How to camp zero waste
If you’re anything like me, as the weather heats up camping is top of mind. Misty morning hikes, afternoon naps in the hammock, sitting by the campfire, roasting marshmallows, and cooking camp meals! (Am I the only one who actually really loves camp meals?)
Plus, getting into the great outdoors can be really beneficial for connecting folks with environmentalism. Once you experience the beauty of nature, you’re more likely to want to protect and conserve it. This can lead to introspection on your camping habits. Well, at least it did for me! Once you have to “pack it in, pack it out” and “leave no trace,” you become acutely more aware of the waste you produce and the footprint you’re leaving, both metaphorically, physically, and otherwise.
We can always learn a thing or two from each other about our low waste tips, so here are a few of my favorite ways to camp low-waste.
Have designated camp cutlery and dishes
A lot of folks use disposable plates, napkins, and utensils when they’re camping because they don’t have access to their dishwasher or sink at home. They think camping is the perfect excuse to not have to do dishes, when actually it’s the time where you really should be using reusables. Using disposable plates and utensils (even paper and “biodegradable” ones) can be expensive and wasteful. It takes energy and water to make these and that’s not even considering the carbon footprint it takes to ship them to the store near you. When possible, it’s best to use dishes you can reuse, even if it’s just an old chipped mug and a set of plates from the thrift store.
I have a camp box with a set of plastic plates, cups, bowls, enamel coffee mugs, wooden cooking spoons, a cutting board, and silverware. Those items live in my camping box so I know I have what I need at the drop of a hat. I also have reusable napkins and linens so I don’t have to pack paper towels! I only need to throw in my cast iron dutch oven, and I’m prepared to cook nearly anything while I’m camping. It makes packing for a trip that much easier, AND it means I’m able to save money since I don’t have to buy disposables every time I go camping.
When it comes to cleaning up after a meal, I have two wash basins (simple plastic tubs that nest when they’re not in use). If I’m camping somewhere with access to water, I fill my kettle with water, heat it over the camp stove until it’s steamy, then get out my basin, compostable sponge, biodegradable castile soap, and get to scrubbing. I conserve water by getting all the dishes soapy at once, put them all in one basin, then slowly pour the warm water over one dish at a time to rinse. I place the rinsed dishes in the right-hand tub where they can start to air dry. As I rinse from left to right, the warm, sudsy runoff from each dish adds to the water in the left basin, meaning the dishes have more and more time to soak. Once all the dishes are in the right basin, I leave them out to dry in the sun, or towel dry if it's night time. Then I walk a few yards away (or a safe distance if you’re in bear country, check with rangers if you’re not sure!) and dump the used water outside of camp. Alternatively, you can also leave the water in the basin and use it to extinguish your campfire if you are allowed to have one! With just a little planning and a dash of intentionality, you can avoid creating needless waste. Plus, I actually think doing dishes in the wilderness is an extremely peaceful and mindful task. But hey, maybe I’m a freak. ;)
You can also be fancy and get a collapsable camping sink like this one!
Have a designated handwashing station
Another area that creates a lot of waste is wipes and handwashing. If you’re not camping in a campground with bathrooms, it can become more difficult to wash your hands. I’ve seen a lot of campers opt for disinfecting wipes in these cases. I get the appeal of the convenience, but it’s really not that hard to have a handwashing station!
I always camp with my 5 gallon jug of water. I slip a hand towel through the handle of the jug, place my castile soap (or bar soap) on the top of the jug, and BOOM instant hand washing station. All you have to do is open the jug’s spout to a slow trickle, suds up, and rinse and dry your hands.
Zero waste bathroom habits while camping
It’s important to have a plan of action before nature calls in the great outdoors. When you gotta go, you gotta go! If you’re not camping somewhere with pit toilets or restroom access, I recommend having a portable bidet and reusable toilet paper or a kula cloth. Whether you’re going number 1 or 2, you can use the Bidet Toob to rinse your undercarriage, then just pat dry with your reusable TP or kula cloth! EZPZ, guys! (Remember to dig a hole deep enough for your… waste, and stay a safe distance away from water sources! Again, check local guidelines and learn from rangers.) The portable bidet is also a game changer for menstruating campers!
Zero waste cooking while camping
This goes hand in hand with doing dishes while camping, but low waste cooking while camping really just requires a bit of prep. If I’m going to be cooking eggs while in the wilderness, I like to crack however many I’ll need into a jar and put that straight in the ice chest. Then, when it’s time, you just pour the pre-cracked eggs into the pan and scramble away! Bonus points if you add spices, chopped up veggies, and a protein source! The options are endless. You could do a broccoli cheddar scramble, soyrizo hash, ham and bell peppers? Meal prepping not only reduces time from pan to mouth, but also reduces your waste. A win-win for hungry and eco conscious campers.
I also like to prep tuna salad to slap on a couple pieces of bread for a quick sando. I chop up carrots and peppers and stick them in a what? Yes, A JAR! To have for quick snacks. Jars are your friends while camping guys! Silicone bags and shatter proof food storage is great, but can be expensive. So if you don’t have a whole set up, just use the pasta jars you have! I assure you, you do NOT need to prep your food in ziploc baggies. (You get a free pass if you intend to reuse your ziplocks instead of tossing them at the end of your trip. It’s only single use if you plan to use it only once.)
Bonus products to have
I’m now realizing that I could go on and on about low waste camping hacks, so maybe I’ll do a part two someday, but for now I’ll leave you with a list of a few of my favorite low waste camping products:
Kuju coffee single-serve pour over coffee – This coffee is freaking DELICIOUS and is backpacking friendly as it’s lightweight and compostable. Great for when you don’t have access to a larger camp stove because all you need is hot water. (Jet boil friendly!)
Toothpaste tabs – These are great for camping because you can take only as many as you need for the trip instead of buying a new travel sized plastic tube of toothpaste.
Moka pot for espresso – If you have access to a camp stove, a moka pot is a great zero waste way to make coffee while camping! I’ve linked this product to a big box store, but you can probably find one wayyyyy cheaper second hand at the thrift or online marketplace of your choosing. :)
Solid shampoo & conditioner bars – Tossing a couple solid bars in the camp bag is wayyyyyy easier than filling up little travel size containers. Plus Dip shampoo and conditioner bars are what I use at home normally anyway! So I know I will love how my hair looks and feels while camping. They’re nontoxic and made with biodegradable ingredients too.
What are your low waste camp hacks? I want to hear from you! Connect on social media or send an email to hello@vesselrefills.com anytime.