Anyone who travels with a camper van and enjoys their free time outdoors loves nature. Campers love discovering new travel destinations, enjoying time outdoors and on the move . Many want to protect the environment little burden , contribute to nature and climate protection .
Even with small changes that do not diminish the holiday enjoyment at all , campers are even more sustainable on the road. This concerns important “basics” such as waste avoidance and separation. But there is more. From travel planning or vehicle selection, to hygiene , supply and disposal , to shopping and local mobility – you might want to know some things . Try it out on your next motorhome tour ?
Even more sustainable with the mobile travel system – and with fun
Many ideas not only protect natural resources , the climate and your holiday budget , but also bring joy ! The experienced team at Ecocamping has compiled the tips together with A UTO BILD Reisemobil. Martin Rolletschek, ECOCAMPING Environmental consultant and auditor , tried the tips in practice. To test In April 2024 , a committed partner campsite awarded by Ecocamping came up: the 5-star Naturcamping Spitzenort campsite on Lake Plön in Schleswig-Holstein , which has also earned the EU Ecolabel .
A motorhome ( or caravan ) to buy is expensive. Insurance, tax, maintenance and care costs are added to the purchase. If you do not live in the motorhome, it sits around a lot and takes up parking space. It is easier and cheaper to buy a motorhome or caravan to rent – from a nationwide motorhome rental company such as Road Surfer or from campsites that offer rental caravans (such as Naturcamping Spitzenort ) .
If you rent , you save money and time, and renting is usually more sustainable than buying. You can also make your journey climate-friendly: simply rent a motorhome or caravan in the holiday region - and Travel by train or long-distance bus.
It is becoming more “electric”: The range of electric motor homes available for purchase or rental is increasing , but is (still) manageable . But even with a motor home with a combustion engine, you can Set to "E": Choose a camping vehicle in which you can operate the refrigerator, stove or other appliances electrically - even during longer periods of downtime . Ecocamps usually supply the pitches with electricity from renewable energies . This way you can cook , cool or heat more sustainably. than with gas.
Even if you set off from home in your motorhome, you can still travel more sustainably. Use the freedom of camping to avoid times when traffic jams are a problem (weekends or the start of the holidays and when changing beds). If possible, drive through big cities or bottlenecks such as Alpine passes , the Elbe tunnel and more outside of rush hour and holiday traffic.
If you choose direct motorway or country road connections and, where permitted, drive around 90 km/h, uses less fuel and is easy on the nerves. Efficient route planning is possible with maps and navigation. Motorhome captains save like car drivers , also energy and money, if they accelerate slowly, Shift up early and switch off the engine when standing still for a long time .
Please also ensure that you use the correct tire pressure , as recommended by the manufacturer or rental company and usually dependent on the load : Tires with "too little air" not only impair driving characteristics and safety. They also lead to higher consumption and more tire wear . Studies show that tire wear accounts for a large proportion of microplastics in the environment . By using the correct tire pressure, you can help prevent unnecessary increases!
Another tip: Excessive weight or unnecessary structures that cause more wind resistance increase the Consumption – for example a bike rack . If you occasionally cycle on your camping holiday, you can leave your own bike at home and rent one on site .
Select sustainable campsites , book sustainably
Choose a campsite that focuses on sustainability and enjoying nature. This way you can be sure that resources are being conserved locally . For example, through sustainable energy production, bike rental , public transport or the use of regional products. At ecologically oriented campsites you will find a diverse , native flora and fauna in which you can completely relax.
It's not just children who love discovering colorful butterflies, cockchafers, bumblebees, or wild rabbits . In the evening , a hedgehog will stop by, or you'll be accompanied by fireflies and bats, chirping crickets , or the call of an owl. In the morning, songbirds , storks, and cranes greet you on your camping day. Natural games and sports for young and old complete the camping experience.
It is also sustainable to choose campsites nearby. Whether mountains, heath, lake or sea – in Germany and its neighbouring countries there are many holiday regions that Another tip that is sustainable and easy to implement : Avoid unnecessary camping hopping . Stay longer at your preferred campsite . Use it as a convenient base to explore the region by bike or public transport. You also save yourself the hassle of frequently putting up and taking down awnings, camping furniture, etc.
At ECOCAMPS you will find your dream place!
Easy to implement, is fun, keeps you fit and relaxed : Go on a tour in hiking boots or on two wheels! Sustainable campsites welcome you in beautiful natural landscapes and have tips for the most beautiful cycling or hiking trails . Almost everywhere you can You can rent bicycles, e-bikes, children's bikes and sometimes child trailers . Some campsites even rent e-scooters or e-cars , and there are more and more charging stations .
How do you find the pitches? Simply select the mobility options you want in the ECOCAMPS campsite search!
You can also easily use local public transport . Almost every campsite has a bus stop nearby . Some offer a pick-up service from the nearest train station. With the Deutschlandticket or local guest ticket, you can travel cheaply and in an environmentally friendly way in many places . The RV can then safely wait for you on the idyllic campsite .
Which of these tips do you think are particularly easy to implement? We look forward to your feedback! And there's more...
Read our blog part 2 to find out how you can shop and enjoy sustainably and regionally on your RV vacation . Also find out how you can keep your RV and more ecologically clean.
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