Zero Waste Camping (Going Back To Basics)

What do you envision when you think: zero waste camping?

Pristine landscapes, flowing rivers, and clear blue skies – most of us love to connect with nature.

Camping is one of the most popular summer activities across the globe and we have some good news for you.

Zero waste camping does not mean you are no longer able to go out camping and actually enjoy it!

In fact, camping is one of the easiest activities to enjoy while practising the "leave no trace" methodology.

All it takes is a little bit of forethought and planning.

What Exactly Does Zero Waste Mean?

• This environmentalist and conservationist term involves responsible recovery, consumption, reuse, and production of any product.

This does not just include the product; it also includes the materials that go into making the product and the packaging it comes in.

Your most important takeaway on the zero waste term is that you in no way endanger the environment, or adversely affect animal and/or human health.

The basic guidelines for Zero Waste contain the “Five R’s”:

• Reduce
• Reuse
• Recycle
• Rot
• Repurpose

You need to be thinking of these guidelines when you are planning your camping trip.

Of course, you also want to incorporate these guidelines into your daily life as well.

One of the biggest ways that you can make a positive impact is by purchasing reusable canvas bags.

They are sold in almost every store in the world and the reduction in plastic bags not going to the landfill is staggering.

Plus, the canvas bags are stronger than the plastic ones, so you don’t need to use as many!

What you want are products that are made out of either recyclable material or biodegradable material.

Each person who purchases these types of products increases the demand for plastic alternatives.

When talking about camping, whether it is at a local campground or finding a hidden jewel off the beaten track, there are many ways that you can reduce your personal impact on the area you are camping in.

This is how!

Choosing The Proper Zero Waste Gear

When it comes to choosing a tent, sleeping bags, and backpacks, you want to go with a brand that is reliable and will stand the test of time.

With many companies now starting to think about their environmental footprint, you should also be able to find one that is constructed using all or at least partially recycled materials.

Columbia and Vaude are two such companies and both are very well known and well respected. While this may cost you more at first, you will save money in the long run because you will have items that are capable of lasting more than just one season.

But nothing lasts forever. Once your gear starts to show signs of wear and tear, simply opt to repair whatever you can.

Or, if you must purchase something new, donate your old equipment to an organization like the Boy Scouts or the Girl Guides.

They will be thrilled to get your equipment and at the same time you will save all of your items from being thrown in the landfill before their time.

Consumable items 

This category includes your food and beverages.

The greatest amount of waste produced while camping comes from food. Instead of using plastics utensils, reach for your cutlery drawer instead.

You can bring your own metal knives, forks, and spoons along with you and take them back home when you leave.

For water, think about bringing along some refillable water jugs and reusable water bottles.

You can buy these almost anywhere and it really cuts down on the amount of plastic that gets taken to the landfill.

If you are collecting water from a lake or stream while you are camping, you will want to bring something along to purify your water. Especially, if there are no posted signs saying that the water is potable.

This is because the water that looks so clean and pure will be full of parasites or bacteria that you definitely do not want inside your body. There are several different ways that you can go about purfiying your water.

In a pinch you can boil your water to kill off the microorganisms, you can filter it through a cloth, or you could add some iodine tablets to the water.

However, the easiest way to make sure your water is safe to drink is by bringing along purification tablets or by using a purification straw like the LifeStraw.

When it comes to food, prepare as much of it ahead of time as possible. And only bring what you can reasonably eat.

For that you must prepare while you are out in the wild, bring along a reusable container for peels, seeds, etc. so that you can throw it in the compost when you get back to civilization.

It is never a good idea to bury compost while you are camping because it could attract wild animals who pose a risk to your safety.

Try to prepare meals that only use five or less ingredients.

This will cut down drastically on the amount of food you will need to bring along with you.

Instead of bringing along large bags or boxes of dry ingredients, portion the amounts you will need into reusable containers or jars from your kitchen. For seasonings and spices, consider bringing a small amount in empty pill bottles.

If you'll be bringing meat with you to eat, take it out of the package at home and put the needed amount in airtight containers that you can wash later.

Since you'll also be storing your meat in a cooler, the airtight containers help to contain the smells that may attract unwanted visitors!

Clean and prep any of your fruits and veggies at home if it is possible.

• For example, if you will be bringing celery with you, cut off all the waste portions at home and store the cut sections in water.

It will leave you with far less stuff to lug around, and there will be very little, if any, food waste to bring home and compost.

How to Cool Things Down While Zero Waste Camping

What will you do about ice while you are on your zero waste camping trip?

It is essential that you have some way to ensure that your food doesn't spoil before you get to eat it.

You could go to the store and purchase ice in plastic bags, but that would completely defeat the purpose of zero waste.

Instead, what you can do is freeze some refillable water bottles. The bonus to doing this is that you are also able to drink the water once it defrosts!

You can also freeze your meat or any vegetables that you are going to cook. As long as you are not constantly opening your cooler, food can easily stay frozen for several days.

In fact, most coolers now come with a label that guarantees how long they will keep things frozen.

How to Generate Your Own Electricity While Zero Waste Camping?

Some campsites have the own electrical power points. Ok, fair enough if you end up at one of these sites, by all means connect up and use their power. 

But what about those of us who seek a bit more adventure, off the beaten path?

Well, most people for a very long time have been using gas generators to generate their own electricity. 

Here's why gas generators are bad:

• They are incredibly loud.
• Are extremley heavy. 
• Produce toxic pollutants 
• Non-renewable source of energy (gas required)

The list could probably go, and if you would like to read this long list, you can do so here. 

What we recommend getting for your camping trips, is a solar generator.

How do they work?

Solar generators work, by integrating a solar panel, charge controller, a battery and an inverter into a compact system that is able to convert and store solar energy which can then be later transformed into a useable electrical current.

SOLAR PANELS:

• Solar generators can be bought with or without solar panels. If you don't have solar panels, you will need to recharge your device via another power source. Although, the most efficient way to operate a solar generator is via solar panels. Your solar panels will convert the sun's energy in electricity

INVERTER:

• Our solar generators all come with the latest built in pure sine wave technology. Inverters are used to convert your solar generators stored electricity from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). The reason for this conversion is simple, most of the appliances we all own operate using alternating current. 

CHARGE CONTROLLER: 

• Bluetti solar generators all come with the latest built in MPPT solar charge controller technology. The primary purpose of charge controllers are to prevent your solar panels from over charging (thus damaging) your built in battery.

BATTERY:

• Perhaps the most important aspect of a solar generator is the battery. Bluetti's latest models come with the best battery technology: LiFePO4. All that electricity being generated from your solar panels needs to be stored somewhere. That is where your battery comes in, it is able to store large amounts of solar energy at any one given time. Most solar generators are rated by their capacity and are an indicator of how many/how long they will be able to charge or power devices. 

How to Keep Things Clean While Zero Waste Camping?

Napkins and paper towels create a huge amount of waste that is left at campsites every year.

Instead of bringing these paper products with you, bring reusable cloths instead.

You can use them for washing dishes, wiping your hands and face, and anything else you can think of.

You can wash the clothes in a tub of water with biodegradable soap and hang them to dry overnight so they are ready again for the next day.

If you are at a campground that has shower facilities, keep your shower to under two minutes and turn the water off until it is time to rinse.

The same goes with using the sink to brush your teeth. You can also use some of your purified water to brush your teeth and wash your face instead of running water in the sink.

If there are no shower facilities available where you are, make sure that you have brought along some dry shampoo.

This does wonders to freshen up your hair.

You can bathe in lakes or streams unless it is prohibited but never put any type of soap in the water.

How to Keep Warm While Zero Waste Camping

If you are going to be cooking hot food, you will either need a small grill or a campfire.

Grills are extremely convenient because they are ready to go at a moment’s notice. If you need to use a campfire, there are several things you need to know.

• The most important thing about starting a campfire is to make sure that it is in a safe location away from anything flammable.

• Rim your pit with stones so that a grassfire will not be started accidentally.

• When it comes to the wood you are going to burn, always use wood that is native to the area you are in. If you bring wood in from another location, you run the risk of introducing non-native insects or plant life that could disrupt the native flora.

• Gather your firewood from the area you are in, or if you are at a campsite, they often have bundles of wood for sale.

Final Thoughts

Zero waste camping is not as hard as it sounds. All of the above instructions can be followed easily by anyone who is willing to give it a try.

Just remember to leave everything as it was when you first found it, and to leave nothing behind.

If no trace of you remains, you have successfully completed your first Zero waste camping trip.

Congratulations!!

FAQ

1. What is sustainable camping?
Sustainable camping includes green electricity, less plastic waste, energy-efficient electrical appliances and food from regional producers. There are a lot of things you can do to make your stay at a campsite eco-friendly.

2. What is eco camping?
In essence, eco-camping is camping with no impact on the environment. Forget on-site swimming pools, and in-house discos! An eco-friendly site aims to offer peace and quiet, and a back-to-nature atmosphere.

3. What do you do with food waste when camping?
Place any food-related trash in the bag to make sure your gear doesn't become messy or attract animals. Be sure to hang your food at night or use a bear canister so unwanted guests don't start digging through it. When you're done with your bag, toss it in a designated trash can or dumpster.

4. Is it possible to live a zero waste life?
While it's impossible to create zero waste, there are many ways to reduce consumption that can benefit the planet. People in the movement prioritize recycling and reusing products and goods rather than purchasing single-use items that clog up landfills and contribute to climate change and global warming.