Eco-friendly Camping Gear
More outdoor equipment companies are creating eco-friendly camping gear that use less energy, fewer resources and less-toxic materials.
May/June 2006
By Natural Home Staff
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The Blue Sun Solar Backpack from Clear Blue Hawaii charges small electronics in the backcountry.
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Head out this summer with the right gear for the road less traveled. More outdoor equipment companies are creating eco-friendly camping gear that use less energy, fewer resources and less-toxic materials. This guide from Sustainable Travel International lists items produced using resource-efficient, recycled, renewable and/or recyclable materials.
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BACKPACKS
• Venture out with a backpack made of 98 percent recycled materials (mostly recycled plastic bottles). www.Earthpak.com
• Solar panel–embedded packs and messenger bags keep cell phones, iPods, satellite radios and most personal electronics fully charged. www.RewareStore.com; www.ClearBlueHawaii.com; VoltaicSystems.com, www.EclipseSolarGear.com
BACKPACKING FOOD
• Mary Jane’s Farm: organic, instant and quick-prep meals in recyclable packaging. www.MaryJanesFarm.com
• Natural High: natural gourmet camping foods contain no artificial ingredients or MSG. www.Richmoor.com
• Clif Bar: all-natural energy bars made from 70 percent organic ingredients. www.ClifBar.com
CAMP STOVES AND OVENS
• ZZ Manufacturing: a lightweight Sierra stove utilizes a battery and fan to produce 18,000 BTUs from burning pine cones, wood chips, tree bark, charcoal. www.ZZStove.com
• Multi-fuel stoves that burn automobile diesel can burn biodiesel instead (they may require a separate primer). Options: Mountain Safety Research’s XGK-EX (www.MSRCorp.com), the Optimus Nova (www.Optimus.se), the Primus OmniFuel (www.Primus.se)
• Global Sun Ovens soak up solar radiation and reach 360 to 400 degrees in about 45 minutes. www.SunOven.com