| The main motivation for most RV campers to hit the | | | | paved highways and campground roads. You can help |
| road is the desire to enjoy nature. With that in mind, | | | | preserve our natural wonders by keeping recreational |
| doesn't it make sense that we'd want to do all we | | | | vehicles off unpaved areas. Take along a bike or |
| can to protect the environment? Here's an even | | | | some good hiking shoes; that's the best way to get |
| dozen helpful tips for making your vacation as | | | | out into nature!o Clean Up Your Campsite: Isn't it |
| eco-friendly as possible.o Use Beneficial Bacteria, Not | | | | disappointing to arrive at a campsite filled with the |
| Chemicals, to Treat Waste Tanks: A trend green | | | | last camper's trash? Do you part by leaving your |
| campers should be glad to see is campsites that are | | | | campsite in pristine condition when you leave. The |
| banning chemically treated waste water at waste | | | | next camper will be grateful!o Conserving Water |
| dumps. The traditional waste water chemical | | | | Saves Time for Fun! Who likes to wash dishes on |
| treatments such as formaldehyde may actually be | | | | vacation? Although RV campers actually conserve |
| passed along to local water supplies or leach into soil | | | | water much more than most vacationers due to |
| from campground septic systems, so campers can | | | | smaller supplies and water heaters, you can save |
| keep things green by using bacterial additives rather | | | | even more water by washing dishes once a day. |
| than toxic chemicals to cut odors in waste tanks.o | | | | Keep dirty dishes in a sealed plastic tub to keep |
| Terrapass Carbon Offsets: Before taking off on your | | | | pests away from your trailer.o Clean and Bathe with |
| RV vacation, why not purchase carbon offsets | | | | Green Products: If you're using green products at |
| through Terrapass? This voluntary program puts your | | | | home, why not take them along on vacation? |
| mind at ease that you're doing your part while | | | | Biodegradables make great travel companions. Just |
| enjoying a great vacation.o Heat and Cool "Naturally": | | | | think, you'll be helping the environment no matter |
| RV campers actually use much less energy than their | | | | where you go!o Stay Out of the Water: Lakeside |
| "motel-camping" counterparts! If you'll commit to | | | | campsites are great, but camping right next to a |
| opening those windows to bring in fresh air except in | | | | body of water increases the chance you'll pollute it. |
| the hottest part of the day, and pack plenty of | | | | Choose a campsite a short distance away from |
| blankets for cool nights, you can keep your energy | | | | lakes, rivers or streams to reduce accidental |
| consumption to a minimum while RV camping.o Use | | | | pollution.o Go for Product, Not Packaging: As you |
| Non-Disposables: If you've ever fretted over fast | | | | shop for your trip, keep in mind the amount of |
| food packaging thrown away on vacation, travelling | | | | packaging used on those products. Why buy |
| by RV will be a real bonus! Buy inexpensive | | | | something that requires four layers of packaging |
| unbreakable dishes in different colors, and assign a | | | | when most products have better options? Larger |
| color to each family member. Helps keep things | | | | quantities, refillable bottles, simpler packaging-those |
| straight at campground dinnertimes, and cuts the | | | | are the products to pack. You'll save space, too!o |
| amount of trash you'll produce tremendously.o Slow | | | | Recycle As Much As Possible: Even with the best |
| Down and Enjoy Nature: One of the joys of RV | | | | planning, you're going to have some waste. Plan |
| camping is being able to enjoy the eauty of nature. | | | | space in your RV for recycling containers, and watch |
| Racing down the road (and wasting gas) will make | | | | for recycling stations along your route. |
| you miss nature at its best, so slow things down, try | | | | As promised, we've given you some tips to get you |
| travelling less-travelled two lanes and save gas while | | | | started on green RV camping. Sit down with your |
| enjoying the scenery.o Don't Go Off-Road! RV's | | | | family before your trip and create your own green |
| aren't off-road vehicles! They're made to drive on | | | | camping plan. Now that's real "worry-free" camping! |