Zero Waste Camping: The Ultimate Guide (with checklist)

When it comes to zero waste camping, the whole premise is based on the fact that when you pack, you are packing things that will leave zero waste. But a lot of the time, that is not the case. We pack many single-use plastic items like cutlery, cups, plates, etc. that we leave behind in garbage bins, or some cases, it's left as litter. Neither of these is a good option.

Ironically, we produce so much trash when we camp! In this ultimate guide to zero waste camping, I will break it down into food, gear, toiletries, garbage, etc. And hopefully, give you enough information that you will leave no trash behind! Remember to take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints.

I am not a professional camper, my hubby is, and together we make a really good team. He gave me lots of advice for this blog, there are many great sites you can visit for the best gear, etc., but I know a lot about waste and how to reduce it!

How to plan a zero waste camping trip?

The most important thing you can do before you camp is to research the area you are going to. In the USA and Canada, we have hundreds maybe even thousands of campsites, and almost all of them have websites that you can look at to plan your trip. You will want to know what kind of bathroom/ shower facilities they offer, do they have dishwasher stations? Do they have outhouses or water facilities nearby where you can fill up?

Most car camping sites offer some of these amenities, but if you are heading into the backcountry, these will most likely not be an option. No matter the kind of camping trip you are taking, you will need to do some research before you head out. And keep in mind backcountry camping is not an invitation to leave garbage behind; whatever you bring in, you must bring it out! That includes food waste and even soiled toilet paper - more later.

You need to know what kind of waste management services they offer, recycling, composting, etc. If there are none, you will need to be properly prepared. I'll go into more detail in the garbage section.

Responsible waste management and removal are critical to camping. It ensures our parks and campsites are safe for people AND animals. Animals can choke on plastic because they think it's food! Your safety is also paramount, so the campsite must be kept BARE for bear safety. Parks Canada has some great resources for how to do it right.

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Here's the thing, if you leave food out and a bear wanders in and attacks you, they have to kill the bear. We must avoid this at all costs and remember we visiting their home, not the other way around!

Leave No Trace Canada is an organization that promotes responsible camping whose principles are recommended by the province's camping guides and have a simple rule: pack it in, pack it out. I highly recommend a visit to their website.

Once you have a good idea of where you are going and what they offer, you can start planning what to take. I will not lie, planning a zero waste camping trip is work, but in the end, it's worth it.

Zero Waste Camping: Water & Ice

Where do you get water when camping?

The biggest tip I can give you is to plan plan plan. The only way to ensure your camping trip is eco-friendly is to pre-plan! Food, snacks, and water can be a challenge if you are backcountry camping.

Water when backcountry camping: I suggest packing a large reusable water bottle (filled). When you run out use the portable water provided on-site instead of carting a whole bunch of plastic water bottles. You might also want to consider a water filter.

For car camping sites, there are normally places you can fill up on water close by. But the best option is to buy a large reusable water container. I'd say at least 5 liters as you will need water to drink, wash, and cook with. If you camp often, you can buy this once and reuse it repeatedly. You can also consider getting something like this secondhand or borrowing one. This is what my husband and I use. We store it in the garage when we are not using it.

If you are buying drinks in a nearby town, try to buy in glass and tin, these have higher recycling rates than most plastic containers.

What about ice when camping?

Great question. It can be a real conundrum, as the ice comes in plastic bags! I have two ways you can approach this, the easy and the hardish way.

The easy way (not the best) is to buy bagged ice. If you have to do this, buy the biggest bag you can, and then keep the bag to reuse for other things on your trip, like collecting trash, using toilet paper, or recyclables.

The hard-ish way takes a little more planning and work. But it is doable! Instead of ice, use ice packs. These stainless steel ice packs are pretty amazing. They stay frozen for a long time.

You can make your own if you don't have enough ice packs. Keep old plastic containers, fill them with water, and freeze them. This is what my hubby and I do. You can use plastic yogurt containers, margarine, etc. The bigger, the better.

You can also freeze water in older plastic water bottles, and when they melt, you can use that water to clean your dishes, wash your hands, or even drink. I am not a fan of plastic water bottles, but if you have them, you might as well reuse them. Just make sure you discard them properly.

Keep your cooler in a shaded area to help the ice last longer. In some parks, they do have ice dispensers. Ask if you are not sure.

And, of course, always pack your reusable water bottle! You will need this when hiking and are away from your campsite.

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What kind of food should you pack when camping?

You need to eat right! And it's super easy to buy buns, burgers, hotdogs, etc., that come in plastic bags, but again with a little planning ahead, you can reduce your waste significantly. This is especially true for zero waste camping!

For buns, buy them directly from a bakery and use a reusable bread bag. It's a little more challenging for hot dogs and burgers, so maybe opt for different food.

For snacks, go to a bulk shop and stock up on nuts, seeds, and granola, mix them to make your snacks, and package them in small silicone baggies or sandwich bags like these or these. These are great for kids and adults, easy to pack, lightweight, and great for hiking. Making your snacks is good for your budget too. They are also really great backpacking food containers.

I know pre-bought salads like macaroni are easy and popular. See if your grocery store will allow you to bring your glass container. If they do great, package it in something a little lighter, like stainless steel, when you get it home. These Tiffin ones are the best. I find glass is good but can be a bit heavy. You can also make your salads which is much healthier too!

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What can I use to wrap food instead of plastic when camping?

Instead of packing plastic wrap, opt for beeswax wraps instead. These are a way better option than saran wrap. You can wash them in cold water and reuse them to wrap food. Beeswax wraps will keep your food fresher than plastic, 100%. I suggest packing a few sizes. If you don't have any of the above reuse whatever you have at home, even if it's plastic!

What is the best food to take camping?

For meals, I like to pre-cook a large batch of chili, portion it out into silicone baggies and then freeze them. These can double as ice packs too. You can thaw these out in the day and cook at night. You can either warm it up on a camping stove or on the fire. You can do the same for soups!

It's all about prepping ahead of time, can you see the theme here? Plan out your meals, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Try to pre-make as much as you can. And don't forget you can always use food scraps as food too!

For breakfast, you can pre-make your pancake mix. And if you want to pack eggs, scramble them up raw and place them in a container. That way, you don't have to worry about the eggs breaking.

If you are not going to be cooking, then pack foods like salads, sandwiches, smoothies, muffins, whole fruits like apples and bananas, corn on the cob, baked potatoes, and squash that can be roasted on a campfire, and are also really great budget options for camping.

Other budget foods when camping includes carrots, celery, homemade hummus, and peanut butter for your apples. Easy to make, easy to carry, and yummy.

If you are cooking, I've given you some ideas. Pinterest has some amazing ideas for homemade make-ahead camping meals. Not only will these save you time when camping, but will save you a ton of cash as well!

Don't forget to pack loose tea and instant coffee, salad dressing, oils, butter (for the corn), etc. I keep my almond milk in an insulated water bottle. It keeps it nice and cold. You can do this for any hot or cold drink.

So planning zero waste camping meals is not as hard as you think. Some finals food tips:

• Vegetarian dishes are easier to make and will last longer than meat and dairy
• If you are packing meat, eat it first, while the ice is still hard
• Buy bread and fruits the day before you level to keep them fresh, or freeze the bread
• Dry goods are lighter, pack more of those eg: nuts, granola, etc.
• Always be aware of where your closest water station is

What about plates, cups, and utensils?

Please don't take single-use plastic items with you when you camp. If you don't camp often, take what you have. Silverware from your kitchen will do just fine. The same goes for the plates. If you have patio sets made from melamine, use those. If you don't have reusable plates, rent them, borrow them, or buy them secondhand. Thrift stores can be gems for these types of goods. You can also take coconut bowls. They are super light and easy to clean.

Earth Hero is one of my favorite alternatives to Amazon has these fantastic zero waste kits that are perfect for your next camping trip! Life Without Plastic also has some really good zero waste camping options. Like stainless steel plates, contains, water jugs, and more!

If you camp every year, you've probably invested reusables. That's what my family has done. Pack lots of cloth napkins and rags for hands and dishes.

What about zero waste camping toiletries?

Pack the basics. I take a shampoo bar that I can also use as soap. Zero waste toothpaste and toothbrushes. Zero waste deodorant. Beach towels that can be used for showering and swimming. I have to be honest when we camp, we swim, and that's my shower. There are often no shower facilities, so we have to rough it a bit, and I am okay with that! I also pack a good all-purpose salve that can be used for bug bites and as a lip balm.

Now, let's talk about toilet paper and pooping. Yeah, we are going there! Leave No Trace Canada details how to properly dispose of human waste when camping. Please read it before you head out. Bring unbleached toilet paper and throw some water over it when you pee. If you have to take sanitary napkins or tampons, never bury them, you will have to keep them and dispose of them in the garbage or compost bin.

What about bug spray and sunscreen when sustainable camping?

You need both. There is no getting around that! For sunscreen, look at The Eco Hub's guide to sun care. You can find some great natural sunscreen at The Detox Market.

Bug spray! I make my DIY bug spray that I always take with me. I also love this bug-repellent bar from Life Without Plastic.

"Natural repellents inspire the recipe for this bar, traditionally used long ago, like citronella, cedarwood, and neem oil. It is GMO-free, cruelty-free, certified organic, and plastic-free making it one of the most Earth-friendly insect repellents."

What type of gear do I need when I am camping?

I will not go into everything you need for this blog. I am going to cover the basics. When it comes to gear, zero waste is not possible. You need a tent, sleeping bags, etc. But you can make your camping trip more sustainable by choosing better gear. And don't forget your swimsuit and beach towel.

This eco-friendly tent from REI is made from recycled polyester headed to the landfill. REI has some of the best camping gear on the market. Built to last. I feel like a tent is an investment. You want to buy a good one ONCE so you don't have to replace it repeatedly. This eco-friendly sleeping bag is made from recycled fibers and is super affordable.

Now for camp stoves, this is probably one of the coolest items on the market for camping. The BioLite is a small compact camping stove with a grill and a kettle. BioLite is on a mission to help people who don't have access to electricity.

"Half the planet lives in energy poverty, lacking safe and reliable ways to cook, charge, and light their lives; three billion people cook over smoky open fires daily, leading to 4 million premature deaths annually."

These startling stats got the founders thinking about how they could bring safe, affordable energy to those who needed it most. How cool is that! I own this one and LOVE it!

You can pack your blankets but need a little to make your camping trip comfier. These from Rumpl are made from discarded plastic bottles turned into synthetic insulation. Rumpl sources everything ethically and is also part of 1% For The Planet.

They are also working to be carbon neutral by partnering with Climate Neutral to achieve this. They also support many local grassroots organizations and are B. Corp Certified.

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You will also need a really good bag for zero waste backpacking. United By Blue carries a gorgeous range of backpacks. For every single item they sell, they remove one pound of trash from oceans and waterways, to date they have removed 3.5 million pounds of trash and counting!

When you buy one of their sustainable backpacks, you are buying something built to last! All the materials they use are from GOTS-certified factories from sustainably sourced materials. Find a range from hemp, organic cotton, recycled polyesters, and Tencel.

United By Blue is a B. Crop Certified business that takes ethical manufacturing to heart. You can read all about their factories on their website!

So these are the big things you need. You should also consider solar-charger and rechargeable batteries. These have saved me so much money!

How do I clean up when camping?

This is so important. As I said at the beginning of this post, leave nothing behind. Pack extra bags for your garbage. Have a dedicated bag for things that can be recycled, like pop cans, canned foods, etc. Dedicate another bag to organic waste (food scraps) that can be composted.

If you have plastic waste, never burn it. It's highly toxic and never bury it, either. Plastic contains chemicals that can leach into the soil and water; of course, animals can ingest it and get sick.

Never bury food waste, either. It will attract animals to the campsites, which is dangerous for them and us. Just like pre-planning your food, you must also pre-plan for your garbage. Find out what kind of waste management is available where you are going.

If they don't have compost bins, be prepared to bring this home with you. If you are worried about the smell, use compost bags and place the bag in the cooler. When you get home, place it in the green bin.

Waterproof, reusable shopping bags can also serve as garbage bags while camping. You can use the rags to clean up your hands, etc. I take my reusable DIY wipes with me. Make a batch before you head out, and pack them in a silicone bag. I also pack a small container of Dr. Bronner Castille soap for cleaning.

Can you wash your dishes in the lake?

There is a lot of debate about this. Lakes and rivers can contain parasites and bacteria. If you can't drink from them then probably not a good idea to wash your dishes. On the other side of the debate is the kind of soap you use. You must use a water-friendly, biodegradable soap not packed with toxins and other crap that can harm the delicate ecosystem. Here's an in-depth look at how to wash your dishes when camping.

If you're using biodegradable soap, Leave No Trace Canada recommends using small amounts and doing so about 70 meters away from any bodies of water. Once you're done, scatter soapy water.

Making a zero waste campfire

Do NOT make a fire unless you know it's permitted and no fire bans are in place. This information will be available on the camp's website and in the park itself. You must follow these rules. Ask yourself do you need a fire. Leave No Trace says, "The natural appearance of many areas has been degraded by the overuse of fires and an increasing demand for firewood.” Use dead wood, do not cut trees, and disturb habitats.

If you want to make a fire, here are some suggestions from them: pick a location that has lots of wood available and avoid higher elevations and desert settings, use an existing fire ring, and jeep the fire small and burn all the wood to ash and make sure it's 100% out before you walk away.

To light the fire, use natural fire starters like those made from beeswax or these If You Care Biomass Firelighters made from FSC-certified wood and 100 percent non-GMO vegetable oil.

Why zero waste camping?

Getting away from the city and spending time in nature is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Nature gives us so much, it's basically like medicine for the body, mind, and soul. For me taking care of nature is one of the most important things I can do as an environmentalist.

With a little pre-planning, you can have a sustainable camping trip. If you camp often, you have probably already had all the camping essentials. If you are just starting, you can rent or borrow items, Shop second-hand and thrift shops.

Zero Waste Camping Checklist

Food/Cooking:
🗹 Stove & Fuel
🗹 Reusable Coffee Cup/ Insulated reusable bottles
🗹 Large Water Container
🗹 Reuseable Eating/Cooking Utensils
🗹 Matches or natural fire starters
🗹 Spices/Herbs
🗹 Milk/Sugar
🗹 Coffee/Tea
🗹 Cooking Oil/Condiments
🗹 Pre-packaged Snacks
🗹 Hiking Snacks
🗹 Pre-planned meals, chili, etc.
🗹 Food Storage Bags
🗹 Bags/Containers for your garbage

Must take:
🗹 Topographical Map
🗹 Compass
🗹 Flashlight / Headlamp
🗹 Knife/ Pocketknife
🗹 Nylon Cord
🗹 Solar Lights
🗹 Solar Charger
🗹 Bug Repellant
🗹 Sunscreen

Gear:
🗹 Tent
🗹 Sleeping Bag
🗹 Blankets / Pillows
🗹 Sleeping Pad or mattress
🗹 Tarp

Toiletries:
🗹 Toothbrush/Paste
🗹 Biodegradable Soap - Dr. Bronner or a shampoo bar
🗹 Toilet Paper or sanitary napkins/tampons
🗹 Towels

Clothing:
🗹 Warm Socks for the evening
🗹 Undies
🗹 Hat
🗹 Light windproof jacket
🗹 Rain Gear
🗹 Swimsuits for men and women
🗹 Hiking Shorts/Pants
🗹 T-shirts
🗹 PJ's
🗹 Hiking Boots
🗹 Comfy campsite shoes eg, Birkenstocks
🗹 Sneakers
🗹 Sunglasses

Meds:
🗹 First Aid—Survival Kit
🗹 Allergy meds if you need them
🗹 Medic Alert ID
🗹 Your medications
🗹 Polysporin/ bug bite cream
🗹 Water Purification Filters or Tablets

ID/Permits:
🗹 Fire/Camping Permits
🗹 Personal Identification

Other:
🗹 Camera/Film
🗹 Notebook/Pen
🗹 Field Guides
🗹 Playing Cards
🗹 Small Board Games

I will leave you with this: “A bad day camping is still better than a good day working.” And for any camping essentials you might need from this list, we have many of them in the brand directory. Just click on zero-waste.

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