As full time travelers living in beautiful, wild places, we’re always looking for ways to give back to our Mother Earth. Sustainable RV living is one way we can do it.
But living sustainably in our consumption culture isn’t easy. And traveling around the country in an RV adds a whole new level of complexity.
But here’s the thing: living sustainably in an RV is possible. It takes some getting used to, but it definitely can be done. Start small. Get some little wins under your belt that will help you build the confidence you need to continue and expand. And you’ll inspire others along the way!
Important Reminders for Sustainable RV Living
Remember: don’t let perfect be the enemy of the good. Don’t feel like you have to implement all (or even most) of these ideas right away. Mitch and I don’t do all the things on this list in our own home (yet!). When more of us make more small changes more often, our planet is better for it. Your efforts are meaningful. And you can do it one step at a time!
I don’t love the term “zero waste” because it implies perfection. If we strive for perfection, we’ll only end up discouraging ourselves. And that puts us at a higher risk of giving up. Regardless, the 5 R’s of Zero Waste offer a simple-to-understand framework to help us think through ways to live more sustainably in an RV.
Throughout the rest of this article, we’ll use this framework to brainstorm ideas for zero waste living in an RV.
What are the 5 R’s of Zero Waste?
In 2013 book, Bea Johnson outlined the 5 R’s of Zero Waste. If you want to dive deep into these ideas, her website is a great place to start!
But for the purposes of this article, all you really need to understand is this: if you’re serious about reducing your waste, recycling alone isn’t enough. That’s because it’s much simpler to refuse wasteful items in the first place than it is to recycle them. And it’s much simpler to reduce your consumption and reuse things you already have than it is to recycle them.
Here’s how the 5 R’s of Zero Waste look in practice:
- Refuse: just say no to things you don’t need
- Reduce: downsize your belongings and bring new things into your home intentionally
- Reuse: choose durable things you can use for the long-run instead of single-use items
- Recycle: when the first 3 aren’t an option, make sure you recycle what’s leftover
- Rot: let your food waste break down into compost and return to nourish the Earth
Zero Waste Ideas for RV Living
Sustainable Ideas for Your RV Kitchen
Refuse single-use bags at the grocery store. It’s true that plastic, paper and reusable shopping bags all take their toll on the environment. I’m not encouraging you to rush out and buy fancy reusable bags. But I am encouraging you to take stock of the bags you already have and put them to work on your next grocery trip.
Reduce the amount of food you buy. This one should be pretty simple, especially if your RV is small like ours. We literally don’t have the space to bring groceries into the camper that we don’t intend to eat within the next few days. Eliminating food waste makes a big environmental impact, so take advantage of it and only buy what you need.
Clean and reuse your plates, bowls, cups and utensils. Doing dishes in an RV is a relentless chore. We don’t have a dishwasher and hand-washing dishes in a tiny sink is super tedious. But disposable kitchen items are harmful, especially if you’re using them every day. Grab an eco-friendly dish soap and imagine Mother Nature’s grateful smile as you work.
Choose products with recyclable packaging. Single-use plastic packaging is difficult to recycle. And many consumer-packaged goods manufacturers in the US are still using it. When you can, support brands that are embracing alternatives. We also love this resource from Zero Waste Home that helps you find packaging-free places to shop worldwide.
Let your foot scraps rot. I’m not going to try to teach you to compost while traveling full time (yet). We composted before we sold our house, but got out of the habit when we started traveling full time. It can be done, though. And as soon as we figure out how to compost in our RV, we’ll write an article to share what we’ve learned.
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Sustainable Ideas for Your RV Bathroom
Refuse single-use cosmetics. Beauty products from shampoo to body wash to toothpaste can add up to a ton of waste. But transitioning to more sustainable, packaging-free options is easier than you think. We switched to shampoo bars a few years ago and really love them! This is the brand I’ve been using.
Reduce the amount of water you use in the shower. A short shower of just 5 minutes can use 10 gallons of water. That’s a lot. But here’s the good news: many RV showers come with a shut-off valve on the shower head, which makes it super simple to conserve water when you’re not rinsing. We use so much less water living in an RV than we did in a traditional home.
Reuse your towels a few times before washing them. A lot of people get grossed out by this idea. But here’s how we see it: you’ve just washed your body! You’re clean and so is your towel. Just make sure you hang your towels to dry in a spot with good airflow. Turn the bathroom fan on or hang them on a clothesline in the sun for a bit.
Recycle your cardboard (including toilet paper rolls). Toilet paper itself cannot be recycled, but cardboard toilet paper rolls definitely can be. So instead of simply throwing them away, save your empty toilet paper rolls and recycle them!
Sustainable Ideas for Your RV Living Areas
Refuse to leave anything behind. If you aren’t already practicing Leave No Trace principles while camping, now is the perfect time to start. Remember: everything that you bring into a campsite with you should leave your campsite with you, too. And don’t stop there. If you arrive to a campsite with litter lying around, spend some time cleaning it up.
Reduce the amount of souvenirs you buy. Limit yourself to the souvenirs you plan to give as gifts to other people or things that also serve a functional purpose. You know, like a super functional ceramic coffee mug to help you maintain the energy levels you need to keep the momentum going with your new sustainable lifestyle.
Choose durable, reusable outdoor gear and take good care of it. This one is really all about being intentional about the camping equipment you buy. Camping chairs are a simple example. Choose chairs that are high-quality and weather-resistant. And then take care of them by storing them in a protected area when they aren’t in use.
You might not think recycling your outdoor gear is an option. But lots of outdoor brands offer amazing programs that make it possible. Trading in your lightly used gear and purchasing equipment that’s already been used is a great way to recycle. Check out REI co-op’s used gear program, where members can trade in and shop for used items.
Sustainable Ideas for Your RV Travel Days
Refuse fast food and choose simple make-ahead meals instead. There’s a lot going on on travel day. It’s really tempting to swing through the drive through when you’re that busy. But there’s a better way! Spending a little time before travel day prepping snacks and make-ahead meals makes refusing fast food easier.
Reduce your consumption of nonrenewable energy resources (like coal and oil). If you can afford solar power for your rig and/or an electric tow vehicle, make the investment. And let’s vote for programs that make it easier for more of us to choose renewable energy more often.
Choose reusable gloves for dumping your RV waste. Dumping your black tank on travel day is a dirty job, so it makes sense that you’ll want to wear gloves. But disposable gloves aren’t your only option. Consider making the switch to durable, reusable gloves like these.
Find a place to recycle on travel day. While many private RV resorts offer recycling programs (or at least can point you in the right direction), public lands aren’t always able to afford recycling programs. Search along your route for a recycling center or retail locations that’ll take your recyclables and stop by on travel day.
Recommended Resources to Learn More
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by these ideas for sustainable RV living, don’t! Remember: perfection is not required (or possible). You don’t have to do it all to make a difference. Your best effort is enough. Just get started and always keep learning.
Here’s a few recommended resources to learn more about building a more sustainable lifestyle:
- Dr. Jane Goodall teaches Conversation on Masterclass
- All We Can Save: Truth, Courage and Solutions for the Climate Crisis
- Seven Principles of Leave No Trace
We want to hear your ideas! How do you live more sustainably in your RV while traveling full time? Tell us in the comments!
