Sustainable Camping Gear & Tips for Your Next Outdoor Adventure
When planning your next camping adventure, consider ways to make it sustainable and eco-friendly. You’ll be closer to nature than you may usually be, so your efforts will be appreciated. Sustainability while camping should revolve around the idea of "Leave No Trace." The seven principles are:
- Plan and Prepare
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Respect Wildlife
- Be Considerate of Other Visitors
- Leave What You Find
Let’s take a more detailed look at each principle.
1. Plan and Prepare
This one is self-explanatory—know before you go! Please ensure you see the Leave No Trace principles and how to implement them. Have an idea of where you will camp before getting there, what kind of terrain to expect, if there’s any camping gear you need to borrow or purchase, etc. The better prepared you are, the easier it will be to stick to these principles.
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Durable surfaces include established trails, campsites, rock, gravel, dry grass, and snow. Avoid fragile environments like meadows, tundra, and dunes. When you camp, make sure to do so in a small group and spread out to avoid creating new campsites.
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
Pack it in, pack it out! This means you must bring all your trash with you when you leave. If you bring food in cans, be sure to recycle. You can also burn toilet paper and garbage if you have a campfire; just make sure the ashes are cool before you dispose of them.
4. Minimize Campfire Impacts
If you do have a campfire, only use dead and fallen wood. Don’t cut live trees or branches for firewood. Use a small shovel to dig a pit for your fire, and make sure the ashes are cold before you leave them behind. Be sure to read all campsite rules related to having a campfire and be aware of wildfire prevention.
5. Respect Wildlife
Observe wildlife from a distance and do not approach them. Don’t feed them, either—this can disrupt their natural behavior and make them reliant on humans for food. Make sure to store your food correctly so that animals can’t get to it.
6. Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Be respectful of other campers and hikers. Make sure you’re not making too much noise, especially at night. Be considerate of their space and privacy.
7. Leave What You Find
This one is simple—don’t take anything with you that doesn’t belong to you. This includes rocks, flowers, leaves, etc. If you find something interesting, take a picture of it instead!
Sustainable Habits at the Campsite
- Pack out all the trash: This includes everything from food wrappers to fire starters. Not only is it littering, but it can also attract animals and impact the local ecosystem.
- Use eco-friendly soap: When washing yourself or your dishes, bring along this Sol Flat Pack Collapsible Sink and use biodegradable soap that won’t pollute the nearby water sources. Some organic Castille soaps are suitable for this. Be sure to
- Leave no trace: As much as possible, leave the campsite the way you found it – or even better! This includes packing trash, not cutting down trees or plants, and respecting wildlife.
- Use a solar charger: If you need electronic devices, charge them with solar.
- Cook sustainable meals: Choose recipes that use minimal ingredients and minimal packaging. When you’re done, be sure to recycle containers and compost any food scraps, if possible.
- Bring along reusable dishes and utensils: Disposable plates and Styrofoam cups are just more trash to haul out. Bring dishes you can wash and reuse. Bamboo utensils are one great option that’s made from sustainable material.
Bringing along the right supplies also helps make your camping trip more sustainable. The Out-In-About Box™ is perfect for packing your camping gear.
The durable aluminum design with rubber handles is great for carrying your gear, whether hiking to a remote campsite or car camping in the woods. It also will help you be as nonintrusive as possible in the great outdoors.
It easily stores camping gear and can be reused time and time again. By carefully organizing and packing your supplies, you can save money and be more sustainable by reducing, reusing, and even recycling some of your gear.
When camping, don't forget to pack out all the trash, use eco-friendly soap, leave no trace, use a solar charger, cook sustainable meals, and bring along the right supplies! By following these tips, you can have a more sustainable camping trip to help preserve the environment for future generations.
