Don't be trashy: How to care for your rubbish while camping on Maui
We know it's not a sexy subject, but it's important to be mindful of waste and recycling while enjoying the outdoors on your Maui camping excursion. The infrastructure on the island doesn't make it super easy to be eco-conscious, so we're sharing some tips for reducing your impact and what we're doing to help!
Let's face it – it's not always easy to be green when you're traveling, let alone traveling and camping. It seems like an oxymoron, but oftentimes single-use plastics abound while trash receptacles can be tough to find when you're out exploring.
Here's what you can do:
Re-use food containers and utensils to minimize single-use plastics, or refuse utensils if you know you won't be using them so they don't just end up in a landfill later on.
Separate your trash from recyclables and dispose of them properly at designated areas. Here on Maui island you can bring recyclables to centers that will accept plastic #1 and #2 bottles, glass, aluminum cans and paper/flattened cardboard.
Bring your own reusable water bottle! Not only is it a great option for staying hydrated on during your travels, but it also reduces the use of individual-size plastic water bottles, as you can instead purchase a large container or two of drinking water to have on hand for refills.
Avoid using disposable products like paper plates and cups – those items are provided for you in our camper vans' kitchen kits!
Here's what we're doing to help:
In each of our camper vans' kitchen kits, we provide reusable utensils, plates, and cups so you don't have to pack or purchase disposable options that end up in the trash.
We provide tap water that's safe for brushing your teeth, washing your face and hands and doing the dishes to prevent over-purchasing bottled water; our guests just need to provide drinking water, which can be purchased in larger containers or reusable water bottles can be refilled at many restaurants.
We provide proper receptacles for recycling and trash and, though we encourage our guests to take care of their rubbish before returning their camper van after a trip, we are always happy to dispose of it properly if you can't find the appropriate bins to do so.
For your camper van exploration, we encourage you to pack simply – bring clothing, toiletries and pick up food when you arrive! No need to overdo it, as this is your opportunity to minimize distractions and truly unplug.
You can enjoy an eco-friendly camping experience on Maui while also helping to preserve the island's natural environment. Plus, by reducing your impact, you'll be contributing to the island's efforts to maintain a sustainable future for generations to come. If you haven't read it yet, check out our Malama 'Aina Mantra to understand the pledge we make – and encourage our guests to make – each time our vans hit the road to explore this beautiful island!
