How to Leave No Trace on Your Next Camping Trip

Camping is an extremely fun global pastime for a reason. There’s nothing quite like immersing yourself in the outdoors. That’s why it’s so important to ensure that you clean up thoroughly after every camping trip–so that the site can be just as beautiful and pristine for other campers.

Bring Trash Bags

Trash bags are always something you should have. Ironically, they are also easy to leave behind since they might seem less essential than a tent, a flashlight, or a lighter. But they can be incredibly useful in just about any situation! Even the most minimalist campers are going to have waste of some kind that they should package up and take somewhere else. 

For standard campers that means making sure you put all disposables (from plastic utensils to napkins to toilet paper) in a trash bag. Even if you don’t expect to be using trash bags much, it’s better to be safe than sorry. 

Practice Good Fire Etiquette

Fires are a fun and critical part of camping. They provide heat, light, and a way to cook food. If you were to end up in a wilderness survival situation, a fire could mean the difference between life and death. Your fire in your campsite probably won’t end up being nearly as significant–but that doesn’t mean you should neglect it. 

You should put in the effort to make your firepit or campfire zone clean and safe. You should never leave a fire burning on a campsite. Always douse hot coals with water or dirt. Make sure to keep fire safety standards while it is burning to avoid forest fires and injuries.

Check and Double-Check

When it’s time to leave, this is the moment when you need to make sure you’ve done all you can to keep the site clean and ready for the next visitors. You are going to want to get your campers together and do a sweep over the site, slowly, methodically, and thoroughly. Pick up any pieces of trash or debris you see, even if it’s small or if it was there before you got there. Place all waste into a trash bag or other container to take it to a dumpster or trash can.

 

Pollution is an international problem. Corporations certainly pollute a lot, but it’s also important for individual citizens to make sure they clean up after themselves so they don’t contribute. If you want to keep the outdoors beautiful, you need to commit to preparing and cleaning with responsibility. 

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