How to be an eco-friendly camper

According to research carried out by renewable energy company Good Energy; over a quarter (26 per cent) of those surveyed said they would consider leaving behind a tent after going camping or attending at a festival.

Kate Turner from Good Energy, said: “It’s surprising just how much rubbish people leave behind when camping or at a festival. Even some of the ‘greenest’ campers leave behind a bigger footprint than from their own walking boots or wellies.”

The renewable electricity company also found that whilst not completely ‘green’, a sizeable 64 per cent confessed that they would think about using the great outdoors for the call of nature, whilst 40 per cent would also contemplate sharing a shower with a partner, friend or even a stranger to save on water.

“Whether you’re a camping professional or a bit of a novice, we’ve put together a simple list of handy eco-friendly camping tips that’ll help make your trip this year as green as the scenery around you.”

Good Energy’s top tips are:

Before arriving at your chosen destination, one of the greenest steps you can take is to think carefully about your journey and how you are travelling there.

According to festival charity Energy Revolution, travel makes up around 70 per cent of a festival’s carbon footprint so whilst driving might seem like the easy option, a much better alternative is to travel by public transport instead.

Not only will you burn a lot less fuel and help protect the environment, it’ll also save you time and the hassle of traffic and parking too.

If driving is an absolute must, try to share transport with others to make the most out of any carload. If you need a lift or you’ve got some empty seats, check out GoCarShare.com which helps travellers share journeys all over the UK. Create a request, enter your details and off you go!

If you’re not an avid camper or regular festival goer, don’t feel like you have to buy lots of new camping equipment. A much greener option is to look for backpacks, tents and other essentials at second-hand stores and charity shops or see what you can find on useful recycling websites.

However, if you’re often found sleeping under the stars, companies like Green Outdoor are perfect places for buying sustainable camping equipment. From tents made from recycled plastic bottles to sleeping bags made out of environmentally friendly material, there are lots of green options available.

Unplug and go greener by leaving all your electronic devices at home – particularly ones which use batteries or that need to charge in the car.

If it’s essential, try opting for small solar power chargers instead which are a great alternative for powering phones, Mp3 players and games consoles. Solar lanterns and solar jars are also a good substitute for gas or electric lamps. Torches, radios and phone chargers now also come in small lightweight wind-up versions, too.

It might be tempting, when camping or at a festival, to use disposable plates, cups and cutlery at every mealtime. However, not only do disposables cost a lot more than taking reusable items, in the long run they’re also more harmful to the environment as well.

But if you don’t fancy taking your china or silverware on holiday, there are a variety of other greener products available. From lightweight titanium plates and reusable water bottles, to foldable tupperware and compact cutlery, these are on sale at most outdoor shops, take up virtually no space and can be reused time and time again.

And On most occasions, festivals and campsites are located on privately owned areas of land. That’s why it’s always important to do what you can and remember to take all of your rubbish and recyclables with you when you leave.

By keeping a bin bag in your tent, not only can you keep the field tidy for the next round of visitors, it’ll also make getting rid much easier too. Simple yet effective.