Greener Camping (simple affordable swaps)

camping on the dunes Hannah Cole

Hannah Cole

If you like camping but don’t want the noise and crowds, Small Campsites lists sites eto pitch tents and park caravans and motorhomes, listed by region and type (all-year, family, dog-friendly etc).

Keep dogs on leads where rules apply, walk only on marked trails, keep away from swimming in streams and ponds, and clean up after your pooch, using biodegradable poop bags. Also ensure dogs have good recall (to protect them and wildlife).

Read about pet safety (to avoid toxic plants and hazards). 

There are sites where you can camp in people’s gardens, but care must be taken to ensure dogs and wildlife are safe, with secure organic lawns. 

Helpful tips for greener camping

  • If you smoke, use a personal ashtray (to safely stub out butts).
  • Choose unscented biodegradable beauty and laundry products.
  • Pee at least 30 metres from rivers and streams (if there no loos nearby, poo at least 60 metres away (away from farm animals), and cover your ‘business’ with soil and leaves!)
  • Wild camping is illegal in most parts of England (to protect private land, plants and wildlife from trespassing, fires and barbecues.

Easy low-waste swaps for cooking and eating

  • Bring a reusable water bottle for each person, plus one larger refill bottle (or a water carrier)
  • Use a mug, bowl and spoon from home, over disposables. A basic-wash-up kit only needs a small amount of biodegradable dishwash liquid.
  • Use soap sparingly, and keep it well away from streams, lakes, and drains on the pitch.
  • Use lidded containers to store leftovers, and use take your rubbish home.
  • Take reusable cutlery and mugs, and a small flask for hot tea.

Easy low-waste swaps for washing and toilets

  • Use washable flannels over disposable wipes, even an old cotton t-shirt cut into squares.
  • Use biodegradable soap and shampoo. Wash at least 60 metres (around 70 adult steps) from water streams and follow toilet disposable rules.
  • Choose zero waste feminine care, packed in sealed bags.
  • Use wind-up and rechargeable torches and lanterns.

Envirotent (a water-resistant cardboard tent!)

Envirotents

Envirotent makes sturdy cardboard tents that are warmer, sturdier and darker than nylon (plastic) tents. And a lot easier to put up, without the bother of tent pegs! They are insulated and water-resistant (not totally waterproof). And are easy to dismantle and recycle, at end of use.

Obviously don’t smoke in or near it (that goes for any kind of tent). Any cooking should take place at least 2 metres away from the tent. 

These tents are not the same as cardboard boxes. They are made from a high-performance board that has fewer surface holes, enhancing water resistance.

So they can brave heavy rainfall (and survive up to 4 weeks outside in winter) without need for coatings. A great ideal also for rough sleepers, to keep warm and dry. 

This company does not ‘sell tents’ to the public, but rather sells them to sites for music festivals, then collects and recycles them at end of the event, to stop the 1 in 4 plastic tents being left and littered. Campers are welcome to take their tents home, but they are not easy to transport due to their size.

Wild camping without permission, is actually illegal in England. So councils need to clamp down.

Tent Litter and Waste in England

Around 250,000 tents are abandoned each year in the UK, creating around 900 tonnes of plastic waste (around 70% of people only use a tent once, when bought). Made mostly from polyester or nylon, most end up on landfills or are incinerated.

On mainland Europe, there are many places where people can rent a tent, but as yet, they have not taken off here. You can drop off unwanted camping gear at some outdoor shops for recycling, so ask beforehand (or ask your council, if not).

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