Okay, so I’ve been trying to get more into this whole “sustainable living” thing, and it’s tougher than it looks! But I figured, I love being outdoors, so why not start there? Here’s how I tried to make my last weekend adventure a little more eco-friendly.
Planning the Trip
First, I picked a spot that wasn’t too far away. No need to drive for hours and burn a ton of gas, right? I found this awesome state park about an hour away that I’d never been to before. Score!
Then, I thought about gear. I already have a bunch of camping stuff, but I made sure everything was in good shape. No need to buy new stuff if the old stuff still works. I patched up a small hole in my tent and cleaned my reusable water bottles.
Packing Smart
This is where I really tried to cut down on waste. I packed all my food in reusable containers – no plastic baggies! I even made my own trail mix with stuff I bought in bulk. Felt pretty good about that.
- Reusable containers for all food
- Homemade trail mix (bulk ingredients!)
- Refillable water bottles (duh!)
- Cloth napkins instead of paper towels
- Biodegradable soap for dishes
On the Trail
At the park, I stuck to the marked trails. You know, leave no trace and all that. I picked up any trash I saw, even if it wasn’t mine. It’s amazing how much junk people leave behind. Seriously, pack it in, pack it out, people!
I also tried to be mindful of water use. I only used what I needed for cooking and cleaning, and I made sure to use that biodegradable soap I brought. No polluting the streams!
The Campsite
Setting up camp was pretty standard. I made sure to set up my tent in a designated spot, so I wasn’t disturbing any plants or anything. I also used a portable camp stove instead of building a fire, since it was pretty dry and I didn’t want to risk anything.
When it was time to pack up, I double-checked everything. I made sure I didn’t leave a single scrap of anything behind. It took a little extra time, but it felt good knowing I was leaving the place as good as I found it, maybe even a little better.
The Takeaway
It is not that hard to apply the sustainable concepts into my outdoor camping. Small steps like packing food with reusable bags and boxes. I will keep trying to be better, but this felt like a good start!
