Travelling by motorhome brings us closer to nature, so it makes total sense to look after it in small ways too. Cutting single-use plastic is one of the easiest changes with the biggest impact: it means less rubbish (a real issue in a camper, where space is limited), it saves money, and it shows respect for the places you enjoy. Here are simple tricks to make it happen.
Why cutting plastic in a camper pays off twice
- Less rubbish to deal with in a small space (see waste management).
- Less spending: reusables work out cheaper in the long run.
- More respect for the natural places you visit.
- Fewer microplastics in your water and food.
Water: the big saving
Single-use water bottles are one of the biggest sources of plastic on a trip. The solution: fill your tank at reliable points and, if you're unsure about water quality, filter or purify it rather than buying bottled water (see purifying water). A good reusable bottle for each person completes the system.
Shopping and cooking
- Buy in bulk and fresh produce from markets: less packaging.
- Bring cloth bags and reusable jars/containers for shopping.
- Avoid single-serving portions and over-packaged items.
- Cling film and plastic bags: swap them for airtight containers and reusable wraps.
Day to day
- Reusable plates and cutlery, not disposable ones (it's more pleasant, too).
- Solid or large-format/refillable toiletries and cleaning products (ideally biodegradable, since your grey water ends up in the environment; see grey water).
- Reusable bags for everything.
In summary
Cutting plastic in your camper means less rubbish, less spending and more respect for your surroundings, starting with the biggest culprit: bottled water. The step to take today: swap single-use bottles for your tank (filtered or purified if needed) and reusable bottles, and bring cloth bags and containers for bulk shopping; small changes with a big impact. Combine it with sustainable motorhome travel.