The great outdoors of Aotearoa are unmated, but we must do our bit to ensure future generations and visitors get to experience it the way we do now. Here are 5 simple things you can do to limit your impact on the earth when venturing into the outdoors this summer.
1. Human Powered Activities.
The most effective way of making your time in the outdoors more sustainable is by partaking in human-powered activities such as biking, running, and walking. Activities like these allow us to enjoy the outdoors whilst minimising our impact on the earth. As well as benefiting your health and fitness, human-powered activities also allow us to access places and views cars cannot reach. Some of the world’s most spectacular views are reserved for people who go by foot, you can find a link to our favourite hidden gem day walks here.
2. Keep local water sources clean.
In the outdoors, it is important to keep water sources clean and free from pollutants and toxins. Suntan lotions, makeup, and other water-soluble products can pollute rivers, lakes, and ponds harming marine life. Where possible make a conscious effort to use natural products. Camp at least 60 metres away from water sources and make sure to properly dispose of human waste and soapy water by burying them in the soil away from water sources.
3. Reduce Single-use Plastic
While most people never intend to litter, sometimes things fall out of our pockets or rubbish blows away in the wind. Colourful plastics are often mistaken for food by wildlife, and as plastic breaks down it creates microplastics. In the outdoors try to avoid using single-use plastic where possible. This can involve some preparation, such as making homemade meals and snacks before you go instead of store-bought. Other ways to minimise plastic usage are to swap plastic food wrap for beeswax wrap and use reusable cutlery rather than single-use plastic.
4. Leave no trace
The leave no trace principle is the ethos of taking only photos and leaving nothing but footsteps behind. When in the outdoors it is essential to take your rubbish with you, including food waste as it attracts pests that can damage native forests and kill native animals and bird life. Leave no trace also means leaving what you find, it can sometimes be tempting to take home a souvenir but nature is for everyone to enjoy so make sure to leave it as you found it, as to maintain the experience for those that come after.
5. WoolAid
For most consumers there has previously not been a sustainable choice for wound care products, WoolAid offers a solution. WoolAid bandages are adhesive bandages made from merino wool. The fabric of our bandages biodegrades by 90% within four to five months. As well as naturally biodegrading merino wool offers a range of other benefits for wound healing, including its extreme breathability.
WoolAid bandages are now available for purchase at select retailers including Torpedo7’s nationwide both in-store and online, you can find a full list of our retailers here.
