If you’re a fan of camping and road trips, you’re probably already aware of how much space trash takes up in the car or tent. Unfortunately, campsites may not have many trash cans or dumpsters for you to dispose of this trash. This is why it’s important to know how to cut down on trash while you’re camping so that it doesn’t pile up inside your vehicle or tent.
Pack Reusable Items
Reusable items are critical to cutting down your trash while camping. Pack reusable water bottles, utensils, cloth towels, containers, ice packs, and more, and you will significantly cut down on the amount of throwaway paper, plastic, and other waste you use. You can wash all of these items and reuse them throughout your trip, making them more useful than their disposable counterparts.
Bring Your Own Food
If you can, pack your own food for the duration of your camping trip. Buying food from the drive-through window is convenient but heavily increases the amount of waste you create in a day. If you pack food at home, not only will you be saving money, but you also have more control over how much packing materials you use. You can wash and reuse a plastic container from home, but you’ll have to throw away a greasy paper bag and wrappers from the drive-through.
Separate Your Waste
As you create waste during your trip, make sure to keep the different types of waste sorted in appropriate bags. Whenever you come across a garbage or recycling station, you can throw away your items quickly, and you won’t put anything in the wrong receptacles. If you or your family takes part in composting back at home, consider bringing along a sealed container to store your food scraps and keep them with you.
When planning for your camping trip in the Sierra, make sure you remember these tips for how to cut down on trash while you’re camping. You’ll save yourself the headache of traveling with days’ worth of trash, and you’ll feel better about your footprint on the environment.