The Eco-Friendly Way to Road Trip: Sustainable Camper Rentals in Iceland

Global warming and climate change are things we all need to take seriously, but it’s hard to imagine giving up travel completely to do our bit. As a compromise, when we embark on a road trip, we should be mindful of our environmental impact and take steps to balance any negative aspects with positive actions. The good news is that there are things you can do to make your camper van road trip more sustainable, so before you rent your vehicle from Konvin take a look at some of these ideas as food for thought.

Travel off-season

One easy way to boost your eco-credentials is to travel to Iceland outside the summer months. In peak season, the large number of visitors means that there’s increased pressure on the country’s tourist destinations and infrastructure. By utilising the shoulder seasons – spring and autumn – you can help spread the load and yet still enjoy plenty of daylight and (hopefully) decent weather.

Pack light

To move something around takes energy so it follows that the more weight you are carrying, the more you’ll use. Individually it might not seem much, but if every traveller were to cut back on their luggage we could collectively make a difference, both in terms of flying and also ground transport, to fuel consumption and emissions. You’ll also notice benefits to being unencumbered by baggage.

Leave no trace

One of the most important aspects of eco-friendly travel in Iceland is for visitors to ensure they don’t damage fragile vegetation or leave litter in pristine places. Travelling in a Konvin camper van makes it easy to carry our waste out and dispose of it in an appropriate way; it takes very little effort but has a huge impact.

Embrace slow travel

Rushing in and out of a country means that we spend a relatively large proportion of our time travelling around and far less actually enjoying the landscapes themselves. Also, the impact of the flight that most travellers require to get to Iceland is weighted quite heavily. Come for a longer period of time and embrace the ideals of slow travel to have less of an impact, not least by easing off the accelerator and taking things at a more leisurely pace.

Offset your trip

Carbon offsetting, when carried out thoughtfully, can be a way to mitigate against the negative impacts of your trip. Research the projects you intend to support thoroughly to ensure that they are as environmentally-friendly as they claim. For instance, if you’ve flown with Icelandair, one of its carbon offset scheme supports national forest cultivation in consultation with the Icelandic Carbon Fund, Kolviður.

Opt for a hybrid vehicle

If you plan to rent a Konvin camper, you’ll be pleased to learn that we offer a hybrid alternative to the standard petrol or diesel vans. For instance, the capable and versatile Jeep Renegade Trailhawk 4x4 Rooftop Tent (Pop Up) model comes as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. Some of your mileage can be done using the electric motor; it can be conveniently charged at a wide range of charging stations across the country.

Holidays by their very definition are luxuries and have an impact on the environment. Yet by travelling responsibly, making smart decisions and behaving in a more eco-friendly manner, we can all play a small but crucial role as custodians of our planet and ensure we leave as little trace as possible.