Camping & sustainability tips: Camping in harmony with nature - here's how!
Mirijam Pelikan
· 14.06.2024
Everyone is talking about sustainability and the 2024 trend is also very present among campers. But how do you holiday "properly" if you don't want to live today at the expense of tomorrow? Yes, the inhibition threshold is usually high, because many holidaymakers want to do everything right when tackling the topic. That's why we've put together some simple tips for making big changes in small steps that anyone can implement.
We were supported in our research by Ela and Oli. The two of them spend around a quarter of the year on wheels - whether on holiday, on a business trip or at the next camping fair. Under @vanriding, they record their experiences on Instagram and give followers an insight into their lives. The special feature: the focus is on sustainability as well as adventure on all their trips. Cycling also plays a key role here under the term "slow travelling". We will explain what this is all about later in this article.
Sustainability is a generational issue
If you want to tackle the topic of sustainability in general, you quickly reach your limits. There are too many points to consider, too many obstacles in the way. But you can also take a simple approach to the topic.
Basically, the start towards sustainability is very easy, as camper Ela is sure: "I grew up like this. Sustainability is not a trend for me. My grandma set an example. In the end, I simply applied it to the camper and our lives."
You can learn a lot about sustainability by looking back two generations: Grandparents and great-grandparents lived with and from nature. They knew which vegetables were available at what time of year and were able to source regional produce. This is still possible today and when camping anyway.
Enjoy camping regionally, save petrol
Humans are creatures of habit. We have our favourite food, favourite drinks, favourite brand of beer - and preferably always plenty of them. But if you take a lot from home with you, you not only have a lot of baggage and use more petrol, but also miss out on getting to know regional specialities. So it's better to go shopping at the local farmers. This stroll saves petrol and offers a change from the usual daily routine. And if you are travelling with your own basket, you also avoid plastic packaging.
What should you look out for at an ecological campsite?
Not all campsites are the same, at least not if they are supposed to be environmentally friendly. If you want to stop off at an eco-friendly campsite, there are a few things you should look out for: For example, is the campsite set up close to nature? This protects regional biodiversity.
The owners should also have favoured natural materials when building the camping facilities. These points can be found out in advance through precise research. Last but not least, the use of renewable energies and modern, energy-efficient technology on the campsite is important. One example is the sanitary facilities. At ecological campsites, care is taken to use resources - such as water - sparingly.
The environmental friendliness of a campsite can be determined at first glance with the seals and certificates awarded or on websites such as ECOCAMPING, EU Ecolabel, Viabono, Bookitgreen or the Green Key ecolabel
Away from the chemical toilet
Even if it is a disgusting topic for many, the discussion about the camping toilet is an important point. Conventional camping vans are usually equipped with chemical toilets. These usually work with chemical sanitary fluid.
To reduce the burden on nature and sewage treatment plants in the long term, you should also avoid using chemicals when going to the toilet. There are now very good, chemical-free and biodegradable toilet additives.
However, you can also dispense with additives altogether and switch to alternative systems such as dry separation or composting toilets. Disposal is then even possible with organic or residual waste.
Camping tour with a plan
Whether it's a short road trip or a long summer holiday: if you just drive off, you run the risk of falling by the wayside in terms of environmental friendliness. The more sustainable you want your holiday to be, the more time you need to put into planning it.
Whether it's where the best eco-campsites are, which weekly markets are on the way or how long you can get by with the water before you have to top up again - thorough research in advance is essential for sustainable campers.
Slow travelling by bike: the journey is the destination
"For us, holidays start as soon as you get into the camper," says Ela. If you can get involved, you won't be rushing after your destination, but will stop at places along the way that you didn't have on your radar. Then simply leave the car parked for two or three days and explore the area by bike.
This form of travelling has now also made a name for itself as "slow travelling". This is because you can experience the holiday region in even more variety and detail by bike and visit corners that you wouldn't even get to by campervan. In addition, there is the idyllic tranquillity of a cycle tour, which is also 100% climate-neutral. The advantages? Save petrol and enjoy quality time!
Learning for life while camping
But just as you transfer sustainability aspects from everyday life to camping life, you also learn for everyday life when camping. Ela and Oli summarise: "At the end of the day, every trip teaches us how few things we need to get by on the road. Camping makes our whole life a little more sustainable."
