Dealing with Rubbish

This is something the everyone has to deal with, but when you are in a campervan, dealing with everyday “rubbish” is something which needs thought and attention. Done correctly you should be able to deal effectively with the rubbish you collect as you live your campervan life.

So….what do you need to be aware of and what do you need to do to make your life that little bit easier?

1. AVOID CREATING RUBBISH IN THE FIRST PLACE

Seems obvious? But what can you actually do to avoid collating rubbish. These are the things we have learned along the way, from our own experience and from watching what other people do :

Refill water bottles (if you use them) rather than buy new ones

Use reusable containers, mugs and cutlery

When buying from a supermarket – firstly choose loose items wherever you can, e.g. fruit/veg.

Where you cannot buy loose, once paid for remove whatever packaging you can and place it in the bins at the supermarket. For example sachets of soup in a box. Take the sachets out and discard the box (in the bin!)

Having a takeaway? Visit the takeaway and take your plates/bowls – ask for it to be served on your own plate. Most WILL do this – saves disposing of cartons and containers

Buy Smart - choose items with minimal packaging

2. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE SOME RUBBISH – WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO WITH IT?

So, despite everything above, we still have some rubbish and not a lot of space to store it. What can we do to minimise the rubbish we do have?

Flatten everything you can – cardboard, tins, plastics. This helps it to take up less space

Non-smelly rubbish - use the ‘out of sight’ spaces to temporarily store it – under the seats, cupboard under the sink, drivers/passenger door pockets – if you have bench seats plenty of space under there!

Smelly rubbish (old food waste etc) – either get a container with a tight fitting lid or use an old carrier bag. Seal it away. This can then go under the seats etc

***TOP TIP***

- very often there is a small space to squeeze in such rubbish in the compartment where

your toilet cassette lives (again if you have one). You can fit in a small bag of rubbish with the cassette.

Compostable Items – again seal in a carrier bag (or similar) ready to dispose of later.karensimoncampervanadventures.com

3. DISPOSING OF YOUR RUBBISH ETHICALLY AND PROPERLY

Never be tempted to throw your rubbish where it should not be. Use proper bins and dispose of it properly, legally and ethically.

Supermarkets – general waste bins and recycling bins

Garages / Petrol Stations – they all have bins (especially useful if you’re fuelling up / using the shop)

Industrial Estates – business bins – always ASK FIRST – but we’ve never had anyone say no!

Layby Bins – don’t abuse them – put in what fits

Motorway Service Station bins – general waste and recycling

Campsites – for a fee most will let you dump your rubbish (and also fill with water and dispose of grey and

black waste) – sometimes it’s worth booking in for a night at a campsite to use all the facilities.

Aires – although there are not that many in the UK, this is a growing service.

Look on Britstops, Park4Night and CAMpRA for what is around

Compostable waste – dig a hole and bury it (choose your location! Not in someone’s front garden). Make sure it is ‘compostable’ – NO plastics, nothing that doesn’t naturally rot away. Check google for what is compostable if you’re unsure

***Be VERY careful with street bins. They are for ‘litter’ only. NOT for general/household waste. There are stories of people being fined for using street bins for what is classed as ‘non-litter’ ***

Local ‘tip’ or household recycling centres – often troublesome if in a van, but check the local council website.