Camping is the unofficial Canadian summer pastime. Pitching tents, cooking meals and spending time with family and friends under the stars brings us closer to nature. But how do camping habits impact Earth? Here are some eco-conscious hacks that will preserve the fun – and the planet – during your next trip.

Rent, repair or borrow
Preparing camping gear is an important step in the planning process. This year, instead of spending money on new equipment, consider buying used or renting, borrowing or repairing what you already have. If you have friends who camp, there’s a high chance they have gear you can borrow – sharing is caring and eco-friendly.

The longer you keep a product, the less impact it will have on the environment. A little TLC spent on bringing new life to existing camping tools will help protect the planet for future generations.

Shop local and sizzle sustainably
Don’t grocery shop ahead of time; instead, consider buying fresh food at your destination. Purchasing fresh, locally grown produce from farmers and distributors near your destination supports the community, is better for the environment and is more likely to reduce food waste.

And don’t stop at produce – the best camping mornings start with bacon. To sizzle sustainably, look out for the Carbon Zero logo on foods like Maple Leaf Original Natural Bacon packs.

Say no to plastic to preserve nature’s beauty
Instead of buying plastic water bottles, bring reusable ones and fill them up at your campsite. Some sites have water refill stations, or you can filter and boil your own from nearby natural resources.

Limit single-use containers and bring reusable cloth trash bags with you to collect your waste. Recycling and composting where you can goes a long way towards preserving nature’s beauty.

Eco-conscious camping is all about reducing our environmental footprint. Have fun, take care of each other and respect Mother Nature.