Zero Waste Van Life: 10 Tips for Living Sustainably on the Road

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Living in a van forces you to think differently – about your waste, your resources, and your habits. When you’re off-grid, every drop of water, every scrap of trash, and every watt of power matters.

We’ve been traveling through over 10 countries aiming to live a zero waste van life. This post isn’t about perfection – it’s about what’s actually worked for us on the road: the tools, habits, and tips that help us reduce our footprint.

Here’s what’s working for us:

Powered by the sun

Solar energy lets us stay off-grid while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Our solar panel kit powers everything we need – lights, fridge, fan, and devices – without the need to plug into the grid.

We only charge things during the day, and we use USB chargers whenever possible to avoid energy loss from power conversion. 

To keep our devices topped up during the day or on cloudy days, we carry a portable power bank – a lifesaver when you need to charge phones or cameras without draining the main battery.

Tips from the road:

• Start small with a basic 100W panel if you’re unsure about your energy needs.
• Combine with a deep cycle battery and charge controller for maximum efficiency.
• Park strategically: choose sunny spots during the day and shaded areas at night to reduce cooling needs.

Water hacks that work

We installed a water filter, which gives us clean, safe water wherever we go – whether it’s a public tap, mountain stream, or gas station refill. 

We also installed a water gauge so we always know exactly how much we have left, which helps us stay mindful.

Here are a few more specific tips that help to conserve A LOT of water and have a sustainable van life journey:

• Washing dishes – Keep one bottle filled with 1) liquid dish soap + water and another with 2) clean water. We spray dirty dishes with soapy water, scrub them, and then clean them with the clean water spray bottle. This trick saves SO MUCH water. 
• Reusing water & using exactly how much we need – For example, when we boil tofu, we then keep the water to cook noodles. When we cook noodles, we first boil the water in the kettle, and then we use exactly the amount we need for the noodles.
• Cook one-pot meals – It’s simple, sustainable, and saves both water and fuel.
• Camp, gym & gas station showers – Most are pay-by-the-minute so we take quick showers, which saves water and money.
• DIY wet wipes & body spray – Between showers, we clean ourselves up with DIY wipes we made out of cloth squares and a DIY spray. It’s refreshing and works well, without wasteful disposable wipes.

Greywater systems for the win

Managing your wastewater responsibly keeps your van eco-friendly and avoids contaminating natural areas. This means:

• Use natural dish soap. We buy refillable natural ones from bulk stores we find on the road to keep things gentle.
• Never use any harsh chemicals or detergents that can harm plants, soil, and waterways.
• Even though our greywater is generally safe because we use natural soaps, we still dispose of it only at designated safe places with proper facilities for camper greywater.

Waterless, chemical-free toilet

We use a dry toilet, and while emptying it isn’t the most fun part of van life, it’s much more sustainable than conventional systems and worth the effort. This means:

• It’s waterless, so we avoid flushing away 6-12 liters per flush – the average for a household toilet.
• We use recycled or bamboo toilet paper, and when we can, plastic-free options.
• For a clean bum, we use Wype – a refillable, water-based bum-cleaning gel.
• We also make our own DIY toilet spray with baking soda, distilled water, and essential oils – it works perfectly for odor control and it’s completely natural.

Bulk & plastic-free grocery

Grocery shopping on the road can be tricky if you want to avoid packaging – but it’s doable with a bit of planning.

• When we pass through big cities, we stock up at bulk stores.
• We buy our fruit and veg plastic-free, even from supermarkets.
• We plan weekly meals so we avoid waste, buy what we need, and make the most of local, seasonal produce.
• We use jars, cloth bags, and containers to store everything – they’re reusable, space-saving, and help keep food organized in a tiny kitchen.
• We also try to keep a stash of dried staples like legumes, grains, and nuts to reduce packaging and food waste.

Natural products & cleaning

When you’re dumping greywater into nature, it matters what’s in it. That’s why we use natural, biodegradable products – for both us and the van. Here’s what we use:

• Natural oils for face and hair care
• Shampoo bars & conditioner bars
• Natural body soap
• Safety razor
• Natural dish soap
• Natural all-purpose cleaner (vinegar + essential oils + water)
• Reusable cotton & bamboo cloths for cleaning  

Serious about trash disposal 

About the trash we produce, we try to be smart with the limited space we have. Here’s how we manage it:

• Use a small bin for recyclables – We flatten cans, boxes, and bottles to save space.
• Keep a compact compost container – To collect food scraps.
• Avoid plastic liners – Easy, by rinsing and reusing our bin.
• Regular stops at local recycling centers – We try to properly dispose of all recyclables and compost.
• Keep trash to a minimum – Our sorting means we only produce one small trash bag every 5-6 days.

Slow travel = less fuel

Slowing down your pace on the road isn’t just good for the environment – it’s better for your budget and your mind.

• We minimize our fuel use by choosing to walk, rent bikes, or use public transport for local errands and exploring.
• Moving slowly means we often discover small, off-the-beaten-path spots that aren’t overwhelmed by tourists – perfect for a quiet, genuine experience.
• We plan routes to reduce unnecessary driving.
• We take the scenic route often – not just cuz it’s prettier, but because driving at a relaxed pace on quieter roads can use less fuel and produce fewer emissions than speeding down highways.

DIY-ing natural products

We like to make our own cleaning and personal care products – it is a great way to save money and reduce waste. We use simple, bulk-bought ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and Castile soap to create everything we need. Here are a few of our favorites:

• All-purpose cleaner: Mix vinegar, water, and lemon peels for a natural, effective cleaner.
• DIY body cleaner: silver, witch hazel, distilled water, lavender essential oil.
• Tooth powder: Blend baking soda, bentonite clay, and a few drops of essential oil for a gentle, zero-waste alternative to toothpaste.

Fav tools for sustainable van life

• Park4Night — The one we used the most. A go-to app for finding showers, water refill stations, safe greywater disposal spots, and legal camping areas.
• Campercontact — Useful for locating camper service points, including waste disposal and water refill stations across Europe.
• Xe — Essential for managing currency exchange rates when traveling internationally.
• HappyCow — Helps find vegan and veggie-friendly food options on the road.  
• Flush App — Helps locate nearby public restrooms when nature calls.
• AllTrails — Perfect for finding hiking trails and outdoor activities to explore sustainably.
• Solar Charge Controller Monitor App — Useful for monitoring your solar system’s performance in real-time.

Final thoughts

Vanlife isn’t perfectly sustainable. But nothing truly is. And it offers a chance to live more intentionally. 

With the right tools, small habits, and thoughtful planning, you can reduce your impact while still enjoying the freedom of the road.

These are the things that have worked for us. Some were easy, others took trial and error, but all of them helped us to live a sustainable van life that align with our values. If you’re just getting into it, start small – even one change makes a difference.

Are there tips or tricks that have helped you live more sustainably on the road? Share in the comments below!