Going RVing can be as green as you want it to be. (Clipart.com)

Going RVing can be as green as you want it to be.

Alana Fontaine, spokeswoman for Go RVing Canada, says more RVers are asking how they can enjoy their vacations without leaving a big ecological footprint.

The solution, she says, is simply to have an open mind and make some small, easy changes. For one, try camping close to home.

"Gasoline prices and emissions, of course, are becoming huge topics of conversation these days," Fontaine says.

"So RVers are starting to monitor their trips more. They're staying on the roads less and staying parked at campgrounds longer."

By going to nearby campgrounds and spending more time relaxing and enjoying the amenities, RVers reduce the amount of fuel they burn, lowering both their carbon emissions and the amount of money leaving their pocketbooks.

Another easy way to conserve fuel and energy? Get a tune-up.

A well-maintained RV is not only safer, it's also more efficient. Fontaine also recommends driving your RV only on roads that are equipped to handle its weight and width - in other words, avoid narrow, unpaved side roads or off-roading.

"That way, you don't risk damaging fragile plants, flowers and other natural things," she says, adding the same principle applies when choosing a campsite.

"Try to park only in specifically designated RV spots, where the terrain is able to accommodate RVs."

When it comes to reducing waste, Fontaine says RVers have a head start over most vacationers, as they can carry reusable dishes and utensils.

"If you think about stopping in to a gas station when you're travelling and seeing garbage cans stuffed to the brim with pop cans and plastic cups and forks and knives and all that, it just shows how much waste there is," she says. "In an RV, you have the option to wash your own plates and cups."

For recyclables such as pop cans, bottles and paper items, it's a good idea to keep them in a blue bag or container in your RV, then drop them off in recycle bins when possible.

These days, many campsites are making it easier for RVers to recycle by providing designated onsite areas for recycling.

To save additional energy while at a campground, try parking your RV in the shade.

Simply pulling in under a big tree can help keep the RV cool and reduce the amount of air conditioning you use.

Essentially, Fontaine says, "it's all about the attitude." "A lot of RVers have that positive attitude to help conserve energy and help the environment in any way they can," she says.

"Contrary to popular belief, RVs are not as harmful to the environment as people might think. It's just a matter of adapting, which is something you can do easily with the freedom and flexibility of RVs."