HAPPY EARTH DAY!
Earth Day is an environmental movement dedicated to raising awareness of environmental concerns and inspiring global action to make our planet a sustainable place to live. Earth Day has made a magnificent impact on the planet since its origin in 1969; it led to the formation of the Environmental Protection Agency as well as multiple legislations including the Clean Air and Water Acts, the National Environmental Education Act, and more.
🙏🏼 Thank you for participating this year by learning about how you can make a difference with a few simple actions!
To learn more about the origins of Earth day and more ways to contribute, please visit https://www.earthday.org/.
– None of the following links are my affiliates or sponsors. This article is genuinely intended to support the best interest of the Earth and those making efforts to improve it. –
7 Sustainable Steps for Earth Day 🌎
Photo by Peter Conlan on Unsplash
Vanlifers spend a lot of time outside enjoying the Earth and its plentiful beauty. We also spend a lot of time traveling across the country & the world. All that travel has an impact on our delicate environment. Don’t you worry though, as there are a ton of simple ways you can reduce your negative impact on the planet and even make it a better place to live.
If you travel often, specifically across America, you have probably noticed that not all states are created equal when it comes to keeping the environment a safe and healthy place for ourselves and future generations. Let’s assume that these people are not practicing environmentally conscious behavior because they are uneducated about the impact a few bad habits can leave on the Earth, and work on educating each other on how to be better.
You may be thinking “I’m only one person, my actions aren’t going to make enough of a difference to matter” or alternatively “I don’t care, screw the planet, I do what I want.”
I hate to pick sides, but both are wrong.
Every time someone witnesses a vanlifer destroying the planet it tarnishes the vanlife reputation. Before long, there will be more and more laws enacted to protect the environment and deter the people that are polluting. These laws could include not allowing people to dwell in vans in certain areas, or eventually, at all. This isn’t some fantasy, this is our current reality. Cities are banning vanlife more often and citing litter and unhygienic pollution as their reasonings.
For more information on how to keep vanlife truckin’ check out Van Life Etiquette
1. GET EDUCATED
Photo by Ben White on Unsplash
Good job, you made it here!
You’re putting in the work to make a difference. Give yourself a pat on the back and continue to educate yourself as often as possible.
THE EXTRA MILE:
Help to educate others.
Share this post, share info graphics, TikToks and YouTube videos that you see on social media. Share, share, share. The more the information is in front of someone’s face, the greater chance they’ll actually stop and take a second to consider it. We are all busy people, sometimes we need that extra push to focus on life’s realities rather than the industrial drama.
2. DON’T LITTER
Photo by Cam Bradford on Unsplash
This one is pretty obvious, yet somehow it still needs to be brought to attention.
Even throwing seemingly harmless, biodegradable objects (like an apple core) out the window of your car is littering. Not only could it damage the ecosystem or harm an animal, it also contributes to visual litter which encourages others to see littering as less of a problem.
Be the change if you want to see the change.
If you are a smoker, add a cigarette butt bowl to your vehicle. This one is less than $5, this one is awesome, this one is adorable, and this one is portable. See, now there’s no excuse for throwing your butt out a moving car window spraying embers on the car behind you.
Photo by Gage Walker on Unsplash
Cigarettes are EXTREMELY toxic to your health (you know this), but also the health of those around you. Tossing butts across the country contributes to harmful pollution. It gets in your water, your food, and will affect us all for generations to come. So, while I encourage you to quit smoking, I implore you to stop littering and killing your fellow Earth roommates.
THE EXTRA MILE:
If you see trash while meandering, clean it up. Every single object you pick up makes an extra difference. Think of the release of oxytocin you’ll receive when you make the connection between picking up trash and the continued presence of the beauty surrounding you.
Photo by OCG Saving The Ocean on Unsplash
Even better, make a habit of collecting as much junk as you can once a week. You can also keep trash bags & gloves on you while you explore (bonus points if you get one of those fun hand grabber things). Take a bag out and start collecting trash – or just cigarette butts, bottles, etc. anything helps! Take a pic of your final haul & tag it with #trashtag to join the movement
We get it, you don’t want a bunch of trash cluttering up your van. It’s gotta go somewhere. Find out how to properly dispose of your trash here.
The best way to reduce the clutter in your van is to reduce the clutter you produce.
3. REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE
Photo by QuackyMcduck 🙂 on Unsplash
We all know we should be recycling (so do it), but it’s even better to not need the recyclable materials at all. For instance, replacing single-use items with reusable ones.
There’s nothing better than a warm beverage enjoyed from your favorite mug. Now imagine you could do that every day! Well, shockingly enough, you can and in a van it’s actually ideal. Reusable straws, coffee cups, water bottles, and storage jars are the way of the future, and the future is now. Washing your mug immediately after or before a new beverage is good for the mug, good for the environment, and good for your peace of mind. So find a new favorite mug or water bottle and stick with it! #minimalism
Try out a collapsible silicon water bottle or a collapsible silicon mug.
Photo by Christopher Vega on Unsplash
Bring your own totes and shopping bags to the store. This is common practice in a few states. In fact, when I returned to the Midwest from a year on the West Coast, it was actually jarring to experience the cashier bag my stuff and hand it to me in a plastic bag. It can be nice to have a few extra plastic bags around for trash or cleaning purposes, but admittedly they can pile up quicker than one could feasibly use them.
Learn more about single-use plastic bans here.
Subbing paper towels with reusable towels is also a great eco-friendly swap you can make. You also could upcycle old towels or clothes into cleaning rags.
THE EXTRA MILE:
Photo by Ravin Rau on Unsplash
Upcycling might be even better than recycling because you can save money and fulfill a need with products you would have otherwise sent to a dump. Some upcycling ideas are using old bottles for plants, crafts, storing loose objects, or pee jars.
Upcycling can include turning your waste into compost. If you’re constantly traveling, composting for yourself may not be the most logical option, but you could find places that would love to take your compost for you.
4. FOOD WASTE
We’ve all heard the basics right?
Buy local, purchase in season, minimize packaging.
Farmers markets are a personal favorite of mine. The food is deliciously fresh, you get to have incredible conversation with local farmers and creators, and you know you’re supporting a local human vs a corporate supermarket. Try to buy things with minimal packaging and don’t over-buy just because there is a deal on a product.
Buying local extends to eating out as well. Local mom & pops restaurants are not only an eco-friendly decision but will provide you with some of most delicious and creative meals you’ve ever had. Eating locally also provides an opportunity to ask the locals about the surrounding area.
What is there to do nearby? Any great scenic views? What other restaurants should I try while I’m in town? Are there decent, safe places to park or maybe areas to avoid? How do the locals feel about travelers?
You can also feel better about the fact that you are supporting individuals that are taking care of their families and giving their all to their business instead of supporting global chains which, we don’t need to get into right now.
Find locally owned restaurants near you.
Only prepare or order the amount of food you are hungry for & always take home the leftovers. I always keep my eye out for someone with a sign asking for food after I leave a restaurant with leftovers. Even if I took the leftovers for lunch tomorrow, I’d rather be SURE they get eaten by someone who’s going to enjoy every last bite!
If you have some leftovers you’re not really feeling, try to create something new with the ingredients. Learn how to reduce food waste here.
Photo by David Clode on Unsplash
THE EXTRA MILE:
If you generally stay in one area, consider participating in a community garden. Find one near you here.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
I Only Ate Food That I Grew Or Foraged For One Year
5. CONSIDER YOUR HYGIENE PRODUCTS
Photo by Anthony Tran on Unsplash
An unhealthy amount of hygiene products are terrible for the environment, and generally, not great for your body either. Make sure you are purchasing high-quality products (not necessarily high price) from reputable brands that have done their research.
If you are washing yourself off in natural water features like rivers or waterfalls, make sure you are not polluting that water for the natural inhabitants. #savethefishies
Learn more about ocean friendly sunscreens here.
Buy sustainable products from reputable brands. Find your new favorite product here.
Not only are these natural products better for your body, but better for the environment in multiple ways.
First, you must consider what chemicals you are washing into the earth or the water around you. This includes shampoos, soaps, sunscreens, makeup, and more.
Second, consider the plastic waste. Buying bar shampoo rather than bottled is a great place to start as the bar usually lasts longer and comes in recyclable packaging. Get yourself a container for your bar soap and watch how much longer you can go between product purchases. The Dr. Squatch soap travel bag comes highly recommended or if you prefer a hard case there are plenty of options as well.
BONUS! No messy shampoo or body wash spillage.
I prefer Dr. Bronners soap as it is better for the environment. Like their website states
“Treat the Earth like home”
THE EXTRA MILE:
To make your soap go farther, put the little bits in one of these handy soap scrap savers (and support small creators on Etsy) that way you can get every last wash out of your products!
Photo by Chandler Cruttenden on Unsplash
On the note of hygiene, try to reduce your water consumption as much as possible. Don’t leave the water running when you’re not actively using it (a great tip for vanlifer’s limited water supply in general) and take shorter showers.
Quick showers are better for the environment and great for your skin. Yes, we all love hanging out in warm running water, but that’s what hot springs are for. Additionally, it can be difficult to even find a shower that will stay warm for extended periods of time (am I right Planet Fitness fans?)
Find out more about vanlife hygiene here and showering here.
6. ECO-FRIENDLY FASHION
Photo by Nikola Jovanovic on Unsplash
It is widely known that the fashion industry has one of the highest contributions to environmental pollution, from production to your washing machine.
Many clothing brands also contribute to unethical labor practices. Moreover, some of the fabrics used in fast fashion leaves microplastics in our water when being washed; this circle-of-lifes itself back into the food we eat, mainly fish. Gross.
An easy way to combat this is to purchase from sustainable brands. You can also purchase clothes second hand, which I highly recommend. You can find more unique pieces in a thrift shop than a shopping mall (and at a much more reasonable price).
Begin your research on eco-friendly clothing here.
THE EXTRA MILE:
Don’t forget to donate the clothes you’re done with as well! You never know who is going to love that old vintage T-shirt you’re tired of wearing to bed.
7. SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS
Just as in fashion, not all brands are created equal. Keep product ingredients in mind when making any purchase. A good example to use when discussing sustainable options is candles.
It’s understandable to be uncomfortable with open flame in your rig, but they can create a very homey vibe when you need it most. Let’s make sure you are choosing responsibly sourced candles for both your health and the planet’s.
When purchasing candles there are a few key things to look out for.
- Purchase candles that state “100% essential oils” or “essential oils only”
- Stick to “100% ___ wax” – NOT A WAX BLEND, a mixture of coconut & beeswax is a great start. Soy wax works too, but beeswax cleans the air as it burns
- Purchase only unbleached cotton wick – NOT “natural cotton wick” as that has likely been bleached
- Look for terms like “paraffin-free”. Avoid paraffin & petroleum derived candles as they are dangerous pollutants.
Obviously the conversation of responsible purchasing doesn’t end with candles, but hopefully you’ve gained more insight into how to ask the right questions and what to look for when making purchase decisions.
THE EXTRA MILE:
It can be difficult to find some eco-friendly products in certain areas of the US. Specifically in areas where it may be needed most such as near BLM lands and forests. These remote locations are often located in areas with little knowledge or enforcement of responsible environmental practices. Requesting products at your favorite locations or igniting a conversation with those who order product will benefit not only you, but people for generations to come.
BONUS TIP
EVERY DOLLAR IS A VOTE
Photo by Live Richer on Unsplash
Make sure you are constantly looking into the brands you’re supporting.
I agree, it shouldn’t be YOUR responsibility to make sure every business is practicing good ethics. Hopefully someday there will be an agency that genuinely looks out for the good of all consumers (including their health & the health of the one habitable planet we have). For now, I will try my best to help.
Do your part by using every dollar you spend wisely because EVERYONE follows the money. If environmentally conscious companies get more money, they get more say. Additionally, more companies will want to copy the practices that get results.
EVERY DOLLAR IS A VOTE.
VOTE WISELY.
To find more brands that are doing their part to help Earth read more here or look into the Do More Good Movement.
IN CONCLUSION…
Photo by Fateme Alaie on Unsplash
After reading all this, you may be feeling as defeated and frustrated as I have been writing this.
Why isn’t this easier? Why are companies even allowed to manufacture and sell products when there is hard evidence that they are destroying our one Planet?
I have no answers for you as to WHY this is the case. However, I do know that we make a difference when we stand together and demand change. Continue using your dollars to vote and continue spreading facts. Stop cancelling celebrities and start cancelling money-hungry, immoral corporations.
MORE RESOURCES:
HOW TO TRAVEL RESPONSIBLY: by Farmagan
BOOKING TRAVEL: Clickatree.com plants a tree every time you book a bed through their site.
DISCLAIMER:
Linked articles from outside sources are for entertainment purposes only and to offer outside perspectives further than the ones we serve here at Survive Van Life. I can not speak for the owners or contributors to these outside sources vis-a-vis their environmental impact, social consciousness, or moral compass. We try our hardest to feature reputable brands and content as much as possible. Thank you for understanding.
Safe Travels ✌🏼
