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The main motivation for most RV campers to hit the road is the desire to enjoy nature. With this in mind, doesn’t it make sense that we would want to do everything we can to protect the environment? Here are a dozen helpful tips to make your vacation as eco-friendly as possible.
o Use beneficial bacteria, not chemicals, to treat waste tanks: One trend that green campers should be glad to see is that campsites are banning chemically treated wastewater at waste dumps. Traditional wastewater chemical treatments such as formaldehyde can actually be passed along to the local water supply or leach into the soil from campground septic systems, so bacterial additives are used instead of toxic chemicals to cut odors in camper waste tanks. By doing this you can keep things green.
o TerraPass Carbon Offsets: Before you leave on your RV vacation, why not buy carbon offsets through TerraPass? This volunteer program puts your mind at ease that you are doing your part while enjoying a great vacation.
o Heat & Cool “Naturally”: RV campers actually use much less energy than their “motel-camping” counterparts! If you commit to leaving those windows open during the hottest part of the day to bring in fresh air, and pack plenty of blankets for cold nights, you can keep your energy consumption to a minimum while RV camping. Can
o Use non-disposables: If you’ve ever been bothered by thrown away fast food packaging on vacation, traveling by RV will be a real bonus! Buy inexpensive unbreakable dishes in different colors, and assign one color to each family member. Helps keep things straight at campground dinnertimes, and drastically cuts down on the amount of waste you produce.
o Slow Down and Enjoy Nature: One of the joys of RV camping is being able to enjoy the beauty of nature. Running on the road (and wasting gas) will remind you of nature at its best, so slow things down, try the two-lane road less traveled, and save gas while enjoying the scenery.
o Don’t go off-road! RVs are not off-road vehicles! They are made to drive on paved highways and campground roads. You can help preserve our natural wonders by keeping recreational vehicles off rough areas. Take a bike or some good hiking shoes along; It’s the best way to get out in nature!
o Clean up your campsite: Isn’t it frustrating to arrive at a campsite littered with the last camper’s trash? Do you leave your campsite in pristine condition when you leave? The next camper will be grateful!
o Water conservation saves time for fun! Who likes washing dishes on vacation? Although RV campers actually conserve water more than most vacationers due to smaller supplies and water heaters, you can save even more water by washing dishes once a day. To keep pests out of your trailer, store dirty dishes in a sealed plastic tub.
Clean and bathe with green products: If you’re using green products at home, why not take them on vacation? Biodegradables make great travel companions. Just imagine, you’ll be helping the environment no matter where you go!
Stay out of the water: Lakeside campsites are great, but camping right next to a body of water increases your chances of polluting it. Choose a campsite a short distance from lakes, rivers or streams to reduce accidental pollution.
0 Go for the product, not the packaging: When you shop for your travels, keep in mind the amount of packaging used on those products. Why buy something that requires four layers of packaging when most products have better alternatives? Large volumes, refillable bottles, simple packaging—they’re the product to pack. You’ll save space too!
Recycle as much as possible: Even with the best planning, you’re going to have some waste. Plan space in your RV for recycling containers, and look for recycling stations along your route.
As promised, we’ve got some tips to get you started on green RV camping. Sit down with your family before your trip and create your own green camping plan. Now that’s real “worry-free” camping!
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