It’s been a while since I’ve talked about our family RV trips, but that’s only because we’ve let the RV rest in the yard for quite some time as we got carried away with our daily lives, and faced the uncertainty of 2020 marked by the pandemic and lockdowns.

Even though the boys did surprisingly well under the circumstances of online classes and no hangouts with friends, time has come that as a family we’ve had enough of home, mixing and baking all sorts of breads and pastries as the baking enthusiasts we are.

We need to hit the road again, spend time alone in nature and cut down those calories we’ve accumulated thus far. As we’re waiting to see how things will unfold regarding COVID-19 restrictions, we’re on the mission to prepare for the next RV trip, whenever and wherever that may be. It’s the perfect time to get our minds off the daily woes and start packing. Here’s what we’ve covered so far:

Gathered Essentials for Sustainable Adventures

As a mum of two boys, it’s very important to me to leave them the legacy of caring for the environment. This is why together with my husband we use every chance we get to turn our lifestyle as sustainable as possible, from shopping in bulk to sustainable gardening at home.

Of course, we wouldn’t let trips to nature be an exception. To be able to achieve this, we implemented the strategy of the “R’s” consisting of recharge, reuse, repurpose, recycle, all sorted out in separate bags.

Recharge

Usually, people start this strategy with “reduce” but we transformed ours to “recharge” since it’s related to gadgets we can’t imagine a trip without. As flashlights are the crucial tools needed as light sources, tactical weapons (in case of intruders), and fun indoors (in case of a rainy day), we focused on getting rechargeable models as well as a suitable battery charger for sale.

When shopping for the charger, out of a variety of designs we focused on getting a model with considerable length for the cable, and compatibility with torches, which is why we ended up choosing the superior Olight MCC5V known for its quality. This decision would help us cut down on our waste, especially when it’s serious waste like batteries.

In addition, we also got other battery chargers for the headlamps and lanterns, as we plan on using those more when out exploring new places. As for the appliances consuming a great deal of energy, we rely on the portable solar panels which even allow us to go on some off-road adventures that we still haven’t had the courage to try.

Reuse

Among the items that most end up in nature from campers, plastic bottles are a big no-no for our family as we all have our BPA free drink bottles that make us stay green and healthy at the same time. Instead of increasing our waste, we just have to give them a wash before filling them up with fresh water from our pump and reuse them as many times as necessary. This isn’t the case with plastic that easily goes through wear and tear.

Paper is yet another item we’ve figured out we use quite often when it comes to wrapping up food and snacks for us and Uno, so it was natural we had to find an alternative besides recycling. That’s how we’ve stumbled upon beeswax wraps – washable, freezer-friendly, antibacterial, compostable, and multi-use, what’s not to love about them?

Repurpose

Since we got our battery charger for sale for the adequate models of torches, we no longer need the old flashlights with disposable batteries. Instead of keeping both options, and piling up the clutter at home, we figured we could repurpose them by passing them down to those who need them most – in this case, other campers.

Even if you don’t know any, it’s easy to find out nowadays thanks to technology and social networks. If you plan on doing same as us, doesn’t have to be giving out a top-notch battery charger, but any other item you no longer use and is still usable, my suggestion is to do a search through groups on Facebook where you can interact with other camping members and ask away. Second-hand gear is highly appreciated by many.

The same goes for renting: either you renting from others, or others renting from you. Some of the equipment that’s important yet pricey includes sleeping bags, mattress toppers, camping chairs and tents, and if you don’t have the budget to cover up all of the expenses that come with purchasing new equipment, the solution lies in renting it – why give up camping when you can solve your issue with an eco-friendly move!

Recycle

Though our sons are already somewhat experienced with recycling since we separate the waste at home, camping shouldn’t be any different, so we included the different bags to make sorting trash easier for us when on the go. For start, we had it simplified this time because we have our reliable battery charger for sale and we don’t have to have a bag of non-recyclables that used to be mainly comprised of batteries and clothing on other trips.

Besides separating the glass bottles, aluminium and metal cans, magazines and cardboard, and plastics, we also have a bag reserved for kindlings such as cardboard, paper, and matchsticks. This way we know what goes where instantly!