There are plenty of things you can do to bring down the environmental strain while at the campsite.
- Consume water wisely
- Save on electricity and heat
- Use eco certified cleaning products and essentials
- Reduce the amount of waste you produce
- Sort the waste you do produce
- Help others find the nearest waste bin
- Walk, bike or dans around the campsite.
Water is the most essential resource we have and we all need to do are best to save on what we have. If you are staying in a “camping vogn” it makes sense to save on water as you most likely need to pick it up yourself.
In the toilet, bathroom and kitchen areas water should never be running for no reason. While brushing your teeth the water should be turned off. The same goes for taking a shower. Why not turn the water off while you apply soap, shampoo etc. To safe water, many campsites have water saving showers and sinks, some have sensor while others require payment according to consumption incentivizing the users to save on water.
At the campsite’s communal kitchen water should never be turned on for no use. There are many tips on how to save water f.ex. by using a bucket for rinsing your vegetables or doing the dishes.
When you clean all your camping gear, your car or auto camper use a brush and a bucket of water. Only use the water hose at the end – if necessary. Try applying a “sprinkler gun” at the end of the water hose. That will save you a lot of water.
Save on electricity and heat
Campers that stay in a tent often don’t bring a lot of energy consuming appliances and stick to using the services at the campsite.
A growing number of the mobile homes and “camper vans” have become more and more advanced and geared with a lot of energy consuming appliances. Luckily, technological development has made huge improvements in terms of lighting, so energy consumption in this particular area has been reduced immensely.
Many campers are able to camp most of the year and the Danish weather is very unpredictable. Therefore, a need might present itself for either turning up the heat in colder periods or the aircondition in warmer periods. Remember to close all doors and windows, when these appliances are turned on the maintain the right temperature while using them, to avoid spending unnecessary amounts of energy.
Remember to turn off these appliances, when leaving the vehicle. This also reduces the risk of fire.
Use eco certified cleaning products and essentials
When you clean something, whether that is yourself, your car or your dishes use cleaning products that are free of harmful chemistry, thus are better for the environment. Look for products that are certified and labelled with the Nordic Swan, the EU Flower, Blauer Engel (German label) and Blue Label from Asthma-Allergy Denmark.
Reduce the amount of waste you produce
Utensils in stainless steel is much better for the environment that plastic items.
The same goes for reusable straws, water bottles and coffee mugs. Don’t forget to reuse what you can and get dispose your waste rightfully. And before you leave, make sure to figure out whether or not the water it safe to drink from the tap at the campsite you are going to.
Sort the waste you do produce
You may know how to from the way you sort the waste at home. You are able to do exactly that at the campsite if you choose a campsite that is labelled Green Camping. Look into how the particular campsite sorts its waste and ask the personnel if you have any doubts of the procedures. You are most like to sort according these fractions:
- Glass bottle with and without refund
- Cans with and without refund
- Paper
- Carton
- Residual waste
In many of the Danish campsites you will also be able to sort your waste in more fractions such as plastic and bio (food waste). You will also be able to find facilities for the disposal of residual waste.
Help others find the nearest waste bin
Campers love the nature and they are often very aware of the fact that they are not supposed to leave any waste in nature. But there could be others, dog walkers, young people, other tourists and the likes that might need a kind, helping hand. If you see any waste that was carried out of the bin by the wind or bird scavenging the bin, it makes a big difference if you help it bag in the bin, so it does end up in places or in stomachs where it doesn’t belong.
Walk, bike or dans around the campsite.
As a camper you know that you are not supposed to turn on any engines to visit the reception, service building or kitchen. Most people walk but some also bring their bike along for this particular purpose.