Sustainable Van Life
In recent years, the concept of sustainable van life has gotten a lot of attention. As the global community grows more conscious of human-caused climate change, we must also address the effects of tourism. While tourists may not always consider the negative environmental impact of even a short journey, there is a method to conserve the natural world through tourism. We want to help you be responsible for your personal carbon footprint by introducing you to the concept of sustainable travel as people who like traveling this wonderful globe.
9 Steps To Be More Responsible to the Mother Nature
1. Leave no trace
This is one of the key ideals of van life, and it’s especially important when it comes to living a sustainable and environmentally responsible lifestyle. Every day, but especially while we’re out in our vehicles, it’s critical to respect the environment and make good decisions.
Respect the wildlife, don’t leave trash behind, and don’t dump your water into natural water sources… It should be hard to tell you were at the campsite in the first place when you leave!
Take it a step further and invest in a fold-up litter pick to keep in your van so you can assist people who are less conscientious than you in picking up after themselves.
2.Park Mindfully
Pay attention to where you park your vehicle. Check to see if parking is permitted before embarking on your sustainable van living trip.
Wild camping is not permitted everywhere. Wild camping and freestanding are permitted in some areas of Albania and Switzerland.
Before parking off a campsite in the UK, always be sure to verify with the private landowner. Respecting the rules is an important part of living in a responsible van.
3.Take your time while traveling
If you’re planning an eco-friendly van trip, keep in mind that the amount and manner in which you drive has a direct impact on your environmental impact.
You don’t have to rush from place to place in order to fit everything in, as many backpackers do. Please take your time! Keep to the speed restrictions (both for safety and legal reasons) and drive slower where possible; have fun!
Driving more cheaply would not only benefit the environment, but it will also give you more time to enjoy the scenery as you go.
4. No more waste
The waste reduction should be a concern in any lifestyle, but it’s especially crucial for living in a sustainable van. It helps us make the most of our space and decreases the amount of waste we send to the landfill.
Getting rid of single-use plastic and paper is a significant step toward being zero-waste. Whenever possible, avoid purchasing items that come in excessive packaging. Many stores now allow you to bring your own Tupperware to fill with things like lentils and grains, reducing the amount of plastic used.
Bring a few reusable bags with you.
Invest in some fruit and vegetable bags.
To prevent using plastic bottles, look for places to fill up with water.
Also, make an effort to reduce food waste. We squander a lot of food because we buy too much!
5. Solar Energy
Take advantage of the sunshine and put it to good use. If you’re building a van or trying to figure out what kind of van you want, I HIGHLY recommend going solar!
Not only is it free, renewable energy, but it also allows you to camp off the grid while charging your batteries.
Solar panels on your van may appear to be an expensive initial investment (depending on how many you put, it isn’t as awful as you think), but you will save money on charging your van (campsites) while also helping the environment.
Utilize the sun’s energy and store it for later use!
6. Meet the local community
On your sustainable van life experience, there’s a lot you can do to help the local community.
From shopping in tiny, independent stores rather than giant chain stores, to getting coffee (in a recyclable cup!) from an independent cafe rather than a big brand to volunteering and learning about the local history and culture, there’s something for everyone.
More van life ideas and tricks can be found in van life communities on Facebook and Instagram.
7. Try Electric
While electric solutions are limited, they do exist and are becoming increasingly popular. They also avoid using gas entirely, allowing you to travel across the country in an environmentally beneficial manner. Volkswagen will, in fact, introduce an electric minibus in 2022! To see the other electrical vans, check out this blog.
8. Buy Less
Purchase fewer items and obtain fewer possessions. Because there isn’t enough room in a van (mobile home, RV, travel trailer, or vehicle) to store unnecessary stuff, this van life sustainability tip is simple to implement. When you live tiny, you won’t have a lot of storage room, so you’ll be forced to admire things you come across without bringing them home with you. You’ll be engaging in a practice of non-attachment whether you recognize it or not because you simply don’t have room for the things you don’t need. So, make your money go further by investing in long-lasting things and purchasing second hand stuff whenever possible. This helps reduce waste in your van and less waste in the environment.
Being environmentally conscious and sustainable provides possibilities for lifelong learning. It is a responsibility to something greater. We are responsible for considering our activities and how they may affect the land and people around us while traveling through the most beautiful places.
9. Use Less Sim Cards
Sim cards are small chips that are inserted into mobile devices to provide connectivity to a cellular network. One problem with using multiple sim cards is the added cost and inconvenience of purchasing and managing multiple plans. Additionally, having multiple sim cards can also lead to confusion and potential security risks.
One solution to this problem is ConnectPls, an internet connectivity solution that offers mobile hotspot and eSIM capabilities in over 130 countries. This eliminates the need for multiple sim cards and allows for easy management of internet plans while traveling. By using ConnectPls, you can reduce the amount of waste and costs associated with multiple sim cards, while also making it easier to stay connected on-the-go.
Overall, making conscious choices about the items we purchase and use in our daily lives, including the number of sim cards we use, is an important step in being environmentally conscious and sustainable. Additionally, it is our responsibility to consider how our actions may affect the land and people around us while traveling.
Make Sure to Have a Wifi Connection During Your Trips for a More Secure and Comfortable Experience!
Make the most out of your Caravan experience with a smart Wifi Hub for your Motorhome. You don’t need to drill antenna for a stable Wifi connection on the road. Pick a package that fits your needs the most and gets your smart hub right away. Share your 4G speed Wi-fi connection and continue your business without interruption. With the ability to connect up to 8 devices it’s perfect for your family and friends. With the feature of being portable, you can carry along your Wi-Fi to the beach, campsites, trekking, or wherever you wish! Click here to see our plans.