Our first proper camping trip in Gracie
We’ve actually managed to plan our first proper camping trip in “Gracie” our new camper van. Next week we’re of to Scotland for 6 nights to drive the NC500 and we’re packing for a Zero Waste Camping trip.
The NC500 starts in the northern city of Inverness, weaves along the west coast to Applecross and then northwards towards the towns of Torridon and Ullapool. From there, you’ll venture to some of the most northerly coastal points in Scotland, passing by Caithness and John o’ Groats before heading south again through Dingwall and finally back to Inverness.
It’s a long time since we’ve been camping; you can’t really class Glamping as proper camping. So, I’ve been making lists of what we need to take. And, as we are trying to reduce our waste at home we also want to try and be as Zero Waste as possible while we’re on the road.
How we chose what to buy
When we started buying our camping gear I used the same principles I use for buying things for myself and our home. Being Zero Waste is about encouraging a more circular economy so the products we buy have to be good quality, long lasting and reusable. It’s also important to look at ethics and practices of the companies who make them.
Primus is the company that we decided to buy our camping pots and pans from. Not only do they produce high quality, long lasting products. They also have strong environmental policies.
Mother nature will always survive in one way or another, but if our generation continues to drain the nature, coming generations will surely have trouble to enjoy it as we are able to do. Our existence as an outdoor brand – and as individuals who constantly thirst for new outdoor experiences – is closely linked to our environmental awareness.
We seek to make more efficient use of resources in everything we do, to find more environmentally friendly alternatives and to make our company as close to one hundred percent climate neutral as possible. If we don’t, we won’t have any adventures to go out to.
– Lars-Ola Brolinson, CEO at Primus
Our main criteria when looking at things we needed to buy was “Buy Me Once” and “Do We Really Need That”
I think we now have a well equipped camper van with everything we need for a Zero Waste Camping trip
what to pack for a zero waste camping trip
- Reusable cutlery and crockery – Bamboo plates and bowls
- Stainless Steel cooking pans – we’ve bought good quality Primus ones which should last
- Reusable water bottle and coffee cup
- Natural fibre bedding – I’ll be testing out our new wool Baavet Duvet
- Soap bar, wooden brush & hemp scrubby for washing up
- Cotton tea towels
- Plastic free toiletries
- Bamboo Loo Roll
- Produce bags and containers for shopping
- Rechargeable torch
- Food basics from home in reusable containers e.g tea, coffee, cereals etc
- Container or bag for recycling and rubbish until you can dispose of them correctly
I’m really looking forward to our trip. However, I’m sure it’s going to be a bit of a learning curve so I may need to come back and update my list for things I’ve forgotten!
Are you a list person ?
This is such a good idea! There is always lots of rubbish on camp sites left over, more people should be into doing this. Have you heard of a blogger called Charlotte from SimplyTogether? She does loads of zero-waste, plastic free, sustainability posts! You should check her out!
Caitylis x x
No I haven’t heard of Charlotte, I’ll definitely check her out thanks.
Some great tips here that I’ll be keeping for my camping trip next month!
Enjoy your trip next month.
I love the idea of a zero waste camping trip! As our family gets bigger I think that we will be enjoying camping holidays in years to come 🙂
We had a great time with just the tow of us but we’re going away with the grandchildren soon which will be fun.
Primus are a fantastic company to buy from and their products are so high quality. I am going to be purchasing a new stove in the summer for our week long hike. The other tips are great way too as many people up the disposable factor when camping
We tested out our Primus pans and they were great, so glad we invested in them
So much of this is just common sense or things you might have at home but easily forgettable. Thanks for the great list.
We go camping a lot. I really need to look into some of these things, I would love to buy some bamboo cutlery and plates. We take things like coffee in reusable zip bags usually but you have given me some great ideas.
I’ve never been camping before, but I love a good list. You have some great suggestions here.
I am a to-do list orientated person and often have to write them before I start my day. Good luck and have fun on your camping
thank you
I love camping and I love this idea. I have never used bamboo loo roll before. Some of the things you included are great alternatives!