green packing tips
By Tracy Lydiatt – The Green Families Guru
food/eating
tenting/equipment • set up your tent in designated areas to protect native plant life • purchase second-hand camping gear (including clothing) where possible—check out Mountain Equipment Co-op’s www.outdoorgearswap.com for recycled used camping gear. A great substitution for buying new equipment and saves money too! • If you can’t totally unplug, invest in solar chargers for your electronics if needed, including rechargeable batteries for your LED headlamps
fire • Do not burn aluminum foil, beer cans, bones or corn on the cob—the metals won’t melt in the fire (temp is too low) and the food products can be long lasting and harmful to wildlife if left in campfire pits • A great place to cook food and avoid using petroleum based fuel in stoves and barbecues • Build fires in designated areas only and do not burn plastic or styrofoam plates and cutlery that release toxins into the air. • Great for getting to know people, playing games, instruments or singing—all part of social sustainability and community building
• bring reusable dishes/cutlery to reduce waste and pollution. Check out www.to-go-ware.com and for great ideas. • If you must use disposable, use non-toxic products made from fast-growing materials such as bamboo www.bambuhome.com • stock up on local produce from farmers markets for your trip and don’t forget fair trade, organic coffee for your breakfasts • pack dishtowels from home and skip the paper towels • use biodegradable soap like Dr.Bronners—camp site grey water with “traditional” cleaning products can contribute to harming fish and animal habitat
transportation • bring your walking stick, bikes, skateboards and sense of adventure and cut down on the car travel by getting around via human power • Become a “cooler” driver and make your trip carbon neutral by investing in carbon offsets. Calculate your vehicle’s yearly emissions using this great calculator: www.offsetters.ca/for-individuals/calculators/ car-emissions-calculator
Tracy Lydiatt - The Green Families Guru is an award-winning author and sustainability advisor specializing in helping people understand how to green their lives without going broke or crazy in the process. Her mission is to take the “mental” out of environmental and educate and empower people; helping them to become leaders in their own communities. To do this, she has created an online “Green Your Life” program which provides a flexible, efficient, and fully-supported pathway to a healthier, green family.
22 WestCoastFamilies.com