ZERO WASTE CAMPING: HOW TO REDUCE YOUR FOOTPRINT
Welcome to the world of zero waste camping – a greener, more sustainable approach to exploring nature! Although camping is viewed as an “eco-friendly” getaway, you’ll find that camping often generates a significant amount of wasteÂ
However, with sustainable practices on the rise, there is a growing interest in zero waste camping to reduce your footprint. With a little planning and preparation, you can easily go camping while producing no trash at all! Here are some helpful tips on how to embrace zero waste camping and reduce your footprint.
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benefits of zero waste camping
reduce your footprint
By adapting a zero waste mindset to your camping experience, you will contribute to lowering pollution, minimizing waste, and helping to preserve wildlife habitats.
Zero waste camping is incredibly important now more than ever, as air pollution levels are rapidly rising and we are producing more waste.Â
Additionally, our waste is finding its way into the wrong environments. For example, plastics are being wrongly consumed by fish and other animals. As a result, these plastics will find their way back to us when we ingest those animals.
However, you can still reduce your footprint and help lower pollution levels. Although you may feel you aren’t making a difference, I promise you every single person makes a difference. The average person’s carbon footprint in the United States is 16 tons, which is higher than anywhere else in the world.Â
By adapting to a more sustainable lifestyle now, you will be a part of creating a more eco-friendly environment for the future generations.
tips for zero waste camping:
- Prep ALL meals and snacks in advance.
- Use reusable containers and bottles.
- Avoid canned foods, processed foods, and single-use items.
- Bring reusable plates, bowls, cups, silverware, cloth napkins, and dish towels instead of disposables.
- Dispose of your leftover food (compost) properly – either in a compost bin on-site, or bury it 8 inches deep and 200 feet away from your campsite and any water source.
essential Zero Waste Camping Gear
reusable water bottles & containers
First, be sure to bring reusable water bottles and containers for storing all food and drinks during your camping experience. Glass is the most sustainable and healthiest option for bottles and food containers. However, stainless steel is a good, alternative choice!
Generally, try to avoid plastic-based containers altogether. When we use plastic, we’re ingesting the chemicals used to create the plastic, which leads to health problems and a disruption in our immune systems.Â
Not to mention, plastic takes 600 years (or longer) to break down naturally. Together we can conserve natural resources, save money, and protect the environment by ditching plastic and using sustainable containers instead.
Silicone food storage bags are a great sustainable alternative to plastic Ziplock bags. Reusable bee’s wax wraps are another option, too.
Biodegradable Toiletries
soap:
Unfortunately, conventional soaps contain harmful chemicals, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, that are found to be highly toxic for you and the environment. Choosing a natural, plant-based soap is highly important to keep nature clean and wildlife safe.
Overall, the best choice is Carolina Castile Soap. This castile soap is EWG Verified and can be used as dish soap, shampoo, body wash, and even laundry detergent!Â
shampoo:
When choosing a shampoo, avoid the following ingredients: sulfates, parabens, polyethylene glycols, triclosan, formaldehyde, synthetic fragrances/colors, dimethicone, and retinyl palmitate – these are toxic chemicals and cause damage to your hair and increase your risk of infertility, asthma, mood changes, weight gain, and various types of cancers. These chemicals are also toxic to the environment and should be avoided at all costs.
Instead, find a biodegradable and EWG Verified shampoo here.Â
body wash:
Similarly, choosing an eco-friendly body wash is important during camping as well. Aleavia Enzymatic Prebiotic Cleanse is my preferred body wash. It is plant-based and has only 7 ingredients, all of which are 100% pure.
I know I sound like a broken record, but check the EWG Verified body wash cleansers so you know you’re buying a safe body wash!
toilet paper:
Biodegradable toilet paper, such as Cabot Tree Free TP, is a wonderful alternative to traditional toilet paper. Surprisingly, traditional toilet paper can take as long as 3 years to fully breakdown! By using thinner toilet paper, such as 1-ply, you will reduce your footprint significantly.Â
Alternatively, campers commonly use a pee cloth and a portable bidet rather than toilet paper, but to each his own!
sustainable kitchenware
dinnerware:
The most important aspect of zero waste camping is to bring your own dinnerware – plates, bowls, cups, and silverware. Cloth napkins and dish towels should also be used rather than paper-based products and sponges. By avoiding disposables on your camping trip, zero waste camping becomes much more attainable!
For reference, enamel is my favorite choice for camping dinnerware. It is extremely lightweight and eco-friendly. Not to mention affordable! The 24-Piece Enamel Dinnerware Set by Coleman is a great set for camping. It comes with plates, bowls, mugs, and silverware for 4 people.
cookware:
Additionally, choosing sustainable cookware is an essential part of camping. Popular choices include titanium, aluminum, stainless steel and cast iron. A good starter choice is the Alocs Camping Cookware Set, which is made from aluminum, stainless steel, and silicone.
Camp grill:
A camp grill is mainly used for grilling meats and other veggies, but you can still use pots and pans to cook on a grill, too! For boiling water and making soups, a stove may be more beneficial.Â
camp stove:
Camp stoves are a popular choice for making coffee in a percolator, using a tea kettle, and cooking with a pot or pan.
Camp griddle:
The griddle is the best option for cooking a large batch of eggs, pancakes, or a stir-fry.Â
camp fire:
Ah, the classic camping experience! When it comes to taste and convenience, cooking over a campfire is unparalleled. It can be more difficult to build and maintain a fire, but if done properly, they are a great method for cooking. Not having to carry a stove or grill is an added benefit to cooking with a camp fire.Â
Remember to always practice safety when cooking over a campfire. Open fire cooking can be extremely dangerous for you, the environment, and wildlife. Once the wood burns, toxins are released into the air that increase pollution levels and become toxic when inhaled. Keep in mind, when sparks and ashes fly, there is no knowing where it may land – a nearby tree, a lake, or possibly your tent.Â
Portable camp grills, stoves, and griddles are the safest, most eco-friendly option to reduce your footprint and lower pollution levels.
understanding zero waste camping
In summary, for successful zero waste camping, choose reusable food containers, dinnerware, and water bottles over plastic and disposables to avoid unnecessary trash. In addition to this, pre-prep all your meals and snacks in advance to avoid further waste while camping.
When we camp responsibly, we’re doing our part to keep the environment and wildlife safe and healthy. Remember, reduce your footprint means if you use less, you will create less waste.Â
Moreover, with the right gear and planning, zero waste camping becomes an achievable and rewarding experience. Let’s all take a step towards a greener future and make our camping trips more eco-friendly!
TIPS TO reduce your footprint:
- Do not contaminate water sources with human waste or soaps. Always wash and bathe at least 200 feet from a nearby water source.
- Do not set-up camp near a river or lake, as it can cause increased erosion and pollutants from bare soil.
- When disposing of “grey water” (water that has been used for cooking or cleaning), throw it across a large area to avoid damaging one location. Alternatively, you can dispose of grey water in a utility sink or disposal unit if your campground has one.
Curious to know what your carbon footprint is? Check out the carbon footprint calculator here!
interested in a zero waste lifestyle?
A zero waste lifestyle involves minimizing your production of waste by being mindful of your consumption and making sustainable choices.
