We’ve all heard the phrase: recycle, reuse and reduce. I know many of us want to be part of the solution when it comes to sustaining our natural resources and leaving a world our children and grandchildren can live in and enjoy. And I know many of us have felt anger when we see what some campers leave behind at the campground, but I began wondering what happens to the things that do make it to the dumpster. To me, it seems like a better idea is to not create as much garbage in the first place. When I really looked hard at what happens to “recycled” products, I decided to focus on the three “R”s – and to add one more: repurpose. If we are careful about what we buy and pay attention to how it is packaged, we can impact the amount of trash being created and create a world of sustainable living.
REPURPOSE
I started small by using real dishes instead of paper plates when I camp. The process of turning brown tree pulp into white paper plates is tough on the environment. It’s so easy to just wash a plate and use it over and over. Buy old plates you love at a thrift shop or yard sale and take them home in your own shopping bag. Do the same with drinkware, cutlery, coffee thermoses and anything else you use for food or drinks. It really adds up! White paper towels and napkins are produced much in the same way as the paper plates, so break out the sewing machine and make some cloth napkins. Or invest in some if you aren’t crafty.
I also look at what I own and when it cannot be used for its original purpose or repaired, I think about how I can repurpose it for a second life. I cut up an old air mattress that had too many leaks to repair and used it to make covers for my mom’s outdoor furniture. Use old linens for curtains and tablecloths; old suitcases instead of plastic storage bins; and old cookie tins to store small items and keep fire starters dry. Chances are high that what you need is right in your house.
RESEARCH
Look for products that pay attention to plastic packaging. There are soaps, dish detergents, toothpaste tabs and sheets of laundry detergent that all come in non-plastic containers. My favorite is the Redbud Suds which I began using a while ago and love. It is a 4-in-1 shower bar – shampoo, conditioner, soap and shaving cream. This is an easy switch, not to mention convenient when heading to the camp bath house. Another product I love is my Cotopaxi backpack made from salvaged and ethically sourced products. I go out of my way now to look for companies with a commitment to treating their workforce and earth well. Check them out at cotopaxi.com to read their mission statement.
REFILL
Spend the money to purchase a quality water container for the campground and keep refilling it. The number of one-gallon water jugs that won’t end up in a landfill or the ocean will be worth the added effort. Bonus: you will save money, too! Add a charcoal purifying stick to your water for added filtration if you want. Use refillable propane tanks, not the small disposable ones. There are a few adapters for the larger tanks that allow you to hook up more than one device on them. The tanks last longer and are much more cost effective.
REPAIR
Lastly, repair what you can. Once upon a time, we used to repair things instead of throwing them away. In 1997, I bought a Coleman Grill to Go. It has been on so many of our family’s camping trips over the last 25 years, but it was full of rust and grease and no longer working. I watched several YouTube videos, took it apart, removed the rust and grease and now it’s ready for the next 25 years of camping. I have also repaired or replaced tent poles for many of our tents. You can find everything you need to repair or replace a tent pole at tentpoletechnology.com. A little research can lead you to a site that can supply you with a missing or broken part and keep that piece of gear going for a long time. The money saved can be added to your travel budget! I have discovered that recycling, reusing, repurposing and reducing my waste gives me a thrill that no new purchase can give me. If I can’t use it anymore, I donate it to someone who can. Little by little, I keep chipping away at those landfills.
This article was originally published in Girl Camper Magazine.
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