Reducing the impact of your holiday
In today’s economy more and more holidaymakers are plumping for staycations, and it’s not just money that is motivating the desire to stay on home shores. It’s also a concern for the climate, and a desire to reduce our carbon footprint.
Sustainability is at the forefront of many people’s consciousness as they look to get away without causing environmental or economic disruption.
Caravaning, camper vans, glamping – these getaways are growing in popularity. Tourists can explore what the UK has to offer, without necessarily needing to go full ‘Bear Grills’.
Finding fun in the outdoors has many guises and the introduction of solar panels, renewable materials and cutting edge technology is helping to keep it planet friendly too.
New approaches
Whilst caravanning at home can cut down the carbon footprint of a holiday, saving in aviation fuel and the huge environmental footprint that comes with most hotels and leisure infrastructure, there are still sustainability issues to be addressed.
For instance, further innovations are needed in order to cut down the weight of the caravan, use more sustainable materials, and importantly, build caravans to stand the test of time. Another consideration is, once the caravan has reached its lifespan, what will happen to it? Will it be condemned to landfill?
One caravan company is helping lead the charge in bringing caravan manufacturing into the 21st century. Ten years ago South West England based leisure vehicle manufacturer Bailey of Bristol introduced their own patented body shell construction system in order to create a shell that will endure the harshest of conditions, and stand the test of time. Saving the caravan from its end of life for as long as possible.
Whatsmore, the touring caravans company makes leisure vehicles that are 75% recyclable at end-of-life. A vast improvement in a sector that traditionally relies on man-made, non-recyclable materials.
In fact, the company use renewable materials everywhere they can, including FSC certified timber sourced from sustainable forests, water based solvent-free adhesives in the body shell panel construction process, recycled composite plastic body shell panel framework extrusions and recyclable paper coated plywood furniture board in the manufacturing process.
Built to be more sustainable, the leisure vehicles are specified to enhance the enjoyment of the great outdoors but reduce their impact upon it. The Alu-Tech bodyshell, combines with efficient modern heating systems to allow people to use their vehicles all-year round, but minimizing the amount of power required to do so.
In addition, all motorhomes and most caravans come with a solar panel fitted as standard and a premium leisure battery to provide greater capacity for off-grid adventures.
The other benefits of a reducing weight
A spokesperson at Bailey of Bristol told us: “The less a vehicle weighs the better it is for the environment through the resulting reduction in engine emissions (and fuel).”
“Commercially it makes sense to manufacture products that are as light as possible too. This ensures they are available to the widest potential audience, based upon the driving licence they hold and, in the case of caravans, the tow vehicle they own.”
“At Bailey we have led the way in this area with a weight reduction programme that makes our products some of the lightest currently available, thus optimizing fuel efficiency to make them more environmentally friendly as well as more economical to own.”
Sustainable holidays
Of course, there are more sustainable holidays than caravanning holidays. Some people warn against travelling at all.
However, caravanning is certainly becoming a more sustainable choice for those who want a break from their surroundings, but still require some level of comfort. Particularly as electric vehicles with towing capability are entering the market.
Once you arrive at your destination, caravan and camping holidays are typically low impact compared to other holidays, with many people enjoying the free things life has to offer – including walking, wild swimming, or just soaking up an amazing view with a cup of tea.
With the event of home working becoming the norm, some people are opting to live a low-impact semi-nomadic caravaning lifestyle, meaning they really do enjoy bang for their buck.
Caravaning is certainly heading in the right direction when it comes to sustainable holidays, and long may the innovation continue.
