Great Walks offers five eco tips nature will love you for – and we’ve thrown in three multi-dayers for good measure!
You’re all sorted for an overnight or multi-day bushwalk: route planned, and weather checked. But have you thought about helping out mother nature as you enjoy all her beauty? The first step is staying on track to minimise damage to precious ecosystems. But what about the gear and food you bring and the waste you create along the way? Here are five tips for leaving the environment even better than you found it, plus some hot tips on where to hike and camp.
Invest in quality gear
Cheap tents just aren’t worth it. They might seem like a bargain, but as the poles likely snap and the zippers snag on night one, they are destined for the rubbish dump. Good quality gear lasts years, saving you money in the long run and better yet, the world more landfill. Look for brands that are known for quality such as Macpac, Osprey, Leki, Sea to Summit and Mont. Looking for a reliable sleeping bag that’ll last you for years? Check out our review of bags on pg??
Cut down on waste before you go
Is it even a bushwalk if you didn’t post a flat lay photo of your adventure gear? If you peer more closely at these popular pics, you’ll likely see lots of single-use plastic and disposable items. Here are some simple ways to minimise your waste before you even step on the track:
Make your own trail mix from ingredients bought at a bulk food store (see pg?? to recipes) and carry them in a reusable container.
Use a reusable dry bag rather than plastic zip-lock bags to keep things organised and dry. Beeswax wraps are also great for keeping food fresh.
Buy a water bladder. They hold more water than plastic bottles and are easier to trek with. Quality water bladders cost as little as $30, and you’ll never look back.
Minimise the campsite
Campfires sure do create a mood. And who doesn’t love a toasted marshmallow? But try to avoid relying on campfires every night to cook your food. Not all national parks allow fires or have dedicated fire pits (the only safe way to campfire), and this changes often with bushfire alerts. Instead, use a portable gas stove. Planet Ark’s Recycle Near You recommends gas cylinders as they may be accepted in household chemical collections in your area.
Dispose of your waste properly
It’s almost impossible to eliminate ALL rubbish, so how can you dispose of the trash you need to? Let’s break it down:
Packaging waste: Sort as you go, keeping separate recyclables, soft plastics, and then everything else. This might sound complicated, but arriving home after the walk will be a dream. Tip one bag into the recycling bin, one into the trash and take soft plastics to your nearest RedCycle collection. Then pat yourself on the back and hop in that shower!
Food waste: Carry out your scraps in a bio-bag to pop in your home compost bin, worm farm or local share waste collective. Never put your food scraps in national park toilets or bury them. Oh, and that apple core you’re planning on tossing into the bush because “it’s natural and breaks down”, does not belong there.
Human waste: Poop in the bush is always a cringey topic but rapidly becomes a focal (or should I say faecal) point of conversation by day two of a hike. Make sure you bury your waste in a 15cm hole that you’ve dug with a trowel, at least 100m from any natural water source.
Create a positive change
Next time you’re in nature, use it as an opportunity to give back and lead by example. You know that saying “Take only photographs, leave only footprints”? It’s recently had a little make-over and now goes something like this: “Take only photographs and any rubbish, leave only footprints”. You didn’t put put it there, but considering they’re not coming back you might as well pick it up.
Eco-friendly and green projects are also super hot right now. Engage new followers on your socials by sharing your adventures through an eco-friendly lens. Become involved in the sustainable hiking movement movement and the Hike It Out campaign.
Want to truly make a difference? Support a special project funded by the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife (fnpw.org.au). Hiking is a pretty cheap experience, so consider the money you’ve saved and direct it towards a positive cause to help protect these incredible places for generations to come.