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Author :Caleb Summeril in Education

There are many great ways to help the environment while RVing. A common characteristic between many RV enthusiasts is a strong love and appreciate of the outdoors. All RVers who take advantage of the many amazing RV campgrounds across the country know how peaceful and serene a trip into the wild, natural world can be. The wind through the trees, the endless stars at night, and deep breaths full of crisp, clean air can be a much needed reset for those of us who live busy lives. There is a certain allure that nature has over the human spirit, it often seems to bring us closer to the source of all things somehow.

As more and more people take advantage of camping and RVing while utilizing the natural resources all around, it becomes ever more important to take care of and respect the environment. The wild places we love and know, whether it’s a favorite campground or some remote secret location, can disappear quickly if not taken care of. Now, RVing doesn’t inherently sound like an environmentally friendly endeavor. Driving a large vehicle over vast distances uses quite a bit of resources and most RVs still run on gas or diesel engines. There are some easy tips and tricks to help the environment while you travel that may seem simple but over time, can have a drastic effect on helping to preserve the natural wonders that surround us.

Start with the Simple Stuff

Becoming environmentally friendly while RVing does not mean you have to make huge changes to how you travel or enjoy your RV experience. If you start with some small steps, it can eventually create a strong impact. An easy first step is to make sure your RV is operating efficiently. A basic maintenance checklist can help insure that your vehicle is operating at an efficient level and not burning excess fuel or leaking oil or other toxic fluids while you drive. Proper air pressure in your tires can lead to better gas mileage and so can keeping your speed down around 55-60mph. It may not seem like much, but a few small steps, when many people take them, can really add up and have an impact.

Watch your Waste

No, this advice does not pertain to eating less while on the road. Watch your waste means be aware of how much trash you make while RVing as well as how you dispose of it. It should go without saying, but NEVER litter. Do not throw trash outside of a moving RV or leave a campground full of your waste. Littering is a terrible thing that still happens far too often and if this writer were in charge, you would lose your driver’s license, pay a hefty fine, and be locked up in a dumpster to reflect on your crimes if caught littering.

Seriously though, always dispose of your trash in the proper fashion. Separate trash from recycling and dispose of both in the correct manner. Most campgrounds will offer dumpsters where you can put your waste but if you are boondocking somewhere far off, you will need to pack it out yourself and dispose of at the nearest gas station, rest stop, or other location that makes sense. To take things to an extra level, always make sure your camping spot is left in a better condition than how you found it. Pick up any small or large trash items left by others before you and try to eliminate any signs that you were there at all. And always dispose of your black water in proper and designated sewage stations, that one should be obvious.

Use Less

This is broad advice but easy in essence. Use less overall and you might just enjoy your experience more. Use less what? Well, for starters, everything. When camping, try not to use a generator unless absolutely necessary. Instead of watching TV, go outside and find a shooting star – you’ll use less gas and make more memories. Try to only cook and prepare the food you know you’ll eat so there is less waste at the end of the night. Instead of using a propane heater, throw an extra blanket or sleeping bag on your bed. Remember that travel is about the experience and not about material possessions or gain. Enjoy the simple peace found camping and you just might realize you don’t really need anything at all to have a great time.

Take Advantage of Modern Innovations

There are some modern innovations that make your RV more environmentally friendly. Most rigs these days have at least a few solar panels to power small electronics and lights. Use the energy from the sun to keep the lights on or charge your devices. Install another panel onto your vehicle, if needed or get a few solar lights or chargers to keep on board. These days there are even full blown solar kits that can allow you to bypass the need for a generator at all.

If you want to take things to another level, consider converting your RV to waste veggie oil, an electric engine or some other alternative fuel. I have travelled thousands of miles in an old ’68 International school bus/RV conversion that was fueled on vegetable oil. It takes some effort to do a conversion and get started but the feeling of making a change, and not paying for gas, is pretty darn amazing. The vegetable oil movement is a bit dated but if you want to find out more check out this book. Other alternative fuel methods do exist and are well worth exploring if you are curious and really want to take a stand on environmental change while you RV.

The steps each of us take towards helping the environment can add up quickly to truly have an impact on future generations. Please take some of these words to heart and do your part to practice some simple steps while RVing to help the environment.