As a lover of the environment and all things nature, you may often find yourself racking your brain for ways to be greener while RVing. In honour of Earth Day (April 22), we have put together some tips on how to reduce your impact on the environment while on the road.
Watch Your Water Use
Since RV technology has advanced to produce high-functioning toilets, showers and sinks, it can become hard to track how much water you are actually using. Using water frequently not only has a heavy impact on the environment, but it can become pricey too. To save more water on your trips only shower when needed (embrace that rustic lifestyle and invest in waterless products) and make the switch to a water-saving shower head! You can also save water by planning meals with less kitchenware and dishes, utilize your barbecue and campfire instead!
Limit Waste and Litter When Cleaning Up
Humans produce and contribute to the large amount of waste that ends up in our landfills. To protect the wilderness where you RV and camp, it is extremely important to leave the campsites exactly how you found them. This means cleaning up any leftover trash or items that would be harmful to the surrounding animals and recycling what needs to be recycled. Other ways to limit waste while on the go is to invest in reusable dining and kitchenware items so that there is less waste being produced. Although paper plates and plastic utensils may be convenient, they do have a heavy impact on the environment. When washing reusable kitchen items, it is beneficial to use eco-friendly soap as it will not damage the environment when being pumped out.
Cut Back on Energy Use
Running air conditioning, heating, appliances and lighting can burn gas fast and can be harmful to the environment. Here are some easy and inexpensive ways to conserve this energy while RVing:
- Make sure your tires are properly inflated before your trip! Tire air level can increase your fuel efficiency by 20%.
- Save your speed for the racetrack. Driving the speed limit is not only safer and saves you gas, but it allows you to enjoy the scenery even more!
- Utilize awnings and trees for shade and the lake for a cool down instead of keeping that AC running 24/7!
- Pack layers and extra blankets to heat up on nights that are a little chillier instead of using the heater all night.
- Use a barbecue or the campfire to cook instead of electronic equipment.
- If you choose to do laundry while on the road, consider air drying your load instead of using a dryer!
Use Solar Panels and LED Light Sources
Saving energy can start at switching over your light bulbs and flashlights to LED bulbs. LED's use less energy than the traditional bulb, plus they are cool to the touch meaning you won't burn yourself while changing them! Another key energy saving tip is to make the switch to solar energy instead of a generator which saves so much energy and costs around the same price to put into action. One solar panel can power almost all of the electronics within your RV!
Utilize Premade Campsites
When choosing a place to camp for the night consider picking a premade campsite to park your RV. A premade site allows you to find a place that instills greener methods (like low flush toilets, recycling units and paperless reservations) while allowing your vehicle to have a designated spot without disrupting nature. Choosing to park your vehicle in a random location can lead to the destruction of native plants and habitats without you even knowing!
When RVing is done with an environmentally conscious mindset, it can be the greenest and most eco-friendly form of travel. Making some small adjustments to the way you travel and camp in your RV can have a major impact on the environment around us.