8 Eco-Friendly Camping Ideas

Hi all,

Once again, it is that time of the year where we get to pack up our vehicles and find a new home for the next few nights. It is camping season. 

Camping is good for the body, mind & soul. This is due to many things including the nature, new social adventures and self reflection. Hopefully your spot has no wifi, no cell service and lots of room for activities. I can't wait to go soon. 

Growing up in the Kootenay's I learned to enjoy and respect the outdoors as much as I possibly can. Recently, I have discovered and become upset at how some of us use camping as an excuse to buy mass single use products. To add, the amount of food being gone to waste during and after a camping trip is usually not minimal. It is very easy to overpack for events in the woods. I also would have a hard time with how much plastic people place into the fire-pits. Anyways... I have decided to create this post to help us become more aware and eco-friendly in nature (yes, I am a tree hugger vegetarian).

The following is a list of ideas we can use to be more environmentally friendly in the woods while still enjoying everything the same. Make sure to check this list before your next trip away. Enjoy!

1. Plan your shopping. This begins with creating a shopping list (possible meal plan), bringing reusable bags on your grocery shop and not buying unnecessary amounts of items such as bottled water, paper plates, fruits and vegetables. Little changes like this can make a large difference.
2. Prepare your meals ahead of time. You can pack your salads, trail mixes, snacks and drinks. I prefer to use glass mason jars but any type of reusable container works. Some ideas: Make your omelettes ahead of time (whisk eggs, add veggies, then you can fry easily over fire), pre-cut your fruit and veggies, pre-spice your meats and proteins, make energy balls or granola bars. The whole idea is to bring less one time plastic into the woods = less garbage to dispose of.
3. Use frozen food for ice. I like to use frozen fruit and veggies, water or soup to keep my food cool without having to buy plastic bags of ice. (You can drink the frozen water after if it is kept clean. You can also bring frozen fruits and vegetables or proteins.
4. Bring only reusable or biodegradable kitchen items. Here is a list: Cups or mason jars (NO RED SOLOS), ceramic or tin mugs, reusable water bottles, reusable utensils, pots and pans, reusable or compostable bowls, left over containers, and reusable or compostable plates. They don't need to be glass, plastic would be safest. You can find most of these at the Dollar Store if you are on a budget.
5. Bring proper disposal bags. This would include garbage bags, recycling bags and compost bags. It can be difficult to compost when camping because of bears and wildlife, but if you get the opportunity, why not try it right? The least we can do when camping is recycling our cans and bottles, plastic, tin and paper which leads to my next point...
6. Do not burn recyclables. No cans, no plastic, no tins. Paper is okay. Please try to recycle. I see a lot of people mindlessly throwing anything into a fire pit. All I can think of when we I see this is us inhaling carcinogens from the products burning.
7. Use biodegradable body products. If you plan on showering in the lake (one of my favourite things to do in the summer), try to use a product that has no chemicals and can biodegrade in the water. LiveClean is a wonderful brand you can find at Walmart with a variety of products that are safe for the fishies! It is also a good idea to bring biodegradable dish soap, sunscreen and bug spray. 
8. Leave no trace. This is a simple and respected rule in the great world of the outdoors. Pack out what you pack in no matter what.

That is all for today everybody. Thanks for reading and please feel free to share. I would like to thank my Outdoor Education Class of May 2019 for helping me come up with these ideas in class.