Get back in touch with nature and recharge your batteries without impacting the environment.
Zero Waste Camping Basics
Borrow, rent or buy second hand camping gear
Look for reliable brands which will last
Leave the plastics at home and bring reusable plates, cutlery and cups
Bulk water container which can be refilled
Bring reusable containers or ziplock bags for food
Biodegradable toiletries and dish washing soap (Zero Waste toiletries)
Cloth wipes instead of paper towels
Zero Waste Camping Food
Food packaging produces the most waste while camping, but if you meal plan and prep ahead of time you can avoid the garbage bags altogether.
Buy meat and dry goods in bulk in your own containers (Brisbane Zero Waste Resources)
Do as much food prep at home as possible
Freeze what you can to keep them cooler for longer
Compost your food appropriately so the wild animals cant get to it, or bring it home in a sealed container
Zero Waste Camping Food Ideas
Steak and veg
Sausages and bread
Fruit
Oats
Campfire/boiled/fried potatoes
Boiled/campfire corn on the cob
Toasties
Beans
Damper
Baked goods as snacks
Aluminium Foil
Cooking on the camp fire is a must when camping, but you can now leave the foil at home. Instead pop your potatoes or corn in their husks straight onto the coals to cook. Use a spoon to soup out the delicious potatoes and simply peel back the husks of the corn.
Otherwise throw them into a camping pot sitting on the fire.
Zero Waste Camping Ice
Buying plastic bags of ice everyday while camping is expensive and isn’t very efficient in keeping food cold. Not to mention the soggy mess you’re left with if you don’t store your food appropriately.
Dry ice can be customised to last the length of your trip and is simply wrapped in newspaper
Freeze big bottles of water for drinks plus you can drink it once the ice does melt
If you’re a serious camper look at buying second hand or borrowing a fridge/freezer which can run off solar panels.
Remember none of us are perfect no matter how hard we try, so dispose of any rubbish appropriately.
Do you have any other Zero Waste Camping tips? I’d love to hear them in the comments below!