We all have an impact on the environment everyday. As a family concerned about the climate crisis, we recognize that van camping has an impact on the environment.
Camping vans help people get out to “green spaces” where we can experience wilderness and the impacts of nature. Research confirms that wilderness improves mental and physical health. National Geographic’s article “This is your Brain on Nature” gives an excellent summary of these benefits. Time Magazine documents the health benefits of “forest bathing” or what is known in Japan as”shinrin-yoku.” And across Europe, medical doctors are prescribing wilderness retreats instead of medicine in some cases, wilderness offers better outcomes.
But ironically, people driving and experiencing wilderness has a big impact on the environment. Our goal is to reduce the impact by maximizing the gas mileage and lifespan of the vehicle, while building fully functional interiors with clean lines and products built from rugged sustainable materials.
Many vans use toxic forms of insulation, materials that off-gas into the small interior air of the van, and build out vans with plastic that will break or chip. Eco-friendly choices are not just better for the environment, they provide superior R-values for insulation, they are more rugged and durable for an active family, and they create a beautiful interior that won’t off-gas.
There is no formal LEED certification for vehicles. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is one of the most popular green building certification programs used worldwide. Developed by the non-profit U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) it includes a set of rating systems for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of green buildings, homes, and neighborhoods that aims to help building owners and operators be environmentally responsible and use resources efficiently. While we will not have official certification, we will use the LEED system to add up points for LEED-certified products used in our VVV design, including the following items:
- Solar energy to run induction stove, fans, refrigerator, water pump, and water heater to reduce use of diesel fuel
- Battle Born batteries are renewable, sustainable green energy batteries. They weigh 1/3 as much as AGM batteries, last for more cycles, and they’re made from 100% safe, non toxic, renewable energy that can be repeatedly charged and discharged
- Most energy-efficient electrical appliances such as the award winning 12volt Dometic CFX40 refrigerator
- Bamboo walls and cabinets that offer the same or greater durability as hardwood, marine plywood but with greater beauty and sustainability of fast-growing, carbon cleaning bamboo
- Richlite (recycled paper) countertop and table made from compressed resin and paper offers greater durability to heat and wear than comparable countertop surfaces, originally developed by the US military and for the aerospace industry
- Recycled, low VOC, LEED standard marine vinyl flooring that offers both waterproof grip, durability, and beauty
- Artisan-made curtains with reflective material and wool insulation to maximize temperature regulation without use of heater
- 5 inch folding mattresses made from 3 inches soy foam and 2 inches dunlop natural latex
- 1 inch Thermacork underlayment to insulate the floor with sustainable cork harvest with high R value insulation
- Havelock wool to insulate the walls and roof that outperforms comparable insulation products by greater R values, water management, sound absorption and unparalleled health and safety
- The Mercedes Sprinter offers the best fuel efficiency van available (how you drive the Sprinter (slow stops, slow accelerations, under 65 MPH) determines the fuel efficiency)