If you love exploring out-of-doors, you probably also love, and want to protect, our natural world – doing both can be hard work, but now that transport is responsible for 22 percent of the globe’s emissions, it’s high time we all took steps to make our adventures a little eco-friendlier. Luckily, camping is one of the easiest ways to sleep out under the stars conscientiously. From picking eco sites to charging your devices and picking second-hand kit, here’s how to make your next pitch a planet-friendly one – including a great Black Friday deal so you can invest in a Bluetti power bank to supercharge your camping adventures.
How to make your next camping trip more eco-friendly
1, Pick an eco campsite
Most campsites have a pretty good carbon footprint due to their sheer simplicity, but some are really working hard to make their impact on nature as light as possible. Choosing a campsite that’s proudly eco is a great way to vote with your money and show that you care about the environment. Tent-only campsites are usually a good choice – try The Greener Camping Club or this list of campsites with eco facilities.
2, Stay local
If you are bringing a car or your campervan, why not look for campsites closer by rather than heading on a petrol-guzzling road trip? You might be surprised by the peaceful spots where you can set up a tent on your doorstep. I live in the Cotswolds and rarely take my vintage camper further than 45 minutes away to camp, but have still been on some gorgeous adventures in Somerset and Gloucestershire.
3, Stay Charged with a Portable Power Bank
Since you’ll likely be off-grid and miles from the nearest plug socket, a portable power bank will keep your phone, GPS and other essentials charged without the need for disposable batteries. Look for power banks with multiple USB ports – Bluetti’s AC200L power station is a great green option for camping, glamping, van living and outdoor use and you can add on the Bluetti B300K expansion battery for longer adventures.
Want to grab a great power station for less? The BLUETTI Black Friday sale runs from 11 November to 2 December and you can save up to 45% off. You can get an additional discount of 5% on BLUETTI’s official website and Amazon by using the coupon code “BLUETTIOFF”.
4, Use public transport
Even better, ditch your wheels and get to a campsite by public transport – this guide covers how and where to pitch up. And if you’re camping at a festival, you may get a discount for arriving by bike (and you can pack more camping kit into bike panniers than you think) or be able to buy a guaranteed ticket if you travel by train or coach.
5, Keep outdoor kit in good repair
Aim to buy good quality outdoor kit such as a great tent and sleeping bag just once – and then to look after them for years. My guide to how to keep outdoor kit in good repair is a good place to start – if your tent needs some love, treat it with a tent-specific wash such as Nikwax’s Tech Wash. Rinse well, then erect your tent outdoors on a warm day but out of direct sunlight and leave until fully dry.
6, Get greener gear
Did you know that you can rent rather than buy camping kit, so it can be used again after your adventure? Trekitt and Outdoor Equipment Hire offer rental schemes. Another great idea is to shop second-hand. Besides hiking boots, which I always recommend buying new, you can get really good quality preloved outdoor kit– try eBay, Vinted, Facebook Marketplace and brands that repurpose returns such as Patagonia and Finisterre.
7, Don’t forget the small stuff
Even tiny changes can make a big difference when you’re camping – don’t forget to bring solid shampoo bars, pack a reusable water bottle and buy biodegradable soap for dishes. If in doubt, no packaging required = a good move for the planet.
8, Go electric
The future’s electric – and you can now swap your usual car rental for an electric car instead, a great road-tripping alternative if you want to camp further afield. Sixt have electric cars available in some of Europe, as do Enterprise, and the EV Campervan Company rent fully electric campervans out of Scotland.
9, Leave no trace
It sounds obvious, but the golden rule of camping, whether that’s wild or in a campsite, is to pack out what you pack in, taking all rubbish and recycling with you and leaving no trace of your stay on the environment.
