Greening Your Family Holiday

Family camping essential: A large bell tent from The Glam Camping Company. Photo credit: The Glam Camping Company.

Laura Svenson wrote this guest post about greening your family holiday.  She is a lover of traveling, trees and cakes.

Want to green your family holiday? Well, a camping holiday is probably the greenest you can get with a traditional holiday. Still, there are plenty of extra things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint.

One area in which you can make carbon savings is in how you reach your holiday park. Providing your load isn’t too heavy, it’s possible to get to wherever you are camping in France via the Eurostar train if you’re living in the UK.

Of course, the Eurostar isn’t the only transport link bridging the UK and France. It’s possible to get to France by sea. In fact, this may be a better option if you do have a lot of luggage and camping equipment. Likewise, those traveling with children may prefer to break up their journey by traveling by boat – especially if it’s the kids’ first time at sea. They may very well see it as a bit of an adventure! Traveling by boat or train when going camping in France cuts carbon emissions, so if you’re keen to go green, check it out!

It’s also possible to stay green while on the campsite itself. Britain has been recycling for a few years now, and while each plot at your site may not have the different-colored bins you’re used to, you can still split your rubbish into plastics, glass and paper using cardboard boxes. Drop it off into a recycling depository next time you visit your local supermarket.

One last way in which you can cut down your carbon emissions while camping in France is by considering the food you’re eating. Eating fast food is quick and easy, of course, but the damage done to the environment by the plastics and litter can have long-lasting effects. Consider cooking for your party; it’s cheaper and easier.

Embarking on a family holiday in France with one eye on the environment may sound like a tough task. Take a few precautions and it can be done without affecting the quality of your family trip away.