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8 Eco-Friendly Swaps for a Greener Camping Adventure background image

8 Eco-Friendly Swaps for a Greener Camping Adventure

Up your camping game with these simple swaps

Embarking on a camping or caravanning holiday doesn't mean leaving your eco-conscious values at home. With a few simple swaps, you can turn your outdoor escapade into a sustainable journey. Here are eight practical swaps that will reduce your environmental footprint and make your outdoor experience a tad greener.

Lighting

Ditch traditional lanterns
Instead use solar-powered lighting

Light up your campsite with solar-powered lanterns. They soak up the sun during the day and provide a warm glow at night without needing disposable batteries or fuel.

Recommended - LuminAID Titan Solar Camping Lantern
LuminAID Titan 2-in-1 Solar Camping Lantern

LuminAID Titan 2-in-1 Solar Camping Lantern

This solar-powered camping lantern with built-in solar phone charger, available on Amazon, is a versatile outdoor accessory that combines efficient LED lighting with a solar-powered phone charging feature, making it an ideal companion for eco-conscious campers seeking both illumination and device charging capabilities.

  • 300 lumens and adjustable brightness
  • Lightweight and collapsable
  • Can be charged via solar or USB
  • Waterproof and durable

Buy on Amazon

Washing & cleaning

Ditch regular washing up liquid
Instead use biodegradable washing up liquid

Keep it clean without harming the environment. Choose biodegradable soap for washing dishes and yourself. It breaks down naturally, leaving no harmful residues behind.

Ditch traditional chemical toilet fluid
Instead use organic toilet fluid

When maintaining a chemical-free camping experience, swap traditional chemical toilet fluids for eco-friendly alternatives. These bio-based options break down waste naturally, minimizing the environmental impact. Not only are they safer for nature, but they also contribute to a more pleasant overall camping experience.

Recommended - Delphis Eco Washing Up Liquid
Delphis Eco Washing Up Liquid 500ml

Delphis Eco Washing Up Liquid 500ml

Combining effecting grease-cutting power with a commitment to environmental sustainability, Delphis Eco have got it right with this biodegradable and plant-based washing-up liquid. Delphis Eco is a B Corp company with an EU EcoLabel mark and two UK Royal Warrants by the late Queen and HRH Prince of Wales.

  • Kind to your hands and the planet
  • Recycled and recyclable bottle
  • Cruelty-free and pet safe

Buy on Amazon

Recommended - Eco-Mate Washing Up Liquid
Eco-Mate Pink Grapefruit Washing Up Liquid

Eco-Mate Pink Grapefruit Washing Up Liquid

This Eco-Mate biodegradable washing-up liquid is a plant-based, hypoallergenic solution that effectively tackles dishes while being gentle on the environment.

  • 100% naturally derived plant-based ingredients
  • Plastic-free paper bottles which naturally degrade and can be added to home composting bins
  • Hypoallergenic and suitable for sensitive skin types

Buy on Amazon

Recommended - Elsan Organic Toilet Fluid for Motorhomes
Elsan Organic Toilet Fluid for Motorhomes

Elsan Organic Toilet Fluid for Motorhomes

The Elsan Organic Toilet Fluid is a bio-friendly solution designed for motorhomes, providing a chemical-free and environmentally conscious way to manage toilet waste during your travels.

  • Dissolves waste and removes odours naturally
  • Mildly fragranced
  • Biodegradable and free from harsh chemicals

Buy on Amazon

Dining

Ditch paper towels
Instead use reusable napkins 

Ditch the paper towels and opt for reusable cloth napkins. They're eco-friendly and add a touch of homeliness to your outdoor dining setup.

Ditch disposable coffee filters
Instead use reusable coffee filters

If you're a coffee enthusiast, make the switch to reusable coffee filters. They're easy to clean and significantly reduce the amount of paper waste generated during your morning brew.

Ditch wet wipes
Instead use biodegradable wipes

When nature calls, opt for biodegradable wipes instead of disposable wet wipes. They break down naturally, ensuring you leave no trace behind.

Ditch non-stick cookware
Instead use stainless steel or cast iron pans

Invest in cookware made from sustainable materials like stainless steel or cast iron. Ditching non-stick pans with harmful coatings is better for the environment and healthier for you.

Recommended - Earthly's Unpaper Towels Reusable Napkins
Earthly's Unpaper Towels Reusable Napkins

Earthly's Unpaper Towels Reusable Napkins

Earthly's Unpaper Towels are a sustainable and reusable alternative to traditional paper towels, offering a durable and eco-friendly option for daily use in your household or on your travels.

  • 100% sustainable cotton
  • Machine washable, fast drying and won't smell
  • Highly absorbent and long-lasting

Buy on Amazon

Recommended - CoffeeCloth Reusable Cloth Coffee Filters
CoffeeCloth Reusable Cloth Coffee Filters

CoffeeCloth Reusable Cloth Coffee Filters

CoffeeCloth's reusable coffee filters offer an eco-friendly and permanent alternative to traditional paper filters, providing a sustainable solution for your daily coffee brewing needs.

  • Made from 100% organic cotton
  • Washable and long-lasting
  • Doesn't affect coffee taste

Buy on Amazon

Recommended - The Cheeky Panda Bamboo Antibacterial Wipes
The Cheeky Panda Bamboo Antibacterial Wipes

The Cheeky Panda Bamboo Antibacterial Wipes

Cheeky Panda have come up with a sustainable solution for on-the-go cleanliness, providing a biodegradable alternative that not only effectively tackles bacteria but also cares for the environment.

  • Made from 100% sustainable bamboo and contain plant-derived cleaning agents
  • Naturally degrade and can be added to home compost bins
  • Proven to be effective against multiple different types of bacteria

Buy on Amazon

Recommended - Regatta Compact Steel Camping Cooking Set

Regatta Compact Steel Camping Cooking Set

The Regatta compact steel camping cooking set, available in sleek silver, offers a portable and efficient solution for outdoor cooking, ensuring convenience and durability during camping adventures.

  • Set includes 1.6L cooking pot with lid, 1L cooking pot with lid. 17cm frying pan and two reusable plastic cups
  • Pans feature copper bases for quick and even heat distribution
  • 100% stainless steel - no non-stick nasties

Buy on Decathlon

Gear

Ditch cheap gear
Instead use higher quality new or secondhand gear

Before splurging on new camping equipment, consider good quality secondhand gear. Not only does this save resources, it also gives a new life to items that might otherwise end up in landfill. If you opt for new equipment, it's definitely worth paying a little more for well-made, long-lasting gear. 

Where can I buy camping gear secondhand?

There are plenty of sites that offer secondhand camping equipment but you need to be sure that you are getting what you pay for. 

  • Operating since 1999, eBay is one of the UK's most popular platforms for buying and selling. Some good finds can be spotted there but do your research before bidding.
  • Gumtree is an online classified advertisement and community website which offers thousands of pre-loved items for sale. Use the handy filters to find what you're looking for quickly.
  • Similarly, Preloved is a classified ad site that has plenty of camping equipment listings from awnings and caravans to stoves and sleeping bags.
  • Outdoor recreational clothing company Patagonia has a platform called Worn Wear which offers worn Patagonia products at discounted prices.
  • Camping equipment company Vango offers a similar scheme called Camping Recycled which lists hundreds of ex-display, refurbished or previous season products. 
  • Recreation equipment giant Decathlon also have a secondhand platform called Second Life. From bikes to fitness, camping to watersports, find thousands of products ready for a new home.
In summary

Embracing an eco-friendly approach to camping doesn't mean sacrificing comfort. These simple swaps reduce your environmental impact and enhance the overall experience of communing with nature. So, gear up, go green, and enjoy a more sustainable camping or caravanning holiday!