How Can You Lower Your Impact on the Environment When You’re Overlanding

While overlanding is an amazing experience, it also has an influence on the environment, due to the vehicles used for this activity. The cars are large ones with gas or diesel engines and low mpg’s, which is not good for the environment. Of course, it’s hard to find a proper vehicle for overlanding that doesn’t have this problem, as hybrid or electric vehicles are not yet available for this activity.

Luckily, there are many things you can still do as an overlander to care for the environment and make sure you don’t pollute. Although fun, overlanding and camping can be both good and bad for nature. If you want to make a change, though, then here are a few things that you can do to reduce the impact you have on the environment while overlading.

1. Use Eco-Friendly Products

You may have to clean your vehicle and some of your items at one point, and if that’s the case, you may use chemical solutions to perform this action. However, it’s not beneficial to the environment. This is why you should switch to eco-friendly products.

For instance, bicarbonate of soda and vinegar can help you a lot, as they are great at cleaning and they are also cheap. You can mix the ingredients and create the magical cleaning solution, and spray it on the surface you need to clean. After you let the mix take action, you can simply wipe off any residue and be done with it.

2. Be Careful with Water

Water is something that cannot be missing, especially while you’re overlanding. You’re going to be on the road for a long time, which means you cannot afford to be low on water supplies.

But as important as it is to have water all the time, you should also be more responsible with your water. Using less water will not only make sure you save more for when you really need it, but it’s also more beneficial to the environment. Perhaps use a water filter and purifier, and use public water sources when possible.

Try to save your laundry for when you get to the next holiday park, and use less water when showering. For example, using less soap, shampoo or detergent will allow you to use less water.

3. Don’t Use Plastic Straws

While plastic straws can be a good way to make a drink look and feel fancier, they are not good for the environment. Basically, every straw you’ve ever used will never go away from this earth. They will all gather up and harm nature in the end.

If you must use a straw, then make sure it’s a bamboo one. Bamboo straws are sustainable and renewable, as well as 100% compostable.

4. Ditch Plastic Bags

Not using plastic bags is one of the best ways you could help the surrounding nature. As useful as they are, plastic bags can be harmful to the environment. So, among all the other eco-friendly things you are going to do, ditching plastic bags should be on top of the list.

Don’t buy plastic bags at checkouts anymore. Also, look for products that are packed in recyclable bottles, cartons, boxes and anything of the sort. The key here is to not use anything made of plastic. Plastic is not biodegradable, and it’s very difficult to recycle as well.

5. Drive Slower

You may be very tempted to drive faster so that you can cover a higher amount of miles every day. Sadly, this is not exactly the friendliest thing you could do for nature. Driving faster will make your vehicle emit more carbon, which will lead to pollution. As such, it’s very important to consider driving much slower so you can reduce carbon emissions. You should also try to go for bio-diesel more often if your vehicle allows it.

6. Eat More Organic and Local Food

You should also pay attention to where you shop. If you want to help the environment more, you can do so by purchasing food that is more organic and is locally grown. That means that there is less fuel used when transporting and refrigerating it and that it’s fresher, as well as tastier and more nutritious.

Not to mention that you should also consider the food that wasn’t treated with chemical feeds, energy-intensive pesticides and artificial fertilisers.

7. Stop Using Single-Use Coffee Cups

Morning is different when you have coffee, and overlanders know that for the most part. Still, when you brew your coffee, use a stainless-steel cup and give up on non-recyclable cups. You’ll generate less waste this way and you’ll make sure you’re not harming the environment.

Final Thoughts

Overlanding and camping can be very fun activities, but you should also care for the environment. You can thank Mother Nature for providing you with so many nice things by following these tips while overlanding. You’ll pollute less and less and thus do your part in keeping the environment healthy.