Food
Store-bought food almost inevitably comes wrapped in some kind of plastic. Snack wrappers, cling film, and dehydrated meal pouches are the main culprits. To avoid this, make your own food and store it in reusable receptables. Beeswax wraps, silicone resealable bags, and old plastic bags are great options. Avoid using paper bags that can tear or promote moisture. Maybe it’s not as quick and easy as grabbing a camp meal from your local shop, but it’s better for the planet’s health (and yours too).

When buying food for your trips, you can avoid a lot of plastic by buying from dispensaries and the bulk section of supermarkets. Again, this does take a little bit more effort, but it’s worth it. Take your own containers, be it old bags or nut milk bags.

Water
If you’re heading out for more than a day, check whether the water sources are safe to drink from. If not, boil water before consumption or get a water filter. This creates less waste than using water purification tablets. Stainless-steel bottles are great for the environment because they last a lifetime and don’t leach plastics. However, they’re heavy and don’t usually have much capacity. Collapsible or soft-sided reservoirs may be more convenient for active outings.
Bathroom
When going to the toilet in the backcountry, you should dig a cathole, do your business into it, and then cover it back up. If you must use toilet paper, use non-perfumed toilet paper and bury it in the cathole, or pack it out. Or, to really make it zero-waste, use natural toilet paper: Moss works particularly well.
Hygiene
If you’re in the backcountry, then how clean do you really need to be? You can most likely wait until you get home to shower. And don’t be fooled by biodegradable wet wipes, which take a very long time to break down. If possible, have a dunk in the ocean or a lake, river, or stream (assuming swimming is allowed). You can use a small amount of biodegradable soap, although any grey water must be disposed of at least 200 metres from alpine lakes and streams. If you use soap sparingly, then a small bottle can last years, after which it can be refilled at a dispensary.

For other hygiene, opt for a bamboo toothbrush, and decant dispensary toothpaste and deodorant into travel-sized containers for convenience. For feminine hygiene, try a Diva Cup or similar reusable product, ensuring you never have to throw away tampons or sanitary pads again.

Gear
When it comes to gear, the best philosophy is to buy once and buy well. If you get quality goods, then they’re much more likely to last. Also be sure to look after your products. Dry out your gear and store it properly. These practices promote longevity.

Opt for items that are reusable. Rather than a single-use plastic spoon, take a spork or stainless-steel cutlery, and don’t be afraid to grab these items straight from your home cutlery drawer. Remember that outdoor gear doesn’t need to be fancy—you might find long-lasting items from your local thrift shop.

Dogs
While most of us love encountering a furry friend on the trails, we likely don’t love witnessing abandoned poop bags on the trails. Additionally, while many pet waste products claim to be biodegradable, this process takes many years. If your dog poops, either bag it up and pack it out with you, or dig a hole and bury it, like you would with human waste.

Transportation
Even if you stick to the above advice, one thing will undo all your good work: Driving to the trailhead. For most of us, this will be the biggest source of carbon emissions when camping or heading out for a hike. Instead, if you’re able, cycle to trailheads that are within a reasonable distance. You’ll be amazed at what you can reach without a vehicle. If this is a step too far, consider public transport or car-sharing instead. 

This article was edited for length and republished with permission from herwildway.com.

You may also like: Healthy and Sustainable Foods for Hiking

Read This Story in Our 2024 Summer Outdoor & Travel Issue
Featuring Canadian Taekwondo Olympian, Skylar Park. Must-visit adventure destinations across Canada. Your best trail running season ever with FAQs and threshold training plans. How (and why) gravel biking can rule your summer. Essential preparation to stay injury-free during hikes. Zero-waste your hiking and camping trips like a pro. Treat yourself with a Rustic Strawberry Chocolate Tart or Dairy-Free Vanilla Ice Cream, and so much more.

It is often said that the world is our playground, and trail runners certainly like to experience the adventure of the great outdoors. However, no one likes to play in a neglected space, and when nearly two million runners are hitting the trails, it’s important to have sustainability front of mind. So, we’ve compiled a few tips to help you become a sustainable trail runner where you can make a difference.

1) Be a Plogger

For those of you who are not fluent in Swedish, plogging is a movement that originated in Sweden for picking up trash while jogging. Grab a bag and glove (or a collapsible trash grabber) and hit the trails, picking up a few pieces of litter along your run. 

2) Donate Your Old Gear 

We all love activewear. How could we not? Unfortunately, most activewear is made from synthetic materials, which cause plastic pollution and are not biodegradable. Be kind to the environment and donate your clean, old activewear when you are ready for an upgrade. When buying new gear, look for products made of natural fibers such as wool – which is also naturally antimicrobial.

3) Minimize Travel

Another thing we all love – travel. Adventuring to the next big trail and race is part of the excitement for trail runners. However, when possible, explore the trails that are close to home. If you’re lucky enough to live in a region blessed with great trail systems, take your e-bike or public transportation to the trailhead rather than your car. If driving, carpool and enjoy the experience with your friends!

4) Support Events Committed to Sustainability 

If you are all about trail running events, try to choose those that are committed to sustainability. Events that aim to minimize their waste or achieve “zero waste” deserve our attention and support. Do your part and gently encourage events to operate with zero-waste in mind if they aren’t already. 

5) What Goes Up Must Come Down

It may be frustrating when you can’t find a trash can on your trail runs, but don’t be tempted to ditch your garbage. Not only does it ruin the pristine beauty of nature, but ditched trash can harm or kill plant growth, and litter can pollute waterways, kill wildlife and pose a fire hazard. Consider carrying a small mesh trash bag on every run.

6) Avoid Plastic & Packaging

It’s common knowledge that single–use plastic water bottles are no friend to the environment. Did you know that it takes up to 1000 years for one plastic bottle to decompose? Let’s start by switching to a reusable glass water bottle, which is good for the environment and eliminates the chances of ingesting dangerous contaminants.

Now it’s time to take things a step further. Instead of buying pre-packaged food, make your own. Ditch those individually-wrapped bars for healthy homemade power bars. Here are a few of our favourite trail recipes:

DIY Snacks for the Trails

Nut Butter Breakfast Cookies

Maple Glazed Nut-free Trail Mix

Baked Peanut Butter & Jam Oat Bars

Lemon Poppy Seed Oat Breakfast Bars

Raw Superfood Granola Bars

Nut Butter-filled Dates

Raw Ginger Orange Power Bites

DIY Fruit & Nut Bars

You May Also Like: A Guide to Zero-Waste Living

— Jane Goodall

We all want to live more sustainable lives and be kinder to the environment. Luckily, there are some easy ways that we can reduce our carbon footprint, and there are small changes we can make to our lifestyles to ensure a healthier planet.

1. Leave No Trace in the Great Outdoors
   Whether it’s a walk in the park or a hike in the mountains, your actions can impact the environment. A simple rule of thumb: if you pack it with you, pack it back out. Bring a bag along with you for your trash, recycling and even compostable items. Mother earth, the wildlife and those that follow you will appreciate it.
2. Minimize Your Food Waste
   Just imagine the time, effort and cost it takes growing food, shipping it around the world, and buying the food with your hard-earned money – not to mention the water and land usage. Only purchase what you know you will be able to consume before food spoils. Consider composting your food scraps. A great DIY project (and chef’s secret) is saving all of your vegetable scraps in a freezer bag in the freezer, and making your own home-made vegetable stock. Simple, healthy, delicious and free.
3. Shop In-Store, Not Online
   Although it’s hard not to love the convenience of online shopping, the effect it has on the environment is hard to deny. The process of packaging, shipping and delivering products to your door contributes in large part to CO^₂ emissions. The vast majority of plastic packaging ends up in landfills, and billions of trees are pulped yearly to produce shipping cartons. Skip the click and shop locally.
4. Consider Alternate Transportation
   E-bikes and electric scooters are a great alternative to cars for getting around the city or running quick errands. They offer a pollution-free, sustainable mode of transportation, not to mention you can enjoy the perk of getting exercise at the same time. Being in the fresh air is a great way to reduce stress and take advantage of a more laid-back commute.
5. Use Glass Jars and Storage Containers
   Glass containers are much more environmentally-friendly than disposable plastic and they last forever. Gone are the days of warped containers from the dishwasher, and unsightly stains – plus they look pretty stylish in your kitchen. Wide mouth mason jars are excellent for storing both dry and liquid ingredients. Heating plastics may also cause dangerous chemicals to leach into your foods. Considering less than 10 per cent of plastics actually get recycled, this is a no-brainer.
6. Purchase and Consume Products that are Eco-Conscious Brands
   Invest in foods and products that are made well and are interested in your health, and the health of the environment. This send a strong signal to their competitors that change is necessary. Look for packaging that displays a recycling symbol, uses natural plant-based ingredients, and is void of chemicals. Ultimately we are all working together to create a healthier self and planet.
7. Skip the Fast-Fashion
   It’s no secret that fast-fashion is detrimental to the environment. The fashion industry is responsible for as much as 10 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions, not to mention the use of toxic dyes and plastic fibres are polluting the water systems. With cheap materials being used to create clothing, the quality does not hold up and therefore, they are replaced more frequently than high-quality garments.
8. Shop at Thrift and Second Hand Stores
   We’ve all done a great job at donating unwanted clothing and other items to second hand stores, but have you considered shopping at them? As we become more aware of how unsustainable it is to buy everything brand new, consider a little treasure-hunting and you will be surprised at what you may find. From designer clothing to furniture and décor, sometimes the thrill of the discovery will even outweigh the bargain price.
9. Shop Seasonally When Possible
   The transportation of food is responsible for six per cent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, according to a study published in the journal, Nature Food. Produce makes up the majority of these emissions due to the demand for out-of-season items and the refrigeration required to transport them. So, fill up your plate with local, readily-available fruits and vegetables when you can to help reduce your carbon footprint.
10. Spread The Plant-Based Message Positively
    Many of us already understand the benefits of a plant-based diet for our health and the well-being of our planet, but it isn’t something that should be pushed upon anyone. It could mean introducing a friend or family member to an incredible dining experience, or favourite recipe. Who doesn’t love great food? Change takes time. Being a good role model and living by example is an excellent place to start.

Interested in eating more plants?

Here’s your inspiration: IMPACT Magazine’s Best of FOOD Edition – over 200 pages of plant-based recipes and nutritional advice from our experts.

The latter has been debated for decades with claims that it is impossible to replicate the complete animal-proteins with plant-based substitutes, but actually you can–it just takes more planning to get all nine essential amino acids. In conjunction with the rise in popularity of plant-based products, studies have shifted from overstating the downsides to being vegetarian or vegan, to finding its many health benefits. Elite athletes such as Venus Williams and Scott Jurek have proved that plant-based diets can improve performance and recovery.

Beyond your own health, dishing up plates full of plants will benefit the health of the environment. Global food production accounts for 35 per cent of all human-made greenhouse gas emissions (that’s almost 19 times the amount of carbon dioxide from the commercial aviation industry), according to a recent University of Illinois study. With animal-products producing twice the amount of emissions than planet-based ones, how you choose to fuel your body can move the needle for your own health and for the planet—without compromising your fitness goals.

Here are five tangible steps you can implement for a healthier you and a healthier planet.

1. Embrace plants, not labels. If the world’s population were to become vegetarian by 2050, we could reduce food-relatedgreenhouse gas emissions by 60 per cent. “Aim for effort over perfection,” says Dr. Anita Vandyke, author of A Zero Waste Life. “Small steps can make a big cumulative difference. Rather than strictly adhering to any diet and labelling it a certain way, it’s best to just be consistent and do your best.” By opting for meatless meals (even if it’s just two days a week), we can reduce risk of heart disease, lower cholesterol, improve gut health and lower mortality rate. If you’ve been holding back for fear that you won’t get enough protein to ensure your gains, rest easy. In a 2022 review of 43 studies, researchers determined plant-based animal product alternatives are healthier than animal products, aiding in weight loss and muscle synthesis. And with the plant-based meat market valued at over $5 billion last year and expected to increase by 19 per cent by 2030, options are only going to continue to improve.
   
2. Go (no) fish. A fresh filet may provide the essential Omega-3 fatty acids which aid heart health among a slew of other benefits, but there is a tiny problem with choosing fish as your main protein source: microplastics. Fifty-one trillion microplastic particles—more than 500 times the number of stars in the Milky Way—are in the sea and likely will make their way on to your plate. While only 0.03 per cent of ocean plastic comes from the now largely banned plastic straws, 10 per cent of all ocean plastic can be attributed to fishing gear from commercial fishing. A study that looked at the three commercially important wild fish from the north east Atlantic Ocean found that 49 per cent have microplastics in their system—32 per cent of which is found in the often-consumed dorsal muscle. By opting to get our omegas and lean protein from walnuts, flaxseeds or chia seeds, we can do our part in reducing the plastic in our bodies and our oceans.
   
3. Eat for the season. Filling up half your plate with local, readily available fruits and vegetables helps reduce your carbon footprint in multiple ways. The transportation of food is responsible for six per cent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, according to a study published in the journal, Nature Food. Produce makes up the majority of these emissions due to the demand for out-of-season items and the refrigeration required to transport them. Eating seasonally helps you get the most nutritional value out of your produce and promotes a healthy microbiome due to a more varied diet. Also, a recent Australian study compared individuals who ate 230 grams of fruits and vegetables to those who consumed 470 grams or more. The individuals in the latter group had 10 per cent lower stress levels.
   
4. Pass on plastic. By shopping the areas of the store with less packaging you’ll be doing both you and the planet a favour. Ultra-processed food (usually packaged in plastic) often contains sugar, artificial ingredients and trans fats that can lead to a plethora of health issues such as heart problems and obesity. Also, researchers found that individuals whose diets consist of more than 20 per cent of ultra-processed foods experience a 28 per cent faster global cognitive decline. When we stick to whole foods we can help reduce the plastic pollution of our aquatic ecosystems and our bodies—the average person ingests a credit card’s weight of microplastics each week, according to new findings by University of Newcastle. “Don’t beat yourself up when you realize that avoiding plastic altogether is virtually impossible,” says Lindura and Dr. Antonia Sappong, co-founders of Plastic Free Toronto. “Single-use plastic has become ubiquitous in our society, so celebrate your small wins and keep it moving.”
   
5. Get creative in the kitchen. How many of your perishables well…perish before you get to them? The average Canadian household throws out 79 kilograms of food each year, according to a 2021 UN Environment Program report. When you go to the grocery store try reducing your shopping list by 30 per cent and check your kitchen stores before heading back to the aisles. When produce is starting to spoil, freeze it for smoothies or future stir fry’s. By getting creative with what’s in our fridge and cooking at home more, we can ensure food is seen as it truly is— a valuable resource for fueling a healthy body.

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Healthy Eating

Read This Story in Our 2022 Fall Fitness & Food Digital Edition

Featuring Brendan Brazier, athlete and pioneer in the plant-based sports nutrition industry. Trail Running 101 – plus this year’s Trail Running Shoe Review. Travel around the world to the top vegan-friendly destinations, recipes and much more!

WHAT IS ZERO-WASTE?
The simple answer: We aim to send nothing to a landfill. We rethink our relationship with resources. We begin to change our lifestyle in a way that we produce a minimal amount of waste.

HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?
It comes down to these five Rs!
• REFUSE what you do not need
• REDUCE what you do need
• REUSE what you consume
• RECYCLE what you cannot refuse
• REDUCE or REUSE, and ROT (compost) the rest

WHAT CAN I DO?
What follows is a list of small but impactful changes you can do right now to begin your journey to minimize waste. I am intentionally offering simple changes, so they don’t seem out of reach. The key point here is don’t feel like you must do everything all at once. Implement one idea and when that feels like second nature, go to the next and so on.
In the wise words of the zero-waste chef Anne-Marie Bonneau: “We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.”

SIMPLE HABITS YOU CAN INCORPORATE INTO EACH DAY
• Buy whole fruits and vegetables instead of prepackaged varieties: pre-packaged apple slices, baby carrots or salad mixes may be convenient, but they are expensive and create a lot of unnecessary trash. Instead, cut your own apples or mix your own salad.
• Eliminate paper towels: this may seem drastic, but it’s not difficult. Replace paper towels with rags for cleaning counters, mirrors and other household surfaces. Cloth napkins can be used in place of the paper variety, too.
• Swap sandwich bags with kitchen towels or stainless containers.
• Buy in bulk and bring your reusable bags to the store.
• If you cannot find it in bulk, find an online supplier, also experiment with bringing your jar to the ice cream shop, a pillowcase to the bakery for your bread, or your bottles to the winery/brewery… or make things from scratch (mustard, salad dressing, hot sauce, jams, orange juice, hummus, cookies, tomatoes sauce).
• Shop the farmer’s market: they’ll take the berry baskets back for reuse. Your veggies will also most likely be free of plastic and stickers.
• Ditch the bottled water. Instead learn to filter your tap water or better yet, find a local natural spring.
• Pack your reusable coffee mug and stainless steel straw when you leave the house. Turning down single-use plastic and disposable cups has never been easier.
• Buy a set of inexpensive silverware, plates, bowls and cups and stop using plastic ones.
• Favour whole plant foods! Not only is a plant-based diet better for both your health and for animals, but it also has the lowest carbon footprint of any dietary lifestyle.

ZERO-WASTE GROCERY SHOPPING
If you don’t have access to a local farmer’s market, I encourage you to take some zero-waste action steps in your local grocery stores. Some things to consider: 
• Take reusable produce and grocery bags to the store. Pro tip: keep a few in your day bag so when you decide last-minute to get groceries on your way home, you’re stocked and ready to go.
• If you forget or don’t have reusable bags, use the paper or compostable bags provided and reuse them at home for composting. 
• Bring your glass jars to fill with different dry goods, nut butter etc. 
• Use mesh produce bags for fruits, veggies, beans, nuts, etc.
• Avoid buying single-serve items (individually packaged) – sure it’s convenient, but it’s also more plastic. 
• For the olive bar, salad bar, or hot food bar – bring your containers (ask to have them weighed by an employee beforehand).
I dare you to care! Your health and the health of our planet depend on your daily choices. Together let’s set ourselves and younger generations up for success.

Zero-Waste Store Listing
Did you know that there’s tons of local stores catering to zero-waste lifestyles? Check out some of these businesses for your zero-waste needs.

The Lower Mainland
The Soap Dispensary and Kitchen Staples, 3718 Main Street, Vancouver
https://www.thesoapdispensary.com/

NADA., 675 E. Broadway, Vancouver
https://www.nadagrocery.com/

Livlite, 807 Powell Street, Vancouver
https://livlite.co/

Unmediocre, 229 Newport Drive, Port Moody
https://unmediocre.com/

Refill Road, Pop Ups at various locations in the Lower Mainland
https://refillroad.com/

Calgary
Without Co., 2115 4 Street SW, Unit 103, Calgary
https://withoutco.com/

Canary, 1225A Kenzington Road NW, Calgary
https://canarygoods.ca/

The Apothecary, 921 9th Avenue SW, Calgary
https://the-apothecary.ca/

Toronto
Unboxed Market, 1263 Dundas Street W, Toronto
https://unboxedmarket.com/

Bare Market, 1480 Danforth Avenue, Toronto
https://baremarket.ca/

Pretty Clean Shop, 3072 Dundas Street W, Toronto
https://www.prettycleanshop.com/

Logan and Finley, 670 Queen Street W, Toronto
https://loganandfinley.com/

The Green Jar Shop, 1061 St. Clair Avenue W, Toronto
https://www.thegreenjarshop.com/

Ecotique, 191 Roncesvalles Avenue, Toronto
https://ecotique.ca/

Lead image by Todd Duncan

Read This Story in Our 2022 Inspiration Digital Edition
Read about Canada’s Top Fitness Trainers 2022. Need new ideas for your next workout. Test your fitness levels and see how you measure up. World-renowned breath expert, Richie Bostock shows us how to breathe correctly, 7 yoga poses for a better sleep, recipes and much more!