A resident of Abbeville, South Carolina, William Reynolds has a diverse background in military service, emergency response, and community initiatives. With experience in the US Marine Corps and as a first responder, Reynolds developed a deep respect for environmental stewardship and responsible outdoor recreation. Currently pursuing a master’s degree in criminal justice, he also leads projects such as Casting for Youth and Reynolds Rescue, which focus on helping children and animals. His passion for outdoor activities, including camping and conservation, inspires his interest in promoting sustainable camping practices that help preserve the natural beauty of places like South Carolina’s scenic landscapes.
A Few Tips for Sustainable Camping
Camping is a popular outdoor activity in the United States. More than 81 million Americans went camping in 2024, including nearly six million Americans who camped for the first time. Almost 80 percent of campers said they went camping as often or more frequently than they had in 2023, based on data from The Dyrt’s 2025 Camping Report. As camping grows in popularity in the US, American campers must prioritize reducing waste and other sustainable practices.
All camping preparations start at home, including planning for a sustainable camping excursion. Several sustainable camping tips apply to everyday life, such as using reusable containers for storing leftover food rather than plastic or Styrofoam packaging. In addition to minimizing waste, effective food storage reduces the risk of attracting animals to the campsite. Individuals should also use recyclable or reusable utensils and dishes, as well as easily washed, reusable water bottles.
Campers on multi-day trips need to account for washing their plates, utensils, and food containers. With this in mind, they should pack biodegradable, environmentally friendly dish soaps and sponges. Campers should wash dishes and containers at least 200 feet away from the nearest body of water.
Not all waste generated while camping comes from food. To account for general waste and refuse, campers should bring clear trash bags that make it easy to separate trash and recyclable materials. Many major camping grounds provide on-site recycling facilities, making it easy to dispose of bags before leaving or throughout a multi-day stay.
Depending on the location and time of year, campers may need to account for insects. Individuals should pack bug spray that poses no threat to the environment, including plants, animals, and water. Campers can prepare an all-natural bug spray in a four-ounce spray bottle by adding two ounces of witch hazel and two ounces of distilled water, along with 20 to 25 drops of essential oils for young children and up to 50 drops for campers aged 10 and over. Essential oils contain many insect-repellent properties, including citronella and lemongrass.
Similarly, campers should pack non-toxic sunscreen. Individuals and families can further reduce their environmental impact by using environmentally friendly toilet paper.
Fire management represents a major aspect of safe and sustainable camping. In addition to learning about campfire safety, campers should source their firewood from local providers. Authorities defend local firewood as wood harvested from within a 50-mile radius of the campground. Burning untreated firewood from beyond that radius risks the spread of disease and the release of invasive species that can seriously impact local tree health.
Regarding sustainable campfires, campers should never burn trash. While it may seem convenient and harmless to throw plastic wrap or food packaging into a campfire, doing so releases harmful pollutants into the air and may produce toxic smoke that impacts both animal and human health.
Many types of pollution can negatively impact local wildlife, including light pollution. Light pollution is any human-based alteration of naturally occurring outdoor light levels. Light pollution can disturb local wildlife in various ways, including altering migratory patterns and sleep cycles. With this in mind, campers should use flashlights, lanterns, and headlamps only when necessary.
Finally, sustainable campers must demonstrate respect for the environment at all times. This means never cutting down vegetation, refraining from feeding wildlife, and making as little impact on the environment as possible.
About William Reynolds
William Reynolds, based in Abbeville, South Carolina, is a US Marine Corps veteran and former first responder. He is pursuing a master’s degree in criminal justice from American Military University and works to establish two nonprofits, Reynolds Rescue and Casting for Youth. His professional background spans emergency response, sales, and data analytics, while his personal interests center on outdoor recreation and wildlife conservation.
Laila Azzahra is a professional writer and blogger that loves to write about technology, business, entertainment, science, and health.