Keeping a low-waste lifestyle is also important when hiking. Traditional hiking gear often includes lightweight plastic items. These overlook environmental health. As hikers, we look for new ways to hike sustainably. This helps lessen our impact on nature.
In this piece, I will share eight sustainable tips to change your hiking game. We will look at zero-waste gear and items that are good for the earth. Each suggestion helps cut down on plastic use in the wild.
About 60% of this text focuses on sustainable gear advice. This makes your hikes fun and eco-friendly. We’ll cover smart food tips and suggest green storage solutions like Stasher bags and beeswax wraps. You’ll learn why reusable items, such as bear canisters, are key for food safety outdoors.
Small actions, like choosing menstrual cups over disposables, make a big difference. And eco-friendly gear doesn’t have to be inconvenient. For example, TrailFork offers trail meals in compostable packages. It’s about picking wisely and caring for the earth. Together, we can move towards a greener future.
The Importance of Reducing Plastic in Hiking
Heading out on trails like the 2,653-mile-long Pacific Crest Trail requires attention to our environmental footprint. Many hikers who live a zero-waste life at home still use plastic on their treks. This shows a need to rethink how we enjoy the outdoors.
Being sustainable on hikes isn’t just trendy; it’s vital for protecting nature. By cutting down on plastic, we make a big difference. Switching to items like bamboo toothbrushes and compostable bags shows we’re serious about saving the environment.
The “Six R’s” mantra—Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repair—is key when preparing for hikes. A perfect example is a zero-waste journey on the Pacific Crest Trail. Hikers bought 90% of their food in bulk, choosing oats and nuts to avoid plastic.
Some think you can’t pack light and be eco-friendly, but that’s not true. Brands like Livbar offer lightweight, sustainable food options. Avoiding things like Ziploc bags and single-use snacks also cuts back on plastic.
Adopting sustainable habits impacts our trips and the planet positively. Every action matters, from picking a stainless steel water bottle to packing food in reusable containers. Let’s pledge to use less plastic and keep our trails beautiful.
Sustainable Food and Snack Storage Options
Using reusable containers and bags for food storage is green and reduces plastic waste. It helps keep your food fresh and safe while protecting the environment. This way, you enjoy snacks and meals without harming nature.
Reusable Containers and Bags
Reusable items are essential for a zero-waste lifestyle. Brands like ReZip, Lunchskins, and Abeego offer great alternatives to plastic. These options are perfect for storing snacks like nuts and dried fruits without polluting.
Stainless steel containers are another good choice. They’re strong, light, and don’t rust, making them ideal for outdoor adventures. Also, beeswax wraps and silicone bags help keep food fresh. Beeswax wraps work well for wrapping a variety of foods. Silicone bags, like those from Stasher, are durable and easy to maintain.
Buying in Bulk
Buying food in bulk for hiking means less packaging waste. It lets you take just what you need, like trail mix or dried fruits, reducing trash. Plan your meals ahead and pack them in reusable containers to save space and cut down on waste.
Choosing eco-friendly storage and zero-waste snacks makes hiking more sustainable. It helps keep natural areas clean and beautiful for everyone to enjoy in the future.
Eco-Friendly Water Bottles and Filters
Getting ready for a hike? Think about reducing plastic waste. The right water bottle and filter can make a big difference. They offer both ease and eco-friendliness. Let’s explore options that are good for the planet.
Stainless-Steel Water Bottles
Stainless-steel bottles are a top choice for avoiding plastic. Brands like EcoTanka lead with strong, recyclable bottles. They’re perfect for keeping water cool and are long-lasting.
Though they weigh more at 300 grams, their environmental benefit is clear. Nalgene provides a lighter BPA-free bottle, weighing 176 grams. It’s still better than using disposable plastic.
Water Filters to Consider
Choosing a water filter for hikes is key. Avoid bottles like Smart Water because they’re not great for the environment. LifeStraw’s stainless-steel filter cuts out the need for plastic. It’s a green and efficient choice.
Another great option is the Steri-Pen USB rechargeable filter. It’s perfect for travelers who want a dependable, plastic-free way to purify water.
How to Reduce Plastic Use on Hikes: Gear Tips
Adopting low-waste hiking practices helps protect the environment. It matches a minimalist lifestyle too. By picking sustainable outdoor gear, we cut down on plastic. Over 34 million hikers hit America’s trails in 2018, says the American Hiking Society. This shows more people love being outdoors.
Since 35% of ocean microplastics come from synthetic clothes, choosing recycled materials matters. Brands like Patagonia and REI focus on sustainability. They make low-waste hiking gear. By selecting these products, we help the environment and push for eco-friendly habits. Camping gear sales went up 25% in late 2020, showing Americans value nature more.
Buying reusable items, like BPA-free bottles, reduces plastic waste. A study says reusable bottles can save millions from trash. Use multi-purpose tools too. San Francisco International Airport stopped selling plastic water bottles in 2019. It encourages sustainable travel. The CamelBak MultiBev bottle is a top pick for eco-conscious hikers.
Consider borrowing or renting gear to avoid buying too much. Sharing reduces the need for new stuff and promotes community outdoors. By choosing wisely, supporting green brands, and using reusable items, we keep our landscapes beautiful.
Choosing Sustainable Clothing and Footwear
Choosing eco-friendly hiking clothes and shoes helps cut our environmental footprint. Sustainable choices matter more than ever today. Thankfully, several brands are leading with new, green methods.
Recycled and Upcycled Materials
Patagonia uses 100% recycled polyester in their fleece vests. This process uses less energy and water. Tentree makes rain jackets from 24 recycled plastic bottles. Dedicated focuses on organic, fair trade cotton for socks. Happy Earth Apparel even plants trees for each purchase.
Recycled hiking gear reduces waste and makes outdoor activities greener. By picking items made from recycled stuff, we support recycling in fashion. This initiative gives old materials a second chance outdoors.
The Circular Economy
The idea of a circular economy is key to cutting waste and improving sustainability. Tripulse offers shorts that meet high eco-standards with Climate Neutral Certification. Finisterre has warm hoodies made of recycled polyester designed to last.
Girlfriend Collective offers sizes from 2XS to 6XL in hooded puffers made with recycled materials and safe dyes. Superstainable makes jackets with 95% recycled polyester. Opting for such brands moves us toward a world where fashion causes less harm. It lets us pick clothes that don’t waste resources.
Finding Plastic-Free Personal Care and Hygiene Products
Looking for plastic-free hygiene items for hiking is key. We need to use eco-friendly toiletries that lower waste. Start by choosing biodegradable soap. Brands like Dr. Bronner’s are great because they are good for the environment and work well for hiking. Also, use sunscreens that don’t hurt the planet. Products from All Good and Badger Balm come in recyclable or biodegradable packages.
For zero-waste care, reusable options are best. I bring GoToob and Nalgene mini bottles with me. They’re filled with eco-friendly soap and natural bug spray. These bottles can be refilled and used again. Plus, I use a stainless steel safety razor from Merkur. It cuts down on plastic since you don’t throw the razor heads away.
- Toilet Paper: Choose bamboo and sugarcane toilet paper like Pure Planet or join bulk buying groups for brands like Who Gives A Crap, focusing on sustainability.
- Shaving: A stainless steel safety razor lasts long and is better for the environment.
- Cotton Tips: Bamboo stick cotton tips can be turned into compost, thus reducing waste.
- Deodorant: Making your own deodorant with ingredients bought in bulk means no plastic packaging.
- Hand Wash: Use bar soap without packaging to clean your hands without plastic.
- Moisturizer: Coconut oil from bulk or glass jars is a natural, waste-free choice.
- Menstrual Hygiene: Menstrual cups and special underwear are reusable, cutting down on trash.
- Sunscreen: Buying sunscreen in big bottles is more efficient and reduces waste.
- Insect Repellent: Natural repellent in tin containers is effective and eco-friendly.
- Laundry: Washing powder bought in bulk and natural cleaners like eucalyptus oil help avoid plastic.
- All-Purpose Cleaner: You can clean many surfaces with homemade kombucha vinegar.
Using these eco-friendly products matches the Leave No Trace principles. It makes sure we protect nature’s beauty for everyone. Being mindful of waste during hikes makes the experience better. It also ensures the great outdoors will still be there for others to enjoy later.
Conclusion
The path to using less plastic while hiking is crucial for protecting our beautiful natural landscapes. We’ve looked at ways to reduce our mark on nature. This includes choosing durable gear, refillable bottles, green water solutions, and plastic-free care products. Making these swaps shows we care about the environment and understand the power of our actions.
When we pick sustainable hiking gear, it does more than lessen our impact on the outdoors. It also encourages everyone to think more about living sustainably. Opting for items like metal water bottles and bamboo straws can greatly reduce plastic waste. These careful selections help keep the places we love beautiful and intact.
By embracing greener hiking habits, we kickstart a bigger change towards eco-friendly outdoor activities. It’s about enjoying nature today and preserving it for others tomorrow. Let’s keep choosing wisely for the sake of our planet. Every sustainable choice we make helps protect the precious natural areas we all adore.
