How to build more eco-friendly campsite or glampsite washrooms

If you run a campsite or glampsite, you’ll know that top-quality facilities are absolutely crucial to impress your guests, and an important way you can do this is through sustainability. ​

As we become more aware of our impact on the planet, more and more travellers are prioritising green credentials, especially in commercial spaces. That is why sustainability should be at the heart of your washroom refurbishment project.

By making some changes, even small ones, you can build more eco-friendly bathrooms and facilities for your guests to enjoy. And, in doing so, you can save yourself money in the long-term, making this better for the planet and your bank balance.

So, with that in mind, here are some of the simplest ways you can make your campsite or glampsite washrooms more sustainable, efficient and attractive to your guests.

1. Use less, waste less water

Water is often the biggest environmental cost in washrooms; therefore, reducing your water consumption is key. There are several ways you can do this:

Taps

Choosing low-flow taps with regulators or aerators can significantly reduce water usage without impacting the user experience. Similarly, sensor taps will only run when hands are present, cutting wasted water and ensuring taps aren’t left on unnecessarily.

Toilets

Similarly, dual-flush or low-flush toilets offer a half-flush option to save litres of water per usage, and urinals with waterless or low-flush options can be used to minimise water usage.

Recycled water systems

Greywater reuse is ideal in larger or more permanent campsites where reused (lightly soiled) sink water can be used to flush toilets.

Alternatively, rainwater harvesting can be used to capture rainfall and direct it to the washroom plumbing for toilet flushing or cleaning, or possibly even used for irrigation of the plants and green spaces.

2. Reduce your energy usage

Running water isn't the only aspect of your washrooms that can impact the planet; hot water, ventilation, and lighting are the main energy loads in these spaces and can be reduced using:

• On-demand water heaters that produce hot water only when needed, instead of running a large boiler to keep water hot all day

• Efficient ventilation with heat recovery can reclaim warmth from the outgoing air and reduce heating needs

• LED lighting and energy-efficient controls, such as daylight sensors and motion detectors, can minimise your electricity usage

• Timed lighting systems can also be used for periods of low usage (night or off-season) and can reduce energy input and switch systems off safely

3. Choose sustainable materials and fixtures

Incorporating durable, eco-friendly materials into your washroom design from the start will reduce waste over the lifetime of your campsite washrooms and make your facilities more sustainable.

Recycled or responsibly sourced surfaces, such as recycled plastic, reclaimed wood or composite panels for toilet cubicles, is a great place to start. These need to be strong enough to avoid staining and the build up of mould or mildew.

This will reduce the amount of repairs or replacements needed over time, which also reduces your environmental impact.

4. Maximise layout, access and eduction

Some of the biggest changes you can make to your washrooms are considering your layout and optimising this for maximum sustainability.

For example, by minimising long pipe runs, you can reduce water pressure loss and group wet zones to share plumbing and ventilation efficiently.

Not only this, but dual-entry or shared hand-wash zones towards the entry/exit of your bathrooms means that hand-wash stations can serve multiple toilet cubicles, cutting redundant taps or basins.

Lastly, user education and signage can really help. By including small signs that remind users to turn off taps and showers to conserve water, as well as signs for sorting waste into the correct bins, you can reduce waste without having to lift a finger.

5. Consider waste management and recycling

Washrooms generate waste, particularly paper, packaging and hygiene products. Carefully planning disposal and recycling points can enhance sustainability and encourage your guests to think carefully about how they dispose of their waste.

Make sure to provide recycling bins and clearly labelled waste points for sanitary items. As mentioned earlier, clear signage will help users dispose properly.

You could also choose recycled-content toilet paper, hand towels or tissues, wherever possible, along with biodegradable and eco-friendly cleaning products. This is a great way to reduce chemical runoff into the surrounding environment and keep guests safe.

Lots of campsites and glampsites like to provide amenities for their guests, and if you choose to do this, make sure you avoid individual single-use bottles and use refillable bulk dispensers instead. This cuts plastic waste and reduces the frequency of restocking, which can save you time and money.

6. Plan for maintenance and upkeep

Sustainability is not just about the initial design or refurbishment; it’s about how the facility performs over the years. You want to do all you can to make maintaining your washrooms as simple and easy as possible, while avoiding the need to replace fixtures and fittings as much as possible.

In order to do this, you should conduct routine inspections and leak detection. Even small drips waste water over time, so regular checks prevent long-term loss and waste.

Not only this, but scheduling regular light refurbishments, such as resealing and retouching, reduces the need for full replacement and extends the life of your facilities. You can schedule these for the times when your campsite or glampsite is closed or during quieter seasons, to minimise disruption to your guests.

Is it time you made your campsite or glampsite washrooms more eco-friendly?

If your campsite washrooms could use an upgrade, we can help. Working with the team at Cr8tive Washrooms, we can help to redesign and upgrade your facilities, creating more eco-friendly, comfortable and usable spaces that are sure to impress your guests.

So, if you're ready to make sustainable changes to your washrooms, get in touch with the team today to get started.