Camping is an adventure into nature. It would be best to camp in an eco-friendly way. But how can you do that with unsustainable camping gear?
Are tents environmentally friendly? What materials of the tent are eco-friendly?
The materials of your tent determine the answer. Most of the tents are made of nylon or polyester, which are non-recyclable.
On the other hand, you can choose canvas, cotton, Dyneema, or cardboard tents. These materials are biodegradable and do not harm the ecosystem.
The following article will provide you with a detailed answer. Let’s check it out!
Types Of Tents That Are Environmentally Friendly?
There are a few ways to classify tents. However, since the environmental impact focuses on the materials, we will divide tents by their fabric.
Some of the most eco-friendliest materials for tents are cardboard, cotton, canvas, and Dyneema. Let’s have a look at the details of the materials.
Cardboard
Cardboard is one of the best environmentally friendly materials. Compared with other sources, its production results in a 60% reduction in CO2 and oil pollution.
This material is entirely recyclable and biodegradable. After one year, the corrugated cardboard dissolves entirely.
Cardboard tents have just been around for a few recent years. The cardboard enables the tent to be easily recycled.
You can take a touring tent straight to the paper recycling sector after the camping excursion. As a result, you’ll be able to reuse your tent to create new things.
However, cardboard seems not to be a good option for camping so far away from your home. If you plan to camp on hostile terrain or under harsh weather conditions, the cardboard may collapse.
Cotton
Cotton is a renewable, biodegradable, and sustainable fabric ideal for use in environmentally friendly products.
Cotton is a flexible fabric to make everything from clothing to tents. It also combines nicely with other materials, resulting in unique fabric combinations.
Organic cotton is typically less damaging to the environment than conventional cotton because organic cotton doesn’t utilize pesticides.
However, traditional cotton’s present production techniques are frequently rather ecologically unsustainable.
If you want to buy a cotton tent, go for the organic one.
Dyneema
Dyneema has the least environmental impact for every unit strength of any high-performance fabric.
Renewable energy sources account for 75% of the power generation needed in the production of Dyneema fiber.
Thanks to advanced technology, Dyneema manufacturers have upgraded the material in terms of environmental impact and durability.
Dyneema tents are increasingly common for eco-friendly campers as a result.
In the future, Dyneema products may get more attention if more campers experience and post positive reviews.
Canvas
Canvas tents are not new among experienced campers. This solid and durable material will offer you a robust shelter that can stand under any weather.
Moreover, an eco-friendly camper loves canvas tents because they are waterproof and UV resistant.
No matter when you camp, a canvas tent must be an ideal sidekick.
Canvas is indeed a renewable resource since it comes from plants. This feature allows for the production of as many canvas items as necessary.
Canvas is also biodegradable and tough enough to last for many years.
How To Make A Tent Environmentally Friendly?
Typical tents made from synthetic and ecologically damaging materials ruin the environment. Instead, you can use a sustainable tent to achieve a better result.
Here are four different tips to make and choose an environmentally friendly tent.
Tents made of organic or natural fabrics
Tents constructed of natural fibers such as hemp, wool, or cotton are the most environmentally friendly. A hemp or cotton teepee, a woolen dome, or a cotton-walled military tent are all options for camping outside.
When using these tents, as long as the textiles are organic, you can leave little or no residue behind.
There are certain disadvantages to using these tents. They may be highly costly.
Unless the tents are waterproof, they can’t hold up well in wet environments.
Finally, they might be troublesome to carry.
If you don’t intend on changing your campground or carrying the tent around too much, these natural materials can make fantastic green tents.
Tents made of recyclable and recycled materials
Tents constructed of synthetic materials have been more common than tents built of natural materials. There are some reasons for this tendency.
Synthetic tents, for example, offer better protection in rainy weather. The second advantage is that these tents are considerably lighter than ones made of natural material.
Nevertheless, some tent manufacturers have begun to follow the eco-friendly way by using recyclable and recycled fabrics. The material can be recycled polyester treated with solvent-free finishes to keep them waterproof.
Because their producers have opted not to utilize hazardous colors, most of these tents are only white.
Most of them come with DAC poles, which are recyclable aluminum and free of toxic chemicals.
If you’re looking for a green tent that is both water-resistant and lightweight, search for tents constructed from reusable and recyclable components.
Old tents
People frequently purchase new tents when their old ones start to fade. Their tents occasionally have tears and rips that they don’t know how to fix.
When a little effort and time might save them cash and minimize waste, they throw their tents trash.
You may save and reuse those old tents if you don’t mind the patches and are willing to mend rips and tears.
If you know someone who is about to purchase a new tent, ask them to leave the old one for you. As a result, you may help cut down the amount of waste in the landfills while also helping to remove pollutants.
DIY tents
You can make your shelter if you love DIY crafts or know someone that does. You may create eco-friendly tents with any fabrics you like.
You may make your tent out of old curtains and bamboo rods. Alternatively, you can innovate with whatever materials you have on hand.
Some Of The Environmentally Friendly Tents?
Eco-friendly tents are popular these days. We recommend some models that are both eco-friendly and durable for your camping trips.
Nemo Galaxi Tent
The watertight footprint with seam-sealed rain fly offers excellent protection, particularly during rainy days. As a result, this tent is ideal for camping in any season.
For additional safety, Nemo Galaxy comes with a complete footprint. Its two vestibules and two entrances allow campers to enter and exit easily.
Ventilation is never an issue, thanks to the staggering vents in the flap, which can provide a steady airflow even in severe conditions.
The pre-bent poles guarantee that clients have as much livable area as possible when camping.
This tent is quick and straightforward to set up. You will find it easy to assemble and disassemble within a few minutes.
The product from Nemo Galaxi is both human and environmentally beneficial since it is free of chemical ingredients. You can inhale pure air when inside. The NEMO permanent warranty ensures its reliability.
Vaude Eco Tent
This tent will actually be helpful if you’re a light hiker who appreciates comfort and flexibility. It’s simple to implement with two huge doors.
The tent is freestanding, which is ideal for when it begins to rain right away.
The Vaude Eco Tent with PVC-free materials is the ultimate pick for a sustainable style. Its material is also a water-resistant fabric that poses no threat to the ecosystem.
The curving edges at the fly sheet’s floor allow excellent air circulation. Despite the climate, the weather-proof ventilation holes let you breathe freely.
The ventilation stays hidden. Even stormy weather cannot ruin your adventure.
The space is well-organized. It features a large area where you may easily rest your head. It’s spacious and roomy, giving you the finest chance to discover the wilderness.
Deerfamy Eco Tent
If you camp in a group, the Deerfamy tent is a good choice since up to four people can get in there.
The Deerfamy camping tent has an environmentally friendly material and metal poles. If you need a tent that can endure any weather conditions, this is a fantastic sustainable alternative.
Because of its huge capacity and solid structure, this eco-friendly tent completes your camping experience.
Exceptional craftsmanship has constructed the tent. You won’t be complaining about its zippers getting stuck, thanks to the velcro setup.
Furthermore, the zippers can resist the hard camping situations, ensuring that they will not collapse and leave you exposed to the cold.
You can get out and in with the two doors on the sides. You may also simply keep your belongings with multiple vestibules.
Because many campers worry about waterlogging, the seams of this camping tent are double-stitched to achieve optimal waterproofing.
You will not get wet when camping with this Deerfamy tent. Double fabric covering adds to the protection by guaranteeing that no water seeps through.
Other Eco-Friendly Camping Gear And Accessories
Aside from the tent, you can prepare some other sustainable camping gear and accessories for your eco-friendly camping.
Sleeping bag
The next thing to include in your eco-friendly camping gear is the sleeping bag.
You’ll need a sleeping bag even if you’re traveling in the winter or summer. Depending on how chilly the weather is, you may want one for each period, or you may be able to utilize the same all year round.
The sleeping bag comes in different materials. Remember to choose the environmentally friendly one.
Sleeping mat
If you do not need a sleeping bag, you can use the sleeping mat instead.
Vaude offers self-inflatable and sustainable sleeping mats. You can go for them if you want to protect your sleep while sleeping. The inflatability also helps you rest with comfort.
Cooler
You may also want to pack a cooler in your camping gear.
If you intend to carry food with you, you’ll need a cooler to store it and also keep your drinks cold.
A hard plastic one is durable. You can reuse the cooler for all your camping tips.
It’s pointless to carry a cooler if you forget to pack ice blocks. If you’re staying at a campground, ask them to put your ice blocks in the freezer for you.
Reusable storage bags for food
Packing food in plastic bags seems to be convenient. However, you are planning a sustainable trip. Choose the reusable bags instead.
Besides, try to bring reusable water bottles as well. A reusable bottle is an essential eco-friendly camping item to add to your checklist.
If you can access safe water, choose one that maintains the water temperature, so you don’t wind up with hot water in the summertime or supercooled water in the winter.
Wooden or Canvas camping chairs
Camping chairs are essential, especially when you camp in fine weather. Sitting on a chair and enjoying the campfire is one of the best camping experiences ever.
You can choose chairs made of eco-friendly materials, such as canvas or wood. Both of them are lightweight and durable to carry.
Folding, camping picnic table
A camping table can complete your sustainable camping gear.
Just like chairs, a folding table brings you many benefits. Some picnic tables are available in recycled materials. Pick one and pack it along with you whenever you camp.
Eco-friendly travel essentials
You have many options for eco-friendly travel essentials, from toiletries to clothes.
Toiletries
Many campers end up purchasing shampoo in travel-size to save space in their luggage. The problem is that you’re purchasing more plastic. These travel-size products aren’t great for the environment.
Luckily, some environmentally friendly toiletries take up less room.
Here are some toiletry ideas for your sustainable camping gear.
- Shampoo bar: A shampoo bar can last for a long time and is a simple method to decrease plastic waste.
If you’re buying soap, be sure it doesn’t come in plastic containers. It should be fine if it comes with cellophane because it is biodegradable.
- Toothpaste: You may buy a little glass container of toothpaste for yourself. It’s light and doesn’t come in plastic packaging.
- Toothbrush: If you’re going to purchase plastic-free toothpaste, make sure you also acquire a bamboo toothbrush.
Clothes
Eco-friendly clothes are undoubtedly one of the greatest things to buy for the camp. In the summer, cotton outfits, linen pants, and floppy hats are all the rage.
Instead of regular old cotton, which is frequently quite damaging to the environment, seek organic cotton.
Bamboo linen, linen, wool, and hemp are other eco-friendly clothing fabrics to search for.
First aid kit
Don’t get too obsessed with the tent or food and forget that you are going outside. There are always potential dangers. You need to prepare a first aid kit in your outdoor gear in case of injuries.
Other Ways For An Eco Camping Trip?
Preparing sustainable camping gear is essential to have eco camping trips. Besides, there are some other ways to protect the environment while camping.
Zero waste
When festival-goers leave their garbage in the environment, it disrupts the ecology.
First and foremost, animals and bugs may get attracted to organic garbage, which is not their regular diet. If they consume your trash, their diet goes wrong, and so does the natural food cycle.
Furthermore, the trash may induce illness and behavior changes, throwing the entire ecology in which these bugs and animals live out of whack.
You won’t be able to have an utterly waste-free camping trip. You can, however, come as near as possible.
Carrying a spare bag for any garbage you carry back to the trash bin is a brilliant idea.
Campfires: Yes or No?
The best part of camping is the campfires! However, they may not always be safe.
You need to check the regulations for campfires in your area. If you light a campfire during the dry period, things might go wrong.
If you’re going to start a fire, create a ring of stones surrounding it to keep it controlled. Yet, keep it at least four to five meters away from trees, tents, and shrubs in the event of wind. It will damage the environment that way.
Ensure that there’s always somebody watching over the fire, both when it is burning and off.
Prepare organic food
Every eco-friendly effort can start before you go on the next camping trip. One of the best ways to prepare for your hiking trips is by buying organic food.
Organic farming is considerably more environmentally beneficial than regular farming.
Fertilizers and pesticides, both synthetic and natural, are present in the conventional method. Natural, organic produced food, on the other hand, always follows the biological approach.
When you’re in the supermarket, think about how much food you’ll need for your hiking trips.
Besides, you can try DIY food. This method makes you more eco-friendly and health-conscious since you need the necessary ingredients in your food.
Rent tents and gear
If you just camp one in a while, don’t buy tons of camping gear and leave a huge garbage mass in the environment.
You can rent them instead. Remember to opt for sustainable equipment.
Check the campsite before you leave
Double-check that there is no waste behind before you leave the site.
On campsites, you can even check around to see whether your friends have already gone. They may have overlooked something and left rubbish behind. While you’re still there, pick it up.
The Bottom Line: Are Tents Sustainable Camping Gear?
You have multiple choices when it comes to eco-friendly camping trips.
If you want to protect the environment, choose recycled materials, such as canvas, Dyneema, cotton, cardboard, and some more.
Aside from buying sustainable tents, you can also purchase other eco-friendly camping gear to save the ecosystem.
Another ultimate rule while camping is zero waste. Don’t let the campsite suffer from your garbage.
Hopefully, you will pick up the right tent for your adventure. If you need any further information, please feel free to ask. Thank you for reading!
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