfortable to sleep in as well as easy to carry around, while you go hiking.
For the best down sleeping bag options, you should visit Feathered Friends. They have super lightweight sleeping bag options that can provide you with enough insulation for a good sleep outdoors, even on a cold night. Backpackers should definitely check out this amazing brand as some of their options fit right in the category of the best backpacking sleeping bags.
2. Sleeping Pads
It is important to have some kind of support underneath your sleeping bag to make sure you are comfortably off the ground. The surface of a camping ground can not only be hard and uneven, but can also get super cold very easily, especially in winters.
A down sleeping pad or a down sleeping mat provides you both – elevation from the cold ground as well as insulation. So, it is one of the camping list must-haves. You can check out some ultra-lightweight & self-inflating options on Big Agnes and Halti.
3. Cookware & Cutlery
Good food equals a good time while camping. But you can’t carry your whole kitchen on an outdoor trip, of course. Packaged food is no good either. So, the most appropriate choice is to do some cooking, yourself. It’s best to carry stainless steel cookware sets that are multipurpose and can be used on a woodfire as well as on a stove.
For e.g., a steel pot without a non-stick coating can be used to boil water as well as cook vegetables. Since steel is eco-friendly, you have nothing to worry about. The same goes for reusable cutlery; opt either for bamboo straws, forks, and spoons, or go for stainless steel cutlery. Check out some amazing options on the Zero Waste Store. For cookware options, you can visit Greenspan.
4. LED Lanterns
Other than the headlamps, you should definitely add an LED Lantern to your eco-camping equipment list. It helps a lot when cooking and staying outdoors at night, while trekking. Solar-powered LED lanterns are the talk of the town as more and more options are entering the market. They are lightweight, easy to carry, and even easier to charge.
Check out the Solar Lantern Phone Chargers by LuminAID. Just as the name suggests, the lantern has a compact foldable design, is waterproof, and comes with the added benefit of a phone charging system. Not just this, it floats too! And so, we would definitely recommend it as a must-have eco-friendly camping gear for adventure seekers.
5. Water Filter Bottles
Staying hydrated is extremely important while trekking; but you can’t always get clean drinking water around. Even if you are around a stream or a river, there is absolutely no guarantee that the water body is safe for drinking.
Boiling water is an option. But while on the go, it is difficult to stop every now and then. The best and easiest option is to carry eco-friendly bottles with filters. Our recommendation is LifeStraw Go. You can find amazing bottles and straws in all kinds of sizes.
So, the next time you head out to the woods for a fun weekend, make sure to take these amazing products along, for an eco-friendly camping adventure. And yes, don’t forget to spread the word!
