If you love camping and caravanning, but hate waste, then you’ll love our top 5 green camping hacks!
Use solar Energy
By switching to solar energy when camping, not only will you be ‘doing your bit’ for the environment but your wallet too. Switching to solar power could help to reduce pitching costs (since you won’t require an electric hook up). Furthermore, you will also have the freedom to travel ‘off-grid’ meaning there is no need to stop in a designated camp zone to use the electricity inside your caravan. Investing in solar panels will also help to maintain the condition of your caravan’s leisure battery when it is stationary or in storage for long periods.
Camp Closer to Home
Many campers and caravanners travel a fair distance to reach their chosen campsite. However, by doing so you could be missing out on some equally beautiful places, right on your very own doorstep! When planning your next caravan holiday, why not try and scout the local campsites first? By camping closer to home you could save a fortune on fuel costs, not to mention less time travelling means more time relaxing on holiday!
Say no to Disposable
Single use cutlery, sauce packets, food packets, water bottles and toiletries are all very convenient in a camping environment, yet unnecessary and wasteful. Next time you head on a camping or caravanning holiday try and re-plan your shopping list to be less ‘disposable’ and more ’reusable’. Think about all the food and drink you would normally take and consider whether a ‘greener’ option is available. For example, instead of relying on the convenience of bottled water, invest in some good quality water bottles and refill from the tap onsite.
Ditch the Baby Wipes
Most seasoned campers love the convenience of baby wipes, because, let’s face it… they’re pretty darn convenient! Not only are they excellent for mopping up messes on the go but they’re the perfect way to freshen up while camping. Unfortunately, however, most baby wipes are made of non bio-degradable components such as plastic. In addition to being almost impossible to break down, baby wipes are also single use, which makes them extremely uneconomical. Instead of carelessly throwing away a single use plastic sheet next time you need to mop up a spill, why not save on environmental costs by making your own baby wipes? This is a task far easier than it sounds. Plus, not only will it help save the environment, but your wallet too!
To make your baby wipes all you’ll need is some distilled water, rubbing alcohol, washing liquid and old (but clean) rags. Mix three parts water with one part rubbing alcohol and 5-6 drops of washing liquid and place the rags in the liquid to soak. Keep adding the rags until the water is fully absorbed. Once all the water is absorbed, pop the wipes into a sealable Tupperware container. If you like, you could also put them into an old baby wipe packet. Save the used ‘baby wipes’ in a plastic bag and toss them in the wash once you return home. The rags can be used in the solution time and time again!
Don’t Over pack
By buying and packing just what you need for your next camping holiday you can greatly reduce the amount of waste you produce. On your next trip try packing just what you need and nothing more! This is much easier said than done for most of us, especially those of us with children in tow. When packing, it can be so tempting to stuff our bags with plenty of ‘just in case’ items that we will never use. Unless it’s something that could save you in a crisis (such as a first aid kit), If you’re not 100% sure you are going to use it, don’t pack it!