July 2009: Eco Friendly Camping
Nearly 6% of Britons holidaying in the UK in 2005 stayed in a tent and 18% of families have been camping in the last three years according to a recent report. I love camping and have a few tips for having fun and reducing your carbon footprint. I’d also like to share my favourite green family campsites.
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Use public transport as much as possible – check out traveline.org.uk for directions, timetables and more.
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Choose a campsite with eco credentials and good recycling facilities. If your campsite doesn’t have these facilities, take your rubbish and recycle at home.
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Buy local products and services as much as possible - see bigbarn.co.uk for details of local farm shops and more. This not only supports the local community but also means that your purchases haven’t been shipped to the UK emitting vast amounts of CO2
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Stick to trails when walking or cycling – enjoy nature, do not invade it.
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Regulate your water consumption – reuse it where possible.
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Buy yourself a wind up torch or lantern – not only does it avoid using batteries but it means you will never be left in the dark.
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Instead of a normal camping stove, invest in Green Heat (www.greenheat.co.uk), a cooking stove which doesn’t produce any toxic fumes. Alternatively, use open fires where permissible.
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Look for a campsite that uses renewable energy sources such as wind or solar power. See organicholidays.co.uk for more ideas.
Environmentally friendly campsites include:
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Deepdale Farm, Norfolk
Choose from a tipi, yurt or room at the eco hostel at this quiet friendly north Norfolk cost campsite.
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Melissa Corkhill is editor of The Green Parent magazine and author of two books on green living. She lives in rural Sussex surrounded by woodland and wildlife and is passionate about environmental issues.