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Who doesn’t love a peaceful camping trip immersed in the beauty of nature? Camping in the great outdoors offers us up-close experiences and quality time with friends and family. The only downfall of camping is it can have a negative effect on the environment and wildlife in the area. Campers often leave trash and toxic products that harm plants and animals.

Check out these sustainable camping alternatives to help make the environment more beautiful than you found it.

1. Portable Power Source

Making a choice of renewable energy is one of the best, most effective ways to be eco-conscious. Portable solar panels can provide power for lights, chargers, grills, and anything else that needs electricity. Not only are they sustainable but convenient to use. Solar is a reliable and easy way to have electricity at even the most remote campsites. This pollution-free alternative to gas-powered generators and coal grills is a huge step toward living a sustainable lifestyle.

2. Water Filtration System

Skip the water bottles. Billions of plastic bottles are used each year worldwide and every single one matters. By using a water filtration bottle or jug, you can utilize water sources at the campground or in nature for drinking. You don’t have to lug around heavy water jugs or cases of water bottles that create unnecessary trash. Instead, you can use one bottle or jug and fill it up as you drink it.

3. Mess Kit

It is common for campers to use lots of disposable products while cooking and eating. Disposable plates, cups, cutlery, and more are all used once and thrown in the trash. By bringing a reusable mess kit with cookware, plates, cups, and cutlery, you can reduce the majority of the trash you make while camping. Plus, you only have to buy a mess kit once instead of buying disposable products for every use. After a few uses, a mess kit will pay for itself.

4. Biodegradable Soaps and Detergents

Consider choosing biodegradable soaps and detergents to use while camping. If you are bathing and washing items outdoors, soap and detergents will run off into the environment. This is also important for small or primitive campsites that do not have proper drainage systems. Non-biodegradable soap and other hygiene items like toothpaste, take a very long time to break down and can build up. An accumulation of these products will cause the environment and the wildlife serious issues from contamination and toxicity. Biodegradable items break down easily and do not contain harmful chemicals. Also, keep in mind that liquid waste should not be emptied into a body of water, but onto vegetation, dry ground, or preferably designated liquid waste disposal.

5. Fabric Napkins

Paper towels and napkins cause a massive amount of litter. They are widely used and, due to their lightweight, easily blow away and become litter. Paper products, especially those with food mess on them, will be a target for wildlife.  Animals often try to eat it and become sick or choke. The easy switch to fabric napkins will reduce your waste and help you save money. Plus, fabric napkins and towels are more durable than paper products. Simply rinse it out after light use and hang it up to dry overnight. For heavy use, wash it with your normal laundry. You’ll never run out and you will make another shift toward sustainability.

Bottom Line

These products make the choice easy because they are not only environmentally friendly but also work effectively and are often better than the non-sustainable alternative. Every little step made toward sustainability is important. Being eco-conscious is based on the choices you make and how they positively or negatively affect the environment. Enjoy your next camping trip and embrace the beauty of nature just as it is.