Eco-friendly Camping Gear 2024 | UK Outdoor Essentials
LAST UPDATED: 28th February 2024
Who is ready to embrace the GREAT outdoors? I can’t wait to go camping in the British wilderness!
How easy is it to find sustainable, plastic-free alternatives for a guilt-free getaway? This handy guide with 40+ amazing finds of eco-friendly camping gear will help you prepare for your next UK adventure.
[UPDATED DECEMBER 2023]
Eco-Friendly Sleeping Gear For Camping
Eco-Friendly Tents
Most camping tents in the market tend to be made from synthetic materials for their waterproof qualities so still, some more innovation is needed or wild camping looking up at the stars instead.
Vango has introduced the Craghoppers Trevelyan ECO 250 Tent which is made using recycled polyester, helping to give around 90 discarded plastic bottles a second chance and is bolstered with an EcoShield with DWR finish fly and ground sheets.
Eco-Friendly Sleeping Bags
Sleeping bags should be top of the list to keep you cosy on a UK camping trip but what are your eco-friendly options?
I was super impressed to discover the Mountain Equipment recycled sleeping bags. The top quality 100% recycled down is produced in a solar-powered factory and washed with extremely efficient water recycling. The recycled and environmentally sound outer fabrics don’t compromise on performance.
Another option would be the RAB Solar Eco sleepings bags which are built with recycled fabrics and recycled Stratus™ insulation giving you high performance in freezing temperatures and damp conditions.
Recycled Plastic Straws Picnic Mat
This is a genius way to upcycle the awful single-use discarded plastic straws! These stylish double-sided 100% recycled plastic picnic mat is durable, and water and mould-resistant, just perfect for picnics and camping. The lightweight material makes it easy to transport and easy to clean at the end of your camping trip.
Eco-Friendly Cork Yoga Mat
Why not double up and use a yoga mat as a camping mat? This recyclable biodegradable cork mat has some serious padding with 100% natural tree rubber. You can personalise it with water-based inks to make this a cute gift for outdoor and yoga-loving buddies!
Waterproof Recycled Wool Travel Blanket
We all need to keep warm when sleeping under the stars, and this homemade recycled wool travel blanket certainly fits the bill. The blanket is waterproof and folds neatly and is secured with a webbed carrying handle.
Opt For Eco-Glamping
If you can’t find the right eco-friendly tent or you simply want to take the hassle out of camping, why not give eco-glamping a try? So many glamping options from yurts, bell tents, eco-pods, and even treehouses so you can feel at one with the British countryside.
The Quiet Site, Lake District is an award-winning sustainable glamping site located by Ullswater. They offer carbon-positive gingerbread houses, as well as glamping burrows and pods. The bar and play area will entertain all ages!
Go Eco Glamping in Lampeter, Wales has the ultimate luxury yurt experience with hot tubs, four-poster beds, and log burners.
Broomhills Farm River Eco Pods, Carlisle is located around 7km from Carlisle Castle. The pods at the farm have river views, a seating area, and use solar power
Quex Livery Glamping, Birchington offers a restaurant, a garden, and BBQ facilities. A sun terrace is available for guests to use at the tented camp.
Living-Room Treehouses in Machynlleth, Wales is the ultimate UK getaway as the 6 treehouses are hidden in the Welsh valley on the edge of Snowdonia with hot tubs and cosy wood-burning stoves.
Eco-Friendly Clothing For Camping
Camping-Inspired Sustainable T-Shirts
Why not look the part and invest in organic cotton t-shirts and hoodies by Artfully Wild? Their original designs and illustrations are all inspired by nature and adventure. The clothes are all Fair Wear sourced, they deliver in plastic-free packaging, and donate one tree for every sale.
GET 10% DISCOUNT ON YOUR FIRST ORDER >> CODE: WM10
Recycled Backpack
I love this cool recycled backpack to carry all your gear for life outdoors. This backpack is built to last with durable and planet-friendly RPET outer, ripstop lining and YKK zips with paracord toggle pulls. And when you buy this bag, £1 is donated to the RNLI Lifeboats that save lives at sea around the coasts of the UK & Ireland.
Cooking & Eating Gear For Camping
Eco-Friendly Plates & Cutlery
Single-use plastic utensils are a big NO and unnecessary when you think about the biodegradable, reusable alternatives to plates, cups, and cutlery for your camping getaway… I would say looks pretty cool to have at home too!
Water-To-Go Purifier Bottle
Water-to-Go bottle is a portable water filtration system that eliminates up to 99.9999% of microbiological contaminants including viruses, bacteria, chemicals, and heavy metals from any non-saltwater source in the world. This means you can fill up and hydrate on the go no matter where you are.
GET 15% DISCOUNT OFF >> CODE: WM15
Bamboo Foldable Table
For the ‘all-out’ not eating on your knee kinda camping trip, you will need a table for the happy campers. They would be reused each time but the Bamboo Foldable Table is the more sustainable option.
Personalised Portable Camping Fire Pit
I love this compact steel portable campfire pit as it doubles up as a BBQ! Forget using single-use tin BBQs, just bring your own grill and pans!
It comes flat with a bamboo carry handle, open it out and slot it together, as easy as that! The raised campfires don’t scorch or burn the grass which protects the environment. This would be a fab gift too as you can personalise it on both sides.
Eco-Friendly Bin Bags
Remember to leave no trace and take your litter with you to recycle or dispose of it responsibly. Have you ordered Biodegradable Bin Bags or Compostable Bin Bags to help you?
Eco-Friendly Firelighters
Keep the campfires burning with eco-friendly firelighters! The wood wool and organic bricks are 100% natural, ignite instantly, and burn for a longer time than more traditional firelighters removing the need for kindling. How else will you toast your marshmallows in the small hours?
Eco-Friendly Toiletries For Camping
Skin & Hair Care
Since buying these Shampoo and Conditioner Bars, I have been truly stunned at the difference in my hair, it is so shiny! The 100% natural ingredients will cause less environmental damage if you are washing your locks in the great outdoors. They are cruelty-free, vegan-friendly, and free from palm oil, WOW!
So that’s the basics for a minimal packing trip but if you have more room, check out more eco-friendly products from moisturiser, lip balm, and hairbrushes to get through your tangled locks.
- Shampoo, Conditioner & Soap Bars
- Bamboo Hairbrush
- Natural Fairtrade Shea Butter in Bamboo Pot
- Vegan Lip Balm
SURI Sonic Toothbrush
The SURI (Sustainable Rituals) is my new eco-friendly must-have! The SURI Sonic Toothbrush has gone back to basics and redesigned the product with quality, performance, and the planet at the forefront.
Their brushes are made from bio-based materials which reduces reliance on petroleum-based plastics. Their plant-based are recycled and the aluminium body is repairable. If you are heading off on a longer trip, the SURI toothbrush will last 40+ days!
GET 20% DISCOUNT OFF SURI TOOTHBRUSH >> CODE: WANDERSMILES20
Dental Care
Be wild and free on your camping trip but don’t let the dental care slip. Choose the natural way to look after your teeth and leave no trace in your environment.
- Organic Vegan Charcoal Toothpaste
- Fluoride Vegan Toothpaste Tablets
- Bamboo Toothbrush with Charcoal-infused Bristles
- Bamboo Interdental Brushes
First Aid Products
Every camper needs a standard first aid kit in case of emergencies. Unfortunately, most are not on the eco-friendly side but I found a few organic or sustainable options I’ll be adding to my kit for a summer camping trip in the Lake District.
- Organic Insect Repellant
- Bamboo Face Mask with Filter Pocket
- Massage Oil for muscle aches and pains
- 100% Pure & Natural Aloe Vera Gel
Eco-Friendly Camping Gear Essentials
Solar Chargers
If you wish to go off the grid then maybe you don’t need power although this is not recommended as you never know when you need to make an emergency call. Power up your device away from the socket with an eco-friendly Solar Powered Charger.
Lights & Torches
Lighting is an absolute must when planning to buy eco-friendly camping gear for your trip!
LED Head Torches are an ideal hands-free source of light for nighttime activities such as hiking or simply a quest to find the loo!
LED Lanterns for the tent are a fab idea to find your way around your tent or to create some ambiance around the campsite. The Vango LED lanterns have a built-in rechargeable battery and USB charging option.
LED Hand Held Torches are perfect for everyday use too. They range from pocket-sized or heavy-duty powerful lighting to help you see in the dark.
Outdoor Wind Resistant Candles Soy Wax Candle is the eco-friendly answer to lighting at the campsite, just pop the tin lid on to put them out. Always be careful to put on a heat-resistant surface and away from fabrics. I loved these upcycled lanterns for the table but not for the minimalistic camping trip.
Maps & GPS For UK Adventures
It’s always a good idea to play it safe on your outdoor adventures. Just in case you get lost, make sure you have a trusted maps app or GPS with you. Ordnance Survey provides both of them!
OS Maps App
The OS Map Premium is a subscription service with unlimited access to 607 official maps to explore Great Britain. You can view ready-made routes or plot your own. print or download to your phone.
Another really cool feature is you can visualise the rolling hills and landscapes with the OS Maps AR Viewer, or fly across the terrain with the Aerial 3D layer to find the best points of interest.
OS GPS Devices
Stay safe on your outdoor adventures with GPS watches and hand-held devices anywhere in the world. If you are heading off wild camping in the Peak District or hiking in Lancashire, you will know your precise location which is handy in case of any issues! Some of the GPS devices come with some nifty features such as two-way satellite messaging & heart-rate monitoring.
> CHECK THE LATEST OS GPS DEVICES & WATCHES
Gift Vouchers
If you want to buy a present for your adventurous buddy, play it safe with a gift voucher. Take a look at these options;
Manawa
Offer your loved ones adrenaline-fueled adventures with Manawa > ORDER MANAWA GIFT VOUCHER ONLINE
Artfully/Wild
Sustainable clothing for outdoor and wildlife lovers > ORDER ARTFULLY/WILD GIFT VOUCHER ONLINE
WHY NOT PIN FOR LATER?
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you click a link and purchase something that I’ve recommended. It comes at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.
