1) Recycle;
aluminum, tin cans, plastic, glass, and mixed paper. Many parks (especially federal)
have recycling bins. If they have limited recycling, usually the camp hosts know where the “in-town” recycling
center is. Stop by on the next shopping trip. We actually carry our filled bags of recycling in the back of our vehicle (which
is towed behind the RV during moves) until we come across a recycling center.
2) Take
hand-me-downs and old household items to a thrift store, homeless shelter, or church group.
3) Use
less water. It’s a known fact that RVers are great at using little water; the tank holds only so many gallons. However,
at RV parks where there are full hookups, and water is readily available, usage tends to go up. To counter this, I actually don’t connect our “sewer” line until I’m going to empty
the holding tanks. That way, I stay aware of how much water is going INTO the tanks; there is only so much storage room there
too.
4) Turn
off the electric water heater at night. One flip of a switch right before going to bed, and the same when I get up. Many RVers
seem to get the attitude of “I’m payin’ for it, so I might as well use it.” But, that means more electric
usage, period. Several states (nobody wants to believe) still use COAL to create
electrical power…really.
5) To
save even more electricity, turn off lights, including the little indicator lights on TV’s and other gadgets. (And, one day, I hope to have full solar electrical capability, and will use it as much as possible!)
6) Use
paper bags for garbage instead of plastic. I use the kids’ milk cartons (1/2 gallon size) inside the trash can so wet
items can be dumped into it instead of the paper liner. Plastic bags take 15+ years
to degrade, and it takes 12 million barrels of oil just
to make the U.S.’s supply of plastic bags every year!
7) Re-use
any other plastic-packaging; bread bags and cereal linings can be covers for leftovers, and after a few uses can at least
be used as a bag for pet droppings. Better yet, try to buy fewer foods packaged in plastic; pasta in a box, oatmeal in a cardboard
canister, sugar in paper or cardboard containers, etc.
8) Try
re-useable grocery bags (when you don’t need a trash-bag re-supply). We get ours at thrift shops; tote bags from hospitals,
diet companies and booksellers. Even for fruits, vegys, and bulk items, we try
to take as many of our own containers and light, cloth bags to fill.
9) Buy
eco-friendly cleaning products, and now there are even earth-friendly tank emulsifiers available. Just read the labels! It’s
more amazing how many name-brands are going to the other side and creating eco-friendly products.
10) Eat more organic foods. When something is certified organic it cannot be produced with earth-harmful pesticides
and/or fertilizers, animal antibiotics and/or growth hormones, or use chemicals as preservatives. Not only better for the
earth, but better for you too!
