Why I Care About Eco-Friendly Hiking & Camping
As someone who works on the front lines of our road networks, I see the consequences of waste every single day.
I’m a motorway maintenance operative with National Highways, and part of my job includes litter picking on some of the UK’s busiest roads. It’s a risky task—we work just feet from live traffic with a limited window of time to clean up before the motorway reopens. And despite our best efforts, the roads are often littered with bottles, plastic wrappers, disposable water bottles, and cans.
If more of these products were biodegradable, reusable, or made from eco-friendly materials, we could focus our time on other critical maintenance tasks, reduce government spending, and most importantly, save lives. It would also benefit the environment and local wildlife, which are often the silent victims of our throwaway culture.
This reality pushed me to rethink how I live, travel, and enjoy the outdoors. It made me more intentional about reducing my own footprint—and inspired me to start this blog and store. If you love hiking or camping and care about the planet, this guide is for you.
The Hidden Cost of Outdoor Adventures
Hiking and camping connect us with nature, but they can unintentionally harm it too.
Every year, tons of waste are left behind on trails and campsites. Disposable gear, plastic packaging, and even things like wet wipes or synthetic clothing leave a lasting mark on the land. This waste pollutes ecosystems, harms wildlife, and disrupts the natural beauty we go outdoors to enjoy.
Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be this way. A growing movement of eco-conscious adventurers is proving that we can enjoy the outdoors while respecting it.
Our Mission: A Greener Way to Explore
This blog is here to help you:
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Understand how your outdoor choices impact the planet
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Learn practical ways to reduce your footprint
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Discover eco-friendly, biodegradable, and reusable products that align with your values
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Feel confident about making sustainable choices, even as a beginner
Whether you’re planning your first wild camp or just upgrading your gear, this guide offers a friendly, non-judgmental place to start.
Getting Started with Eco-Friendly Hiking & Camping
🌿 Leave No Trace: The Basics
The foundation of sustainable outdoor ethics is the Leave No Trace principles. These seven simple guidelines help minimize our impact:
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Plan Ahead and Prepare: Know the regulations and special concerns of the area you’ll visit. Pack reusable, minimal-waste items.
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Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces: Stick to marked trails and designated campsites to avoid damaging plant life.
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Dispose of Waste Properly: Pack out everything you bring, including food scraps and compostable items.
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Leave What You Find: Preserve the past and keep nature intact.
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Minimize Campfire Impact: Use a camping stove or established fire rings; avoid burning plastic or food wrappers.
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Respect Wildlife: Observe from a distance and don’t feed animals.
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Be Considerate of Other Visitors: Keep noise down and yield to others on the trail.
These are not rules, but respectful habits that ensure nature stays wild and beautiful.
🎒 Choosing Sustainable Gear
A big part of low-impact hiking and camping is what you pack. Fortunately, the market for eco-conscious gear is growing fast.
When shopping, look for:
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Recycled or organic materials (e.g., backpacks made from recycled plastic)
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Biodegradable hygiene products
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Reusable over disposable (e.g., water bottles, cutlery, and cooking sets)
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Minimal packaging and low-impact shipping
Recommended Products:
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Recycled Nylon Hiking Backpack
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Lightweight, weather-resistant, and made from 100% recycled nylon.
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Perfect for day hikes or short overnight trips.
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Biodegradable Camping Soap Sheets
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Compact and eco-friendly. Safe for use in freshwater streams.
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Plastic-free packaging.
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Reusable Bamboo Utensil Set
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Includes fork, knife, spoon, chopsticks, straw, and a cleaning brush in a canvas pouch.
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Durable, zero waste, and perfect for on-the-go meals.
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These dropship-friendly items can easily be added to your Shopify store, offering value to your readers while aligning with your brand values.
⛺ Selecting Eco-Friendly Campsites
Where and how you camp matters. Here’s how to reduce your footprint:
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Use designated campsites: These are designed to limit impact.
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Camp at least 200 feet from lakes and streams: Protect water sources from contamination.
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Avoid fragile environments: Skip alpine meadows, wetlands, or newly restored areas.
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Limit your group size: Smaller groups cause less damage.
Always research the area’s guidelines and obtain any necessary permits. If you’re wild camping, keep it discreet, respectful, and temporary.
🥗 Eating Sustainably on the Trail
Outdoor meals don’t need to come with single-use waste. Here are some easy ways to reduce your camping meal footprint:
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Pack homemade trail mix in reusable silicone bags
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Use beeswax wraps for sandwiches
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Bring collapsible food containers
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Choose plant-based or vegan dehydrated meals
Opting for minimally processed, plant-based meals has the added benefit of reducing your carbon footprint.
🚫 Avoid These Common Mistakes
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Single-use plastics: Avoid disposable cutlery, water bottles, and packaged snacks.
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Overpacking: The more you carry, the more waste you risk generating.
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Ignoring local rules: Not all wilderness areas allow open fires, wild camping, or certain types of waste disposal.
Final Thoughts: Let’s Hike With Purpose
Starting your eco hiking and camping journey doesn’t mean being perfect. It’s about being thoughtful, informed, and committed to improvement.
By choosing biodegradable, reusable, and eco-friendly options, you’re not only protecting the planet—you’re also helping to reduce waste in everyday places like motorways, city parks, and rural trails.
I hope this guide helps you take the first step toward more mindful outdoor adventures. Subscribe to the blog for gear reviews, guides, and updates on the latest sustainable products in the shop.
Let’s walk lighter together.