When you think of a caravan or even a camping holiday, most likely, you’re assuming that it’s fairly eco-friendly, right? Technically traveling by car leads to less emissions than traveling by plane, and staying in a caravan should be more environmentally friendly than a hotel, right? Well, less, technically, you are being more eco-friendly by using these options compared to using a plane and a hotel. However, with that said, is caravan travel truly eco-friendly?
Well, unless you’re using hybrid campers, there’s a chance your camper van isn’t as eco-friendly as you might think. But with that said, there are still ways to help lower emissions and your carbon footprint overall. So, here’s what you need to know about becoming more eco-friendly before your next camper holiday!
Consider Buying Organic Food
When shopping for food, it’s a good idea to buy organic. This is because the way organic food is grown is much more eco-friendly than traditional farming, which uses pesticides and chemical fertilizers. However, it’s best to just have this incorporated into your diet altogether, whether you’re on a trip or not.
Bring Reusable Dishes
While paper plates might sound great and super convenient, unless they’re biodegradable (and put into the compost bin), they’re not really going to help the environment that much. A lot of campgrounds tend not to have a compost area (surprisingly) unless the campground has a strong focus on the environment. So it’s best to just go ahead and bring reusable dishes; even the ones from your home or a thrift store will do just nicely.
Don’t Bring Extra Vehicles
Okay, so when it comes to planning the perfect family vacation, you might want to bring an additional vehicle so you can drive to town or in more rural areas. While it all depends on the caravan itself (whether you can drive it or if it’s attached to a trailer), it might be best not to even bother bringing any additional vehicles. If your caravan has a driver part, then leave it like that and try not to bring another car; there’s really no need for it.
Choose Your Destination Wisely
It’s not just the destination itself, but the campground too, such as how eco-conscious they are. Technically, you’re being more environmentally friendly the less you travel. But you obviously shouldn’t strip yourself and your family away from a memorable trip in the name of being environmentally conscious. Just try to be wise with where you all stay, and try to choose locations, even countries that have a strong approach to sustainability.
Avoid Wasting Food
Food waste is one of the biggest problems facing our planet. It squanders the resources that go into producing it, and when it decomposes in landfills, it creates greenhouse gasses. Obviously, food waste is bad for both your wallet and the planet. So if you can, try to be strict on food waste. Sure, while composting food is a great combat to food waste, you still need to remember that campgrounds tend not to do composting. So try to be strict on yourself and everyone you’re traveling with to not waste food.