Plant-based tent and more camping surprises
We discuss four sustainable options for campers, caravans, and tents.
Published on July 22, 2025
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Our DATA+ expert, Elcke Vels, explores AI, cyber security, and Dutch innovation. Her "What if..." column imagines bold scenarios beyond the norm.
Waking up surrounded by greenery, bare feet in the grass: camping means being at one with nature. But our campers, caravans, and tents themselves are often made from materials that are anything but green. Most conventional tents, for example, are covered with synthetic chemicals. That's why we're discussing four sustainable alternatives to campers, caravans, and tents. This story is part of a series of stories in which I delve into innovations in the world of camping.
Old becomes gold
First of all, progress is being made in the world of caravans. At Dutch company Glaravans, for example, old caravans are given a second life. After all, why buy a new caravan when you can give an old one a makeover? Among other things, the company redesigned the old Yvonne Mostard from 1972. It is circular down to the last detail, with sheep's wool insulation, a floor made from recycled PET bottles, a bamboo floor, and solar panels on the roof. Even the cabinet knobs and lights have been reused. Weighing less than 750 kilograms, it is also light enough for an electric car.
Camper from the 3D printer
Did you know that a camper can now roll off a 3D printer? The Ukrainian-German start-up LEMKI Robotix, together with the German company iScale3D, has achieved a remarkable first: the world's first 3D-printed mobile home. The home is made using Fused Granulate Fabrication technology, which combines recycled plastic (equivalent to around 7,400 bottles) with fiberglass for strength. Production is also faster and cheaper, paving the way for affordable and environmentally friendly homes on a large scale.
KarTent
Next up: tents. Most tent fabrics are currently made from polyester or nylon, sometimes with a PVC coating for waterproofing. These materials are particularly popular because of their strength, light weight, and water-repellent properties. However, they are generally not sustainable because they are made from fossil fuels, are poorly biodegradable, and are often difficult to recycle.
Time for a sustainable alternative. Take the KarTent, which stands for ‘cardboard’ and ‘tent’. KarTent's adventure began at Dutch festival campsites, where founders Jan and Wout saw huge quantities of tents being left behind after a festival. Research shows that as many as 1 in 4 tents were left behind on the site, creating a huge mountain of waste with a huge impact on the environment. The solution is a fully recyclable cardboard tent, large enough for two people. The tent is made of strong wood fibers and can easily withstand a heavy downpour. After the festival, the tents are collected so that the cardboard can be reused. There is now also a KarTent Junior, perfect for little camping adventurers.
Credits: KarTent
A 100% plant-based tent
Finally, a noteworthy tent that is not yet on the market. Nordisk designed the Asgard ECO. The tent breaks down completely when placed in the ground. The tent fabric is made from hemp fibers, a plant-based material that is ecological and can be grown and spun quickly.
The tent is treated with beeswax for water protection and is just as breathable as regular cotton tents. All straps and guy lines are made of coconut fiber, and the zippers have been replaced by a loop and a shell. The mesh doors and windows are made from jute, a soft plant-based bast fiber, and the tent is set up with bamboo poles and pegs. With this concept, Nordisk wants to encourage innovative behavior to protect the planet.
So much for camping and sustainable materials. In the next story, we will dive into other innovations in the field of camping.
