The main motivation for most RV campers to hit the road is the desire to enjoy nature. With that in mind, doesn’t it make sense that we want to do everything we can to protect the environment? Here are a dozen helpful tips to make your vacation as green as possible.
o Use beneficial bacteria, not chemicals, to treat waste tanks – One trend green campers should be happy to see is campgrounds banning chemically treated wastewater from landfills. Traditional chemical wastewater treatments like formaldehyde can actually pass into local water supplies or seep into the ground from campground septic systems, so campers can keep things green by using Bacterial additives instead of toxic chemicals to eliminate odors in waste tanks.
o Terrapass Carbon Offsets – Before you head out on your RV vacation, why not purchase carbon offsets through Terrapass? This volunteer program puts your mind at ease knowing you’re doing your part while enjoying a great vacation.
o Heat and cool “naturally”: RV campers actually use much less energy than their “motel camping” counterparts! If you commit to opening those windows to let in fresh air except for the hottest part of the day, and pack plenty of blankets for cool nights, you can keep your energy use to a minimum while camping in your RV.
o Use non-disposable: If you’ve ever worried about fast food containers lying around on vacation, traveling in an RV will be a real bonus! Buy inexpensive unbreakable plates in different colors and assign a color to each member of the family. It helps keep things in order at dinner time at camp and greatly reduces the amount of trash you’ll produce.
o Slow down and enjoy nature: One of the joys of RV camping is being able to enjoy aquatic nature. Racing down the highway (and spending gas) will make you miss nature at its best, so slow down, try to travel in two less traveled lanes, and save gas while enjoying the scenery.
o Do not go off-road! RVs are not off-road vehicles! They are made for driving on paved roads and camping trails. You can help preserve our natural wonders by keeping RVs off unpaved areas. Bring a bike or good walking shoes; that’s the best way to get out into nature!
o Clean up your campsite: Isn’t it disappointing to arrive at a campsite littered with trash from the last camper? Say goodbye leaving your camp in perfect condition when you leave. The next camper will thank you!
o Conserving water saves time for fun! Who likes to wash dishes on vacation? Although RV campers actually conserve much more water than most vacationers due to smaller water heaters and supplies, you can save even more water by washing dishes once a day. Keep dirty dishes in a sealed plastic tub to keep pests out of your trailer.
o Clean and bathe with green products: If you use green products at home, why not take them on vacation? Biodegradables are great travel companions. Just think, you’ll be helping the environment no matter where you go!
o Stay out of the water: Lakeside camping is great, but camping right next to a body of water increases the chance of contamination. Choose a campsite within walking distance of lakes, rivers, or streams to reduce accidental contamination.
o Go for the product, not the packaging: When shopping for your trip, consider the amount of packaging used in those products. Why buy something that requires four layers of packaging when most products have better options? Larger quantities, refillable bottles, simpler packaging: those are the products to pack. You will also save space!
o Recycle as much as possible – even with the best planning, you will still have some waste. Plan room in your RV for recycling containers and keep an eye out for recycling stations along your route.
As promised, we’ve given you some tips to get you started with eco-friendly RV camping. Sit down with your family before your trip and create your own green camping plan. Now that’s “carefree” camping!
