Sustainable development blog : ecology and humanitarian aid

Picture courtesy of http://www.campingweb.tk/

Camping trips are all about spending time outdoors, enjoying the beauty of nature and interacting with the environment we are a part of. So it’s important that what we take away from our camping trip is beautiful memories and what we leave behind is nothing more than an imprint in the grass where we pitched the tent. There are things around the house that

we can re-use in new ways to help make our camping trips more eco-friendly. This saves money, cuts down on waste and helps reduce the need for packaging that purchasing new items would require. Here are a few suggestions for using things you already have around the home that can help make your camping trip a little greener:

1. Old bedspreads are great for camping. Sew 12 inch ties to each corner and tie them to the camp table legs. They won't blow away and are a great table cover. They can also be used to cover food and other things that are left on the table to protect them from insects and other pests.

2. Placing a 9 x 12 painter's drop cloth under the tent will keep it dry. When returning home this can be put away and used over and over again.

3. Prescription pill bottles are great for cream, lotions and other things where an entire bottle is not needed.

4. Using aluminum foil to cook food is great. Just put in the food, fold up the foil and bury it in the coals of the campfire. After use, do not throw it away; scrunch it into a ball and use it for scouring other pans as needed.

5. Old nylons are great on a camping trip. They can be tied together and used for a rope as needed. A bar of soap can be placed in the bottom of a nylon sock and used as a body scrub. When not in use it drips dry and the soap is not wasted.

6. Take along some empty tuna fish cans and fill them with water. When these are placed under each table leg it keeps the ants away. There are many other things that are can be used by campers and hikers alike that are eco-friendly. It is important to always remember to leave the campsite clean and neat for the next person that will be using it. Campgrounds, as a rule, have places to dispose of things when leaving. Be friendly to neighbors and if you have something left over that is usable offer it to them rather than throwing it away. That is what being a good camper is all about.