How to Go Green on a Campervan Trip?
Campervan enthusiasts often have a deep appreciation of the great outdoors. This means it can be difficult to face the fact that every drive means more fuel being burned and the slightest bit more damage being done to the world.
Don’t give up on your campervan drives, though, as there are plenty of ways to offset your carbon footprint during your vacation. Use these top tips to stay environmentally positive on your next campervan road trip!
Eco-Friendly Campervan Tips
Help protect nature by using eco-friendly materials and practices during your road trip!
Stick to zero-plastic alternatives during your stay in a campervan. This means metal water bottles, glass storage jars, and no Tupperware. Instead, you can wrap leftovers in beeswax-coated recycled cloth or a reusable silicon storage bag. Remember to bring your long-life shopping bags on your trip to avoid single-use plastic bags.
There’s even environmentally-friendly ways to do your dishes. Stop spreading microplastics with your regular washing sponge and switch to one made from coconut fibers or recycled cotton. Prevent damage around your campsite by using non-harmful soaps. These are often plant based and don’t contain any toxic chemicals that can leak into local water sources. Also switch to natural chemical-free hair and body wash.
Use solar-powered devices whenever you can. The easiest way to do this is to invest in a solar-powered portable battery. With this, every electronic item becomes more eco-friendly to run. And finally, try to pack light for your trip. The less your campervan weighs, the more fuel you will conserve.
8 Ways to Help the Environment During Your Trip
Make an impact on the environment using these top eco-friendly adventure tips!
- Buy organic produce from local farms and markets near your campsite. If you have the opportunity, visit a U-Pick farm to pick fresh fruits and vegetables directly from the plants.
- Make an effort to pick up all the litter you spot along a hiking trail. This can have a big effect on protecting the local animals, especially on trails in national parks and wildlife reserves.
- Drive your campervan slowly and steadily to reduce the amount of fuel being used. There’s no need to rush when the journey is just as beautiful as the destination.
- Recycle all your waste and compost anything biodegradable. If you have no use for it, then put your compost in a special bin to await a curbside compost collection. Using it for potted plants is recommended as compost acts as a nourishing, chemical-free fertilizer.
- Leave no trace of yourself behind in the environment. Pick up all your trash, properly deconstruct campfires, and clear away any dropped food scraps.
- Make a note of birds or animals you spot on your outdoor adventure using phone apps like iNaturalist or the Audubon Bird Guide. This lets you keep track of which animals you’ve seen and helps researchers identify habitats and uncover migration patterns of diverse species.
- Collect trash when you visit the beach to protect the coastal wildlife. This can be done individually or as part of a group of volunteers on special cleanup days. Check out these scheduled Orange County beach cleanups or research events around where you will be vacationing.
- Conserve fuel and lower your carbon footprint by keeping your campervan parked at a campsite during your trip. Choose a destination within walking distance of local shops, restaurants, and your favorite day activities.
Sustainable Tours and Activities
Plan your vacation around these different types of environmentally-friendly tours and attractions:
Sustainable Wine Tours
You’ll definitely need to be parked for the day if you want to take part in this activity! During a sustainable wine tour, guests are given an intimate behind-the-scenes look into an eco-friendly vineyard.
To make a positive impact on the environment, these vineyards produce wine using organic methods. Sustainable wineries also try to limit their ecological footprint by ensuring the soil under the vines is kept healthy and the local biodiversity is safe. Each tour ends, of course, with a tasting session. If you like the wine, consider purchasing from eco-friendly vineyards in the future.
E-Bike Adventures
You can now park your campervan and explore the great outdoors with ease using an e-bike. These innovative bikes are activated by pedaling but they’re powered by batteries. This means that a lot more trails suddenly become accessible for those who can’t take the physical strain of regular bikes.
Lower your carbon footprint by cycling along scenic roads instead of driving them. Many of the popular US national parks and beautiful coastal roads now have companies that offer group or private e-bike tours. Experience the best views in America with a practical, eco-friendly e-bike.
Wildlife Sanctuaries
Wildlife Sanctuaries take in animals who can’t survive in the wild. This means they are injured, are threatened by other animals or humans, or are a threat to humans. Indeed, there are some incredible animal sanctuaries dedicated to bears, big cats, or wolves. There are also many more that aim to protect marine animals along the Pacific coast.
Visit a wildlife sanctuary to learn about the real manmade dangers that are threatening both local and global biodiversity. Learn about the actions you can take to protect nearby wildlife. Seeing the adorable animals who live in the sanctuary is a lovely bonus!
Set Off Soon on Your Eco-Friendly Adventure!
Now you know the best sustainable practices and activities, you can drive easily on your environmentally-positive road trip. If you have extra ideas, you can share your own eco-friendly tips with us on Instagram or Twitter!
Book a campervan or put your own campervan up for rent, with TB Outdoor Rentals. Stop by next Wednesday for a list of the best places for a campervan vacation during Pride Month!
