September is National Preparedness Month, and while most preppers focus on stockpiling gear, food, and tools, there’s a growing movement toward eco-friendly prepping. After all, protecting the planet and preparing your household go hand in hand. Over the years, I’ve learned that prepping sustainably doesn’t just reduce waste—it actually saves money, lightens your pack, and ensures you have long-term, reusable solutions when times get tough.
Here are 10 eco-friendly prepping tips I use in my own home (and bug-out plans) that you can start today:
I’ve relied on my solar lanterns and phone chargers during blackouts more times than I can count. Instead of depending on disposable batteries, these solar devices recharge for free with the sun. Perfect for camping, off-grid living, or when the grid goes dark.
Forget endless cases of bottled water. A reusable water filter bottle or gravity-fed system keeps me hydrated during hikes and emergencies. It’s cleaner, greener, and more reliable than stacking plastic bottles in the garage.
Plastic bags rip and pile up in the trash. Beeswax wraps are reusable, lightweight, and keep leftovers or snacks fresh whether I’m home or bugging out. Bonus: they actually smell nice compared to crinkly plastic.
I’ll admit, the first time I tried a solar oven, I half-expected it to fail. To my surprise, I cooked a pot of rice and beans on a hot summer day—without using a single ounce of fuel. It’s quiet, smokeless, and eco-friendly.
A small solar charger paired with rechargeable batteries has been a game-changer. No more tossing out packs of dead batteries. Instead, I power flashlights, radios, and headlamps on repeat.
In every storm or blackout, my trusty hand-crank radio is my lifeline. It charges with a crank, solar, or USB, making it reliable when power isn’t. No waste, no worry.
I’ve tested compact compost toilets while camping—they’re far less intimidating than they sound. For long-term prepping, these reduce water waste and provide a sustainable alternative when plumbing fails.
Instead of cheap pots that warp, I stick with cast iron. They last forever, work on open flames, and add iron to your food. Plus, they’re one of the few cooking tools that feel as rugged as survival itself.
Collecting rainwater has been a quiet prepping victory for me. With barrels set up outside, I’ve had backup water for the garden, washing, and even filtration when city water lines had issues.
Nothing ruins a prepping night like mosquitoes. Instead of chemical sprays, I keep solar bug zappers in the yard and citronella candles in my kit. They’re reusable, safe, and keep the air (and my skin) free of toxins.
Why This Works for Preppers
Eco-friendly prepping isn’t about being trendy—it’s about being smart. Reusable, renewable tools mean less dependency on fragile supply chains, fewer trips to the store, and more reliable gear when disaster strikes. Plus, it feels good knowing I’m protecting the planet for future generations while preparing for my own survival.
