Camping is a great way to get away from the rush of normal life, the rule of technology, and reconnect with nature. There is something about sleeping under the stars that fills your soul and puts all of life’s problems in perspective. Camping is a holiday that you can take which leaves the smallest ecological footprint. If you want to start camping but aren’t sure how to do it in the most environmentally friendly way possible, read on!
1. Pick your camping spot
The first step in eco-conscious camping for beginners is picking a sustainable campsite. A campsite that is set up to promote environmental conservation will have the infrastructure in place to help you camp as greenly as possible.
Cooking in their designated areas helps prevent wildfires. Washing up after cooking and showering will be done by making use of the campsite’s water, which prevents polluting natural water sources. The campsite will have green-friendly ways of handling waste disposal including things such as a composting site.
If you want to camp in wild spaces, look for a spot that is already cleared and flattened. That way you won’t need to disturb natural vegetation.
2. Gather camping gear
There’s no need to rush out and buy all new equipment, especially if you’re not sure whether you’ll even like camping. Ask around, borrow from friends or rent what you need.
Getting the most possible use from an item before discarding it is a key sustainability practice. Camping gives you the perfect opportunity to do just that. Once you’re hooked and you know that it’s something you’ll be doing often, purchase what you need by choosing durable, good-quality gear that will last a long time. Bonus points for finding gear made from natural fibers or recycled materials.
3. Cleaning supplies that are natural and eco-friendly
Getting clean and washing dishes while camping should all be done with biodegradable soaps and detergents. If you aren’t at a campsite, make sure you do your ablutions and wash up at least 60 metres from the water source. This will prevent the water source from becoming polluted.
4. Whatever you brought with, take it home afterwards
This simple rule will ensure that the impact of your camping ecological footprint is minimal. There was space for all the items on the way in, there should be space for them all on the way home.
What about biodegradable waste? If you want to leave that behind, you should bury it. Even leaving a banana peel in a forest could cause issues for animals who don’t usually eat bananas.
Camping is one of the easiest outings to adapt to being eco-friendly. Each small decision you make to do something that is kind to the earth will help reduce the ecological footprint of your trip. As you look after nature, you’ll be rewarded with sights, sounds, and memories that you can treasure forever.
