How to be a more eco-friendly motorhomer:
Many of us are familiar with how to be more eco-friendly at home, but it might be time to bring the green revolution to your motorhome. While we’re not quite ready for net zero motorhoming, there are plenty of things you can do to reduce the environmental impact of your trips.
To help you take to the open road with less of a guilty conscience, we’ve put together some handy tips so you can be a more eco-friendly motorhomer.
General tips to be a greener motorhomer
If you want to make your motorhome trips more eco-friendly, there’s more you can do than just recycling (although you should do this too!). Here are some general tips:
1. Drive efficiently
Of course, the eco-friendliest motorhomes of the future will be electric, but since we’re not quite there yet, it’s important to be as fuel efficient as you can. Some of the best ways to conserve fuel include:
Keep your engine well-maintained – older engines will never run as efficiently as new, but maintaining your engine in good working order means your motorhome will be polluting as little as possible.
Keep your tyres pumped up – with your tyres at the right pressure, you’re not only more fuel efficient, you’re also safer.
Drive at consistent speed – this keeps your petrol guzzling to a minimum. It’s also good to avoid sudden braking or accelerating if you can help it.
Don’t leave your engine idling – to avoid polluting the atmosphere with unnecessary exhaust fumes, turn off your engine when you are not using it.
Watch your motorhome’s weight – heavy or overladen vehicles consume more fuel, and therefore are more polluting. To keep your weight down, don’t over pack your vehicle and consider only filling your water tanks once you reach your destination.
2. Invest in solar panels
When it comes to getting green energy into your motorhome, installing a solar panel gives you your very own source of renewable energy. It can charge your leisure battery on cloudy days too – and a twin battery solar panel will also be able to top up your engine battery.
Harnessing the free and clean power of the sun might save you from having to plug in to an electricity source at all, or at the very least allow you to be more considerate of how much energy you use. Solar panels are particularly good if you enjoy motorhoming off-grid.
3. Insulation over ignition
It’s far more eco-friendly to insulate your motorhome and make sure your windows are double glazed than it is to ignite your boiler or run heaters. You can also insulate yourself with warm layers, fluffy socks and thick blankets. A well-insulated motorhome will keep you cosy even on those chilly nights and save both the earth and your pocket.
Being eco-friendly at the campsite
There’s lots of actions you can take when you arrive at your campsite to minimise your impact on the natural habitats around you. You may even choose to stay at campsites that are nature reserves or have a specific focus on keeping their environmental impact low.
So, what can you do to be more eco-friendly at the campsite?
1. Dispose of toilet waste and grey water responsibly
Dumping your toilet waste or grey water in an unsanctioned place can contaminate water sources for both people and animals, spreading bacteria, degrading habitats and, if it contains particularly harmful or toxic chemicals, killing wildlife.
Many campsites will have the appropriate facilities for wastewater disposal, but you may want to check before you make your booking so you don’t get caught out.
2. Reduce, reuse, recycle
As good a rule at the campsite as it is everywhere else. You can keep plastic waste to a minimum by using reusable plates, cutlery and cups. Recycle packaging where you can.
When it comes to food, pre-making meals and bringing them in reusable containers can help reduce food waste and anything you don’t eat in time, pop in the compost.
Going on a motorhome trip is also a great opportunity to eat local produce, which arrives on your plate without the addition of hundreds of air miles. If you’re camping on a farm, you may even be able to buy products made right where you’re staying!
3. Use nature-friendly cleaning products
Swapping out harmful cleaning chemicals for organic, biodegradable solutions is a great way to do something small that can make a big environmental difference. Look for eco-friendly cleaning products and toiletries as they won’t pollute our water systems. Opting for a reusable washcloth over single-use wipes is also a more sustainable choice.
4. Considerate campfires
Almost everyone loves a campfire – it’s a staple of going on a camping trip. But, if you’re a fire-lover, it’s best to not burn excessive fuel. Kiln-dried or coffee logs (made from recycled coffee grounds) are kinder to the environment than wet or green logs.
In dry conditions, make sure you keep your fire under control or, if they’re prohibited, don’t break the rules. You don’t want to be responsible for a wildfire or destruction of precious wildlife habitat.
5. Leave no trace
Minimise your impact on the natural environment around you during your stay. When you leave, make sure you take everything away with you, including checking under your motorhome in case rubbish has fallen or been blown there. Dispose of it all properly.
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