Living Green & Off The Grid: Eco-Friendly Camping and RVing Tips Before You Hit The Road

(Photo : Living Green & Off The Grid: Eco-Friendly Camping and RVing Tips Before You Hit The Road)

You've finally planned your nature-themed camping trip for your next break. Destinations are set and your camping spirit is ready. All that's left is to do the shopping and preparation of camping gear, equipment, and other items. And of course, your vehicle for the trip. Nature-friendly camping, here we go!

You might be planning to take your RV with you, but if you're planning a nature-friendly camping excursion, then you know the terms environment-friendly and RV blend as well as Batman and Joker together.

But it's possible! Riding down on your RV and enjoying a nature-friendly camping trip, we mean. If you're curious to know how, check out these 9 tips to eco-friendly camping and RVing tips!

1. Install a solar panel on your RV 

Going on a camping trip means you're in for a long outdoor excursion with nature - on forests, nature parks, beaches, mountains, and more outdoor scenes where electricity is not always guaranteed. For that, you'll need a steady supply of mobile electricity with you.

Since you'll be on the road while the sun's up and shining in the sky, better take advantage of it by harnessing its power and converting it into electricity. This allows you to set camp in any place as you want, as long as you've got your RV by your side.

RV solar panels are made for mobility and easy transport, so they're easy to hook to your RV and have it supply your electricity needs throughout the trip.

2. Keep your RV maintained

RV maintenance services might be some extra expenses you prefer to skip, but they're important if you want to keep your trusty vehicle in an eco-friendly shape. 

For instance, when the important parts of your RV, such as the engine, air filter, and fuel injection, are left in poor condition, they can trigger issues that cause smoke-belching. The black smoke from this vehicular issue is one of the main sources of air pollutants today.

So if you want to enjoy more nature-themed camping trips, don't skip a maintenance service to keep your RV healthy and energy-efficient. It can also save you from unnecessary interruptions on your scenic drive with some sudden repair needs.

3. Use LED light bulbs

One of the best ways to keep your RV environment-friendly is to use LED light bulbs for your lighting. They're the most energy-efficient options since they use less power to function. They also emit less heat, keeping your RV cooler and decreasing your need to use more energy to cool off inside. 

4. Use enzyme-based cleaners to clean your toilets

Your RV's toilet is like taking care of a baby. Leave it unattended for a while and you'll be back with a huge mess to clean. That's why it's important to maintain its cleanliness and to choose the right cleaner for it.

Chemical-based cleaners sound as devious as their name, with their chemical and pollutant materials itching to put your health and the environment at risk. Enzyme-based cleaners, on the other hand, are free of these harmful pollutants. Their materials are also capable of cleaning and removing toilet stains and dirt as eco-friendly as possible. 

5. Go green with your fuel

Did you know that more people are turning to vegetable oil for fuel? It's renewable, less harmful for the environment, and as efficient as diesel fuel. The cost of converting to vegetable oil may need a little more budget, but it could be cost-efficient in the long run. 

Another alternative is to use a mix of diesel and biodiesel fuel, which is diesel mixed with natural oils. But be sure to check first if this blend is compatible with your RV. 

6. Prepare your own snacks and meals

This may sound like a lot of work, but there are plenty of benefits from doing your own snacks and meals for the trips. One, you avoid using plastics, styrofoam, and other non-biodegradable materials from buying snacks at the grocery store or on-the-go meals. 

If you've got a meal plan, you can also properly stock up on your food inventory for the whole trip. No surplus food to waste!

Just remember to use eco-friendly food storages and reusable cutlery (like that trendy cutlery made of bamboo) to keep everything in nature's favor. 

7. Rent or borrow camping equipment instead of buying new ones

For your next camping trip, skip the equipment and gear shopping and go over your stash of old camping items. When you keep ditching your old items for every new camping trip, you're adding more to the unnecessary waste in the landfill. 

Since some materials used for these items, such as plastic and glass, are non-biodegradable, they can take up years before they break down completely. They can also wash up on the ocean and cause problems in the ecosystem underwater. 

If you've got equipment or gears that can still be repaired, fix them. If youé got none left for saving, rent or borrow to other campers or rental shops instead. But if you're not comfortable with renting used gears, like sleeping bags, try to buy those with eco-friendly or recycled materials.

8. Bring non-toxic bug repellents and sunscreens

Water-repellent sunscreens and bug repellent lotions may sound more beneficial, but they're actually more toxic for the environment. When washed in water, the chemicals from these can intoxicate the water and air and the animals around you. 

You can buy non-toxic sunscreens and mosquito repellents, or bring natural repellents like citronella. You can also try making your own sunscreen.

9. Do your waste business properly

When you're out in the open, it can be tempting to answer nature's call everywhere with solid soil ground ready for digging. If you're camping at a popular spot, it's possible that there are portable or composting toilets around. 

But if you're camping somewhere in the deep wild, hold your grounds first. Remember to find a  good distance away from your (and other) campground first. Don't forget to bring some toilet paper and a paper bag with you too.

Once you've secured a spot, dig a hole that's 6 inches deep. When you're done, cover it with soil and throw the used toilet paper in the bag. Ditch the paper bag once you've found a good trash bin.