Zero Waste Swaps and Habits for Outdoor Recreation
I know I may be a little late this summer, but I personally spend all year outdoors and you can always come back to this post in the future if you're just a summer adventurer. And, don't worry, this post isn't just for backpackers but this is for day hikes, days on the lake, fishers, bikers, and any other outdoor activity you can think of!
Getting outdoors is meant to connect us to nature and we should also do so through our actions and the things we bring with us. We shouldn't go outdoors just to create more waste. So, let's dive into some zero-waste essentials for your outdoor activities as well as some zero-waste habits I use when I go camping, hiking, backpacking, and biking.
ZERO WASTE SWAPS
Let's first talk about my backpacking essentials that help me reduce waste when on the trail:
Kula cloth & Other Eco Toilet paper
This is a reusable pee cloth. I know, it might sound kinda gross, but it's not! It's microfiber and woven with silver to reduce germs and smell. It's also very easy to wash at a campground, in a bathroom, or in a stream if need be. You're supposed to pack out toilet paper but you can also bury it in some areas. I like to reduce this as much as possible (to reduce how much I'm carrying and wasting), so that's where Kula comes in! I'm a long-time user and big-time lover of this cloth. It's discrete, easy to use, and I have never had issues with smell. Not to mention, it's machine washable when you get home from your adventures (see how discrete it looks in the photo below)!
But, if you're not into that, try bamboo or recycled TP like this one from Who Gives a Crap
I personally like recycled just cause supporting the recycling industry is one of the best ways we can support recycling efforts as individuals. Why do you need TP when you go outside? You never know when you may need to go, so I always try to pack some with me (along with a small trowel to dig a hole, I got this all-metal one from REI). And, if you go on overnight trips, you know this is almost always a necessity, so, make it more eco by using recycled or bamboo TP. You can learn more about why this is important in this video.
Kinfield bug spray and sunscreen
It's hard to be perfectly zero waste, meaning it's hard to find a sunscreen/bug spray that has the perfect ingredients, perfect packaging, and works perfectly. That's why I like Kinfield. Their packaging is plastic, so not perfect, but it is commonly recyclable plastic. Their ingredients are good for the planet yet still work amazingly! They also have sample sizes you can try before you commit to a full size. The samples are also perfect for keeping down the weight in your backpack ;)
Stasher bags & Other Bags
I'm a big fan of Stasher Bags for day hikes and camping, but not so much for backpacking cause they are a bit bulky and can get heavy when you're carrying a weekend's worth of food in them. But, their durability, waste-free option is perfect for day adventures! Plus, they're so versatile and can easily be machine washed when you get home.
So, for those trips, I need something less bulky but just as eco, so I opt for HoldOn compostable zipper bags
I even wash and reuse them until I can no longer do so then just throw them in my Lomi for composting. These are significantly lighter than stasher bags and weights like this add up in a backpack for a multi-day trip. I also like that they are more compact meaning I can carry more meals with me and stay out in the woods longer. They're also quite durable!
Nalgene & Klean Kanteen water bottles
Wait, I'm recommending a plastic water bottle? How dare I?! Well, as a backpacker, I'm always thinking about the weight of what I'm carrying and a Nalgene versus a metal water bottle is so much lighter. That's really what it comes down to. I love my Nalgene and use it for so much. Plus, I don't want to take my nice metal bottle out in the woods and get it damaged or ruined, so this is exclusively for outdoor activities and she sure is beat up.
But, if you want a metal water bottle, go for Klean Kanteen as they are 100% plastic free!
Maybe you're not a backpacker focused so much on the weight of your pack and still need a good water bottle, check out Klean Kanteen! Some of their bottles are entirely plastic-free, they're all very durable, made from recycled materials, keep stuff cold or hot for hours, and are easy to clean. Definitely a more eco option to a Stanley Cup or Hydro Flask with all the aesthetics.
Plaine Products refillable hand sani
We always take hand sanitizer with us when hiking and backpacking, mostly for after we go to the "bathroom." We've been loving our refillable one from Plaine Products. Once done, send them the old container and they will refill it. It's not the lightest option we could find, but I'll personally sacrifice a few ounces to reduce a ton of waste.
Menstrual cup/disc
My fav is from Saalt and you can get it on REI
Folks who get periods, this is for you! I'm an avid period underwear user as you can see from this playlist on YouTube, but they're not super comfy when hiking and getting sweaty. Thankfully for you, REI sells my favorite brand, Saalt. I am a menstrual disc person since I have a low cervix but both work excellently and can reduce so much waste in general, but again when outside, you want to carry and dispose of as little as possible so this is an amazing swap! Check out my full review here.
Reusable tampons?!
That’s right, organic tampons with a reusable applicator from Dame
But, as someone who backpacked in the desert for a year, water is not always in large supply. I didn't always have enough water to wash a menstrual cup/disc so I swapped to Dame tampons. It's a reusable applicator with organic cotton tampons so the waste is minimal and it takes up so much less room! Check out my full review here.
Shop recycled materials
from REI and other brands!
When possible, opt for recycled materials like the recycled Klean Kanteen we already talked about or one of my other favorites, my Patagonia puffy made with recycled plastic. I did a quick search for "Recycled" on REI and found so many fun options from flip flops to gloves, sleeping bags, and more!
I also LOVE Girlfriend Collective. I really love their bras and underwear as they are athletic but more eco since they are recycled! They also make sweats, leggings, tees, and more, really, whatever clothing you need for your outdoor adventures made eco-friendly yet still comfortable, durable, and practical for getting sweaty.
Shop other eco materials
Things like Tencel (made from trees), cotton, or hemp from brands like Tentree, I love their athleisure clothing and in particular their t-shirts are great for lounging or going outside. Or, simply when browsing for new outdoor gear, look at the materials mindfully and opt for something that's more eco-conscious than plastic AKA Polyester.
Check out the REI Re-sale!
Now, you do have to be a member, but to be an REI member, it's only $30 one time, what a deal! As a member, you get money back every year and access to their re-sale, aka their second-hand shop. I've gotten so many great items here like my pack, our stove, my sleeping bags, my favorite sweatshirt, both of our tents, and more.
You can also shop for gear second-hand without the $30 fee on places like Facebook Marketplace (where Dan got his day pack), OfferUp (where I got MY day pack), eBay, TreadUp, Depop, and more! Always try checking second-hand first.
I will never not recommend my e-bike from Aventon
Bikers, this is for you! Looking for an e-bike? Look no further than Aventon. We've had ours for a year now and they have taken us through Yosemite, around Vegas, around Spokane, get our groceries, and more. They have adventure bikes and commuter bikes alike and I'm in LOVE! I love biking to commute and don't always want to work up a sweat going to work. Check out my full review here.
Nomadix recycled towels
These lightweight towels are perfect for outdoor adventures AND are made from recycled plastic. We take ours on every trip in case we wanna lounge or take a dip in a lake or Denahi gets messy. It's perfect for so many things and is SO compact and light. Here is what it looks like compared to a normal towel of the same size. Definitely a must-have this summer!
GOT BAG
They have recycled backpacks that are also waterproof, perfect for outdoor adventures. I use this for our climbing gear and groceries mostly but have also taken it on a few day hikes. I love how much it holds without being extremely big and ir durable yet comfortable.
Not into hiking? Get your eco-friendly sports equipment at Eco Sports instead!
Maybe your summer is more focused on kickball or football or other sporting events. Eco sports has everything else you may need from soccer to basketball to volleyball, pickleball, and more! They focus on durability as well as recyclability which is not common in sporting equipment, so check them out!
I LOVE Allbirds' sports socks
They're thin and comfy for activities like walking and running. They're moisture-wicking, comfortable, and feel great while I'm out and about. They also have eco-friendly running shoes I have yet to try but always hear great things about.
Darn Tough
But my favorite hiking socks that are thick, wool, stink less, and keep me nice and warm is Darn Tough. I also love that they have a lifetime warranty and recycle their old socks. I get mine from REI.
ZERO WASTE HABITS
Let me know your favorite zero waste swaps for outdoor rec down below! But, for now, let's get into the habits I use to make hiking, backpacking, and general outdoor fun more eco-friendly.
Make my own meals
For day hikes, this looks like making salads or sandwiches and packing them in reusable containers vs buying pre-made sandwiches in non-recyclable packaging.
For backpacking, this looks like carefully curating meals and dehydrating everything myself. It's time-consuming and there is some waste involved but significantly less than pre-made backpacking meals. Not to mention, they're so expensive! This saves so much money and I can then control the ingredients. This is super helpful too as plant-based eaters, now we have more options! Plus, they pack down so much smaller meaning we can also carry more and stay out longer.
Bonus tip, I also reuse the bags I put the meals in to make more meals in the future!
Bulk snacks
My favorite day hike snacks are fruit, they're easy, zero waste, and can often be purchased package free. Be sure to pack out your food scraps though, never litter them! While we're here, don't purposefully feed wildlife either!
My other favorite snacks for hiking or backpacking are snacks in the bulk bins are WinCo, Sprouts, or Huckleberry's. Things like veggie chips, chocolate-covered raisins or almonds, trail mix, granola, dried fruits, and more. Alternatively, if you don't have a bulk store, you can just buy the largest portion of something. For example, I often see small, ready-to-go packs of things like nuts. Instead, buy a larger bag and portion them out at home in reusable containers!
Pack it in, pack it out
I hope if you're watching this, this goes without saying: don't litter. But as I briefly mentioned, don't litter your food waste either. Will it decompose? Maybe eventually. But not always in the environment you're in (I'm looking at you, desert). But in the meantime, animals may eat it and get sick. I could literally talk about the importance of this for 20 whole minutes so if you want a full video on not littering food waste, let me know!
Only camp in existing campsites
It's best not to erode more land than need be, so camp in existing campsites. This looks like a patch of dirt or worn-out grass. Not things like a meadow. Preserve plants!
Speaking of, stick to the trails!
Don't go off trail unless absolutely necessary, such as going to the bathroom. Other than that, stay on the trail. Don't walk around puddles, this widens the trail. Don't cut switchbacks, this causes erosion. And when you do have to walk off trail, avoid walking on plants!
Use bear cans and bear boxes
Back to not feeding wildlife, keep food away from bears. Feeding bears can make them aggressive leading to their euthanization, and no one wants to be responsible for that. When you're hiking/backpacking, use bear cans, preferably not bear bags. Most authorities these days recommend the cans since bears can climb trees to get the bags. When at a campground, use the bear boxes they provide. This is for your safety, the safety of those around you, and for the bears.
Follow general Leave No Trace Rules
I talked about the most important ones, I think, but check out my full video on the principles of LNT. In short, these rules are:
1. Plan and prepare ahead
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces (stick to the trails)
3. Dispose of your waste properly (trash, food, and human/dog waste)
4. Leave what you find
5. Be careful with fire
6. Respect wildlife
7. Respect others
Speaking of forest fires, here are my quick tips to preventing them in this video.
Carpool or take public transport to the trailhead
Hiking with friends? Take fewer cars if possible! Or, maybe your city offers buses or trains to or near the trailhead, try that, too! Try to think outside the box of driving a large car with just one or two people in it.
Bring a bag to pick up trash
Don't just dispose of your trash, pick up trash that you see and leave the trail better than you found it! I like to bring a reused grocery or bread bag and pick up what I see, hopefully not a ton.
That's all that I have for now, leave your zero waste habits for outdoor rec down below and maybe I can make a part 2 next summer!
How do you live zero waste outdoors?
Thanks for reading along, as always, remember that your small actions make a big difference in the long run :)
