Awareness of environmental issues is quite a mainstream concern these days. You don’t have to be as puritanical as Greta Thunberg or as knowledgeable as David Attenborough to care about your static caravan holiday being spent sustainably.
There’s plenty of information out there about the challenges the planet faces, and most people recognise how important it is to take as many small and thoughtful steps as possible to minimise impact while on holiday. From recycling waste to making eco-conscious purchases, behaving responsibly is well within reach.
In this edition of our blog we’ll check in on some key things you can do when you’ve bought a caravan on a Daly Parks site and want to holiday sustainably.
1. Reduce, reuse and recycle
One of the simplest ways to make your holiday time at Daly Parks more eco-friendly is by properly managing your rubbish. Just like you would do back at home, separate out recyclables from general domestic waste. This means things like cardboard packaging, paper, glass, metal and plastics. Using reusable shopping bags and food containers will reduce the amount of single-use plastics. To reduce the amount of waste further, try to buy food and household items in bulk. This will reduce the amount of plastic and packaging per shopping trip, and these groceries can be stored in reusable containers during your static caravan stay.
2. Use eco-friendly products
Using or including eco-friendly products in your static caravan is a great way to reduce environmental footprint.
- Solar-powered gadgets: Many owners use solar-powered devices, which are particularly useful when the weather is on the sunny side. Gadgets which can be solar-powered include lights, small kitchen appliances and even chargers for phones. Using them saves energy and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
- Energy-efficient appliances: If your caravan’s appliances are outdated, you should look to replace them with energy-efficient versions. For a start, a low-energy kettle, fridge and heater will make a huge difference. Look for appliances with high energy ratings or ones that have been specifically designed for off-grid living.
- Eco-friendly cleaning products: Many cleaning products that you can buy from a supermarket contain chemicals that are actually harmful to the environment. You should make the effort to switch to eco-friendly cleaning brands that use natural, biodegradable ingredients. These products are safer for the environment and also better for your health.
- Low-flow water fixtures: Installing low-flow taps and showerheads in your caravan can drastically reduce your water consumption. These fixtures aerate the water, giving you the same pressure but using less water. Using less water is particularly important if your caravan is in a location where water resources are scarce.
3. Use less energy
Reducing energy consumption is one of the most impactful changes you can make when you’re looking to have a more sustainable holidays. Static caravans, though they are generally smaller than houses, still consume a lot of energy – especially in terms of heating, cooling, and lighting.
- LED lighting: Switching to LED bulbs is a quick and effective way to reduce your use of energy. They use up to 85% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last much longer, meaning fewer replacements.
- Sockets and appliances: Many people tend to leave appliances plugged in when they’re not being used (such as televisions, microwaves and chargers), but doing so can drain power even when they’re off. Make a habit of unplugging devices and turning off plug sockets when they aren’t needed.
- Natural ventilation: Instead of relying on air conditioning during hot days, try to maximise the airflow in your caravan by opening the windows (and any vents). This will reduce the need to use cooling systems, which are energy-intensive. Conversely, on cooler nights, use heavy curtains and insulation to trap warmth inside, which will minimise the need for electric heaters.
4. Sustainable travel
It may seem too obvious to mention, but we will. The way you travel to and from your static caravan has an impact on the environment. You’re almost certainly going to use a petrol or diesel vehicle, which means an increase in your footprint. Once you’ve arrived at the static, however, you can make greener choices when you’re exploring the surrounding area.
- Walk / cycle: One of the easiest ways to cut down on carbon emissions during time away is to walk or cycle to local attractions, rather than going by car. Many static caravan parks are located near beautiful walking and cycling routes. Take advantage of the fresh air and scenery and reduce your carbon footprint. It’s a win / win.
- Public transport: Consider using local public transport. By planning your days out using public transport, buses and trains (and perhaps even trams, if they are in operation where you are) will generally produce fewer emissions per person than cars.
- EVs: Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular as the years goes by. If you own one, you could use it during your holiday without too much hassle. Many more places are installing EV charging points, making it easier to travel sustainably without the worry of where to power up.
5. Cook local food
Your choice of food makes an impact on your holiday’s eco-friendliness.
- Buy local: Supporting the local farmers and markets in the region means you’ll enjoy flavoursome produce as well as reduce the amount of packaging and processing required. You’ll also reduces the ‘food miles’ associated with your meals (that is, the distance the ingredients have to travel to get to you). It also helps boost the local economy, as you are putting your money back in to local business rather than to a national chain supermarket.
- Reduce meat: Meat production is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, cutting back on the amount of meat you eat – and, if you can, reducing that amount to zero – can help reduce your environmental impact. Consider preparing vegetarian or vegan meals during your holiday.
- Avoid waste: Plan meals carefully to avoid buying and bringing more food than you actually need. You could use leftovers for the next day’s meal, which helps to minimise food waste. Take reusage storage containers to store your loose ingredients or leftover food in a more eco-friendly way.
6. Caravan upgrades
Making eco-conscious upgrades to your static caravan can dramatically reduce your overall environmental impact.
- Improved insulation: Double-glazed windows, thicker curtains and wall insulation are simple yet effective ways to keep warmth in during winter and keep your caravan cool in the summer. A well-insulated caravan reduces the need for heating and cooling.
- Solar panels: Installing solar panels on the roof of your caravan is an excellent eco-friendly thing to do. The panels collect energy from the sun and can provide electricity for lighting, heating and powering appliances.
- Rainwater collection: Installing a rainwater harvesting system means the collection and storage of rainwater, which can then be used for non-potable purposes such as flushing toilets or watering plants.
7. Care for wildlife
Your static caravan may be located in a beautiful area – which means wonderful natural habitats and some incredible wildlife. You should always be mindful of its existence and respectful of its presence.
- Single-use plastics: Single-use items made from plastic (such as straws, cutlery and packaging), often end up being of harm to wildlife and the environment. You should make the effort to find reusable alternatives and dispose of all of your rubbish properly to avoid littering.
- Noise pollution: Being conscious of keeping your noise levels down means you’re being considerate to other holidaygoers, and it also reduces stress on local wildlife. Many animals have different hearing systems to human beings and are really sensitive to loud noises, especially during breeding seasons.
- Conservation: Take time to learn about conservation efforts in the locale around your park and consider supporting these efforts by participating in eco-efforts or donating to local wildlife charities.
An eco-friendly static caravan holiday does take effort, but it’s not an unreasonable amount. You don’t have to undergo massive lifestyle changes, just tweaks to your behaviour and thinking here and there. By making small adjustments you can enjoy your time at Daly Parks while minimising your environmental impact.
