Eco-Friendly Camping Tips

Camping is a great way to get in touch with nature, breathe in the fresh air and make memories to last a lifetime. Looking after your surroundings whilst camping is just one of the ways we can all be a little more environmentally conscious, so we asked our friends at the Camping and Caravanning Club to share their expert tips on how to make your next camping trip more eco-friendly.

Take kitchenware and cutlery you already have at home rather than using single-use items which will end up in the bin. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also save space by only packing one of every item for each person.

Our campsites always have fresh drinking water available, so you won’t need to buy bottled water at all during your holiday with us. Keep your bottle topped up, take it on days out, and save money on buying drinks on the go. 

We’re not saying that you should stop touring the UK, because we know there’s so much to see and do! However, if you have a campsite you stay on regularly, and it’s a long way from home, you could cut your carbon footprint by looking at campsites nearby. We have sites all over the UK, from sunny clifftop campsites in Cornwall, to spectacular mountainous locations in The Highlands. View our campsites by region or search to see the variety of local campsites that are available.

Farm shops, market stalls and local producers are a great way to cut down on wasted packaging and support local businesses all over the UK. Fresh vegetables, honey, eggs, bread and dairy, are just a few of the delicious items you’re likely to find. Check whether your campsite shop stocks locally sourced items (many of ours do) or ask our friendly site staff where best to shop nearby. 

The most sustainable kit is the kit you already own. Prolonging a piece of kit’s lifespan helps to preserve the planet’s resources, reduces chemical pollution and saves unnecessary carbon emissions. Looking after your kit means it is kept out of landfill and carries on doing what it was designed to do for longer. With Cotswold Outdoor Repair & Care service you can show your old kit a bit of love by having it professionally mended and washed and restored to its old self, meaning it will stay with you for many adventures to come. 

Solar-powered camping gear is readily available from outdoor retailers. Lights, speakers, chargers, generators and even ovens are available with solar capabilities. It’s also becoming more common to see caravans and motorhomes utilising solar panels to save on usage costs. For more information on how you can use the sun to boost your eco-friendly camping credentials view our solar power datasheet.

Consider whether or not TV’s, computers, tablets and Kindles need a place in your camping set up. Why not instead explore your surroundings on a walk, pack a deck of cards and pick up some books from a charity shop for entertainment. By all means take your mobile to check the weather, navigate and keep in touch with friends and family but why not try leaving any unessential electronics at home.

With walking being one of our favourite ways to explore our surroundings, it’s important to note that hard-soled shoes can damage delicate woodland, fauna and wildlife. Many outdoor areas you visit will have marked trails for this reason. If you’re exploring in an area without marked walkways, be respectful of the environment and keep to well walked trails.

Rules on where to dispose of rubbish, how to recycle, and whether you can have a campfire or not are all there to protect campsites and surrounding areas. Following the rules set out by your campsite is a great way to be eco-friendly and respectful of other campers too.

Leave no trace is the ultimate eco-friendly camping rule. There are seven principles of no trace camping, all revolving around leaving the environment in the same way you found it when camping. The principles are as follows: prepare well, pick durable ground to camp on, properly dispose of waste, leave behind anything you find, minimise the damage from fires, respect wildlife and other campers.

Before you leave for your camping trip, switch off and turn down everything you can. Don’t leave TVs on standby, turn off the heating and main appliances. Not only will you save money, but you’re also doing the planet a favour too.

Are you squeezing all of the toothpaste out of the tube before buying a new one? Have you switched to paper-wrapped soap instead of shower gel? These are simple steps you can take to use your products more efficiently and cut down on plastic waste.

Avoid food waste by planning what you’re going to cook for each meal. That way you can take as much as you need and freeze or store anything leftover at home.

Did you know that there’s a growing market for eco-friendly dog supplies? You can find beds, leads, treats and toys which have all been manufactured or produced with an eco-friendly ethos.

If you’re staying on one of our campsites and you're planning a day off-site, why not walk or cycle to your destination if it’s under 30-minutes away? This is a good way to cut down on the number of vehicles on the road and a great way of finding your way around the local area. View these circular walks from our campsites.