Real Estate

Green RV Camping Ideas

The main motivation for most RV campers to hit the road is the desire to enjoy nature. With that in mind, doesn’t it make sense that we want to do everything we can to protect the environment? Here are a dozen helpful tips to make your vacation as green as possible.

o Use beneficial bacteria, not chemicals, to treat waste tanks: One trend green campers should be happy to see is campgrounds banning chemically treated wastewater from landfills. Traditional chemical wastewater treatments like formaldehyde can actually leak into local water supplies or leach into the ground from campground septic systems, so campers can keep things green by using bacterial additives instead of toxic chemicals to eliminate odors in waste tanks.

o Terrapass Carbon Offsets – Before you head out on your RV vacation, why not purchase carbon offsets through Terrapass? This volunteer program puts you at ease knowing you’re doing your part while enjoying a great vacation.

o Heat and cool “naturally” – RV campers actually use much less energy than their “motel camping” counterparts! By committing to opening those windows for fresh air except for the hottest part of the day, and packing plenty of blankets for cool nights, you can keep your energy use to a minimum while camping in your RV.

o Use non-disposables: If you’ve ever worried about thrown away fast food containers on vacation, traveling in an RV will be a real bonus! Buy inexpensive unbreakable plates in different colors and assign each member of the family a color. It helps keep things in order at dinner time at camp and greatly reduces the amount of trash you will produce.

o Slow down and enjoy nature: One of the joys of RV camping is being able to enjoy aquatic nature. Racing down the highway (and wasting gas) will make you miss nature at its best, so slow down, try to travel in two less-traveled lanes, and save gas while enjoying the scenery.

o Don’t go off-roading! RVs are not off-road vehicles! They are made for driving on paved roads and camping trails. You can help preserve our natural wonders by keeping RVs off unpaved areas. Take a bike or good walking shoes; that’s the best way to get out into nature!

o Clean up your campsite: Isn’t it disappointing to come to a campsite littered with the last camper’s trash? Say goodbye leaving your camp in perfect condition when you leave. The next camper will thank you!

o Conserving water saves time for fun! Who likes to wash the dishes on vacation? Although RV campers actually conserve much more water than most vacationers due to smaller water heaters and supplies, you can save even more water by washing dishes once a day. Keep dirty dishes in a sealed plastic tub to keep pests out of your trailer.

o Clean and shower with green products: if you use green products at home, why not take them with you on vacation? Biodegradables are great travel companions. Just think, you’ll be helping the environment no matter where you go!

o Stay out of the water: Camping by the lake is great, but camping right next to a body of water increases the chance that you will pollute it. Choose a campsite a short distance from lakes, rivers, or streams to reduce accidental contamination.

o Opt for the product, not the packaging: When shopping for your trip, be aware of the amount of packaging used on those products. Why buy something that requires four layers of packaging when most products have better options? Larger quantities, refillable bottles, simpler packaging: these are the products to pack. You will also save space!

o Recycle as much as possible: Even with the best planning, you will still have some waste. Plan space in your RV for recycling bins, and keep an eye out for recycling stations along your route.

As promised, we’ve given you some tips to get you started with green RV camping. Sit down with your family before your trip and create your own eco camping plan. Now that’s “worry-free” camping!

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