1. Use eco-friendly food containers and bags.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Plastic wrap and bags may make food storage easier, but they also do a number on Mother Earth. They are made from crude oil, a non-renewable resource, and they won\u2019t degrade in a landfill for a really, really<\/em> long time \u2014 say, several hundred years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fortunately, there are options to keep your food and<\/em> the planet protected, such as silicone reusable food storage bags<\/a> or washable storage containers. Instead of plastic wrap, try greener alternatives such as those made from cotton fabric infused with beeswax, suggests Life On Route<\/a>. Just wash, dry, and use again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For your fresh fruits and vegetables, use Ecowaare\u2019s reusable produce bags<\/a>. You can even use them when shopping instead of the bags at the produce counter since they allow the cashier to scan produce tags and stickers right through the bag. (For more food storage products, check out this post<\/a> from EcoFriendly Habits.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Speaking of shopping, bring along your own reusable grocery bags instead of using plastic store bags at the checkout counter. Too many store bags cluttering your camper. Bring them to the store since many retailers now have designated bins where you can leave them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Recycle while on the road.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Your recycling habits don\u2019t have to stop because you\u2019ve left home. With some advance planning and a little research, you can still put your recyclables to good use instead of in the trash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re staying at a campground, call ahead to find out if they have recycle bins. If not, check online at Recycle Finder<\/a>, How2Recycle<\/a>, I Want To Be Recycled<\/a>, or Bag and Film Recycling<\/a> for the closest drop-off site to where you\u2019ll be staying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then designate a few bins to hold the cleaned recyclables until you can dispose of them. Most places have separate containers for paper and plastic, so doing it ahead of time is more efficient. Not sure what can be recycled? Campendium has a great post on the subject, but plastics with symbols that include the numbers 1, 2, and 5 are the most commonly accepted types, along with paper and cardboard products and tin, steel, aluminum, and glass containers. Don\u2019t include plastic store bags since they can cause problems with the machinery at recycling facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Improve your fuel economy.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you head off on the road, make sure your camper and tow vehicle are ready to roll by having all the needed services done. Improperly aligned or inflated tires, a dirty air filter, or a poorly maintained engine can negatively affect fuel consumption and<\/em> your wallet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Next, watch the weight. The more you pack into your camper, the less fuel-efficient your tow vehicle will be, says The General RV<\/a>. One way to keep the weight down is to pare your packing to only what you need. Then, empty your camper\u2019s holding tanks before taking off on the next leg of your trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, review your travel plans. While crisscrossing the country sounds exciting, it can also use up a lot of fuel. And if prices are high, it can also break the bank. Consider travel plans centered on a particular area, or at a minimum, use a travel app to find the best route to your next destination. As for \u201ctaking the road less traveled,\u201d while the adventuresome part of you might welcome the surprises along the way, you might also have to backtrack because it didn\u2019t take you exactly where you wanted to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4.<\/strong> Use Eco-Friendly Transportation.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n So far, your focus has been all about energy conservation. But once at your stop, it\u2019s time to expend a little of that energy in the form of physical activity by using alternate forms of transportation. Depending on where you are, consider biking, skating, or using a scooter to explore the location. Just make sure you\u2019re properly outfitted and that you have a way to secure your equipment if you decide to stop along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not up for that much activity? Then look into public transport. Some places have free trolleys or bus services that hit the points of interest in an area. Check the website of the local visitor\u2019s bureau for information. Visiting a national or state park? There may be a trolley or shuttle service from the parking lot that will give you a tour of the park without using your own fuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5.<\/strong> Visit Eco-Friendly Campgrounds and Destinations.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Not all campgrounds are environmentally friendly, so if you want to help out Mother Nature while benefiting from what she provides, try to find eco-friendly ones. According to Boondockers Welcome<\/a>, some things to look for are LED fixtures and solar power for heating swimming pools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds<\/a>, for a park to be recognized as a Plan-It Green Friendly Park, it must meet at least nine of the 16 eco-friendly criteria<\/a>. KOA has a similar program, awarding Kamp Green certification<\/a> to a campground that reaches and maintains a minimum of 29 points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 6. Shop local.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Not only will this benefit the local farmers and other cottage industries, but it also means you\u2019ll be buying fresher products that haven\u2019t had to travel hundreds of miles before reaching store shelves. And it gives you a chance to enjoy homegrown fruits, vegetables, and other items right from the source, says The Dyrt<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can use the USDA\u2019s National Farmers Market Directory<\/a> or Local Harvest site<\/a> to find a farmers market close to you. Or just get off the highway and drive along country roads, keeping an eye out for farmstands!<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. Go solar.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n nuCamp teardrop trailers and truck campers now come standard with rooftop solar, but if your RV doesn\u2019t already have solar panels, you might want to think about adding them to supplement the power provided by your generator or campground electrical service. Not to mention give you more boondocking options, says Harvest Hosts<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While you\u2019re at it, invest in solar chargers for your personal devices. ZDNet<\/a>, Digital Camera World<\/a> and GearLab<\/a> provide a rundown of the various types.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 8. Insulate your RV.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you\u2019re traveling in frigid weather or triple-digit temps, adding some extra insulation to your RV can help reduce your need for heat or air conditioning. Boondockers Welcome<\/a> lists insulated walls, duo-glazed windows, and RV skirts that will keep the cold (or heat!) out. Then put some thought into your parking plans. In hot weather, aim for shady spots to reduce the draw on your A\/C. When the mercury drops, give your RV as much sunlight as possible. Finally, close the shades or curtains to keep the hot summer sun from heating up your camper\u2019s interior, while in cold weather, insulated curtains can keep any drafts out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 9. Be a green cleaner.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Using earth-friendly, biodegradable cleaners keep harsh chemicals off your hands and out of the water. But sometimes, it\u2019s hard to distinguish between hype and truth. Life On Route<\/a> recommends looking for renewable resources (i.e., solvents from citrus and vegetable oils) in the ingredient list, low VOC content, and effectiveness even when used with cold water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The EPA<\/a> manages the Safer Choice program<\/a> that certifies those products that contain safer ingredients for human health and the environment, and the Design for the Environment (DfE)<\/a> certification for antimicrobial products, such as disinfectants and sanitizers. Use the Safer Choice<\/a> and DfE-certified<\/a> tools to find xthe products that will be safe for you, the environment, and your camper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As for what to clean with, skip the paper towels in favor of rags or microfiber cleaning cloths. Use, wash, dry, and they are ready for the next round!<\/p>\n\n\n\n 10. Buy secondhand gear to help the planet and save your cash.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Depending on what you\u2019re looking for, you can save money and help keep items out of the landfill by buying secondhand. The General RV suggests checking local thrift shops or Facebook Marketplace, as well as retailers such as REI Co-Op Used Gear<\/a>, The Northface Renewed<\/a>, Patagonia Worn Wear<\/a>, and Switchback Gear Exchange<\/a>. If you’re attending a nuCamp rally, there are often swap meets where owners sell their gently used camping equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 11.<\/strong> Follow the 7 <\/strong>Leave No Trace<\/strong><\/a> principles.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This is an obvious way to ensure that, as you travel the planet, you leave it in good shape. Leave No Trace provides innovative education, skills, research, and science to help people care for the outdoors, all based on seven core principles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Want more ideas on improving your Eco-IQ? Check out these other posts on our blog!<\/p>\n\n\n\n How to be a Green Camper<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/nucamprv.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Recycle-1024x660.jpg\")
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