Leave No Trace: keep nature wild
There is something special about arriving at a quiet place outdoors. A clearing between the trees, a stretch of shoreline or a trail that leads away from the noise. We come for the feeling of being close to nature. Looking after that place is part of the experience.
When we leave, the next person should be able to enjoy the same feeling. No wrappers in the grass, no toilet paper behind a tree and no damaged branches marking where we spent the night. Small choices at camp make a difference.
Start before you leave home
Bring a rubbish bag, a separate sealable bag for hygiene waste and a plan for using the toilet. Check the guidance for the place you are visiting, including campsite rules and any fire restrictions. A little preparation makes it easier to do the right thing when you are tired, it is raining or the nearest bin is far away.
Everything you bring needs a way home
Take your rubbish with you, including small pieces that are easy to miss. Food packaging, bottle caps, cigarette ends and bits of cord all count. Food scraps belong in your waste bag too. A banana skin or leftover meal does not belong beside the trail simply because it can break down.
Keep waste secure until you can dispose of it properly. Do not burn rubbish in a campfire. Before leaving, look under your chairs and around the cooking area. If you find a safe piece of litter left by someone else, taking it with you is a useful small gesture.
Yes, that includes toilet paper
Toilet paper behind a rock is still waste left in nature. Use an available toilet whenever you can. Carry a sealable bag for used paper and take it to an appropriate waste bin. Wet wipes, sanitary products and nappies must also come back with you, even when packaging says biodegradable.
If there are no facilities, follow the local guidance for human waste. Some places require you to carry it out using a suitable waste system. Where burial is permitted and the ground is suitable, choose a location well away from water, paths and camping areas, bury the waste properly and cover the hole. Never leave it exposed. Packing out your toilet paper avoids leaving it for other visitors or animals to find.
Let the woodland stay a woodland
Enjoy what is already there. Leave plants, stones and natural objects in place. Choose an established camping spot or a durable surface rather than flattening fresh vegetation. Keep to existing paths where possible and avoid widening them by walking around muddy patches.
Carving and bushcraft are enjoyable skills, but your tools should not leave scars on living trees. Bring suitable material or use material you have permission to use. Avoid cutting branches, digging trenches or building structures that remain after your visit.
Keep fire and washing from leaving a mark
A campfire is optional. Check current restrictions and conditions first, and use a designated fire place where available. If a fire is unsuitable, choose another way to cook or a meal that needs no heat. Never burn waste, and leave only when the fire and embers are completely extinguished and cold.
Keep soap, food scraps and dirty washing water out of lakes and streams. Biodegradable soap still needs proper use. Wash away from natural water sources and follow the site’s disposal guidance.
Give wildlife and other visitors space
Watch animals from a distance and leave them to find their own food. Keep food secure and pets under control. A quiet camp also gives other people room to enjoy the surroundings. Nature is shared by much more than the people passing through it.
Take one last look
Before heading off, pause and look at the place as if you had just arrived. Check for waste, loose equipment and signs of your stay. That last walk around camp is a good habit to share with children and anyone new to outdoor life.
We want to return to places that still feel wild. Leaving them with care is how we help make that possible.
Enjoy your time outside. Give the place the same care you give your adventure.
Further guidance: Naturvårdsverket on outdoor toilet use, camping in Sweden and Leave No Trace on waste. Local guidance may differ.