Picnics are the perfect way to enjoy life’s simple pleasures. When the sun’s shining there’s nothing better than to grab good food and some company and relax in a picturesque place. And if you need a quick mood boost, a picnic just might do the trick.
It is simple to enjoy a zero-waste picnic with a little preparation. Whether you’re planning for a picnic by yourself or with your family and friends there are easy ways to have a picnic creating little to no waste.
Here are a few tips to make your picnics more eco-friendly.
Prepare your food
Let’s start with the most important part: food! Of course, this depends on personal tastes, but you’ll want food that will pack easily and stay fresh. Sandwiches are a great go-to that you can slide into a silicone bag or simply use a reusable, washable beeswax wrap.
Spreads like hummus and pesto are easy to make at home and can be transported in glass or metal reusable containers.
Easy zero-waste snacks like cucumber and cherry tomatoes can be put into small containers or a divided ‘bento style’ box.
Ditch The Disposables
When you pack a picnic, most people think about convenience. And that’s totally understandable. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t find eco-friendly alternatives.
Wood is a great option for replacements. You can find wooden plates, bowls, and utensils that you can use over and over. Likewise for any food containers. If you are packing sandwiches, check out reusable food wraps like beeswax wrap or silicone bags.
Fill up your reusable water bottles and cups before you head out. And let's not forget the straws! Forget disposable straws and use reusable, metal straws instead.
Leave It Better Than You Found It
If you are following eco-friendly practices for your picnics, you shouldn’t have much or any waste. That means you shouldn’t be leaving anything behind when you leave. But, remember, just because you are Earth-conscious, unfortunately, doesn’t mean everyone is.
If you see trash on the ground, pick it up instead of leaving it there. By helping pick up litter, you are helping the environment and potentially saving any wildlife that might confuse it for food.
Picnics are a fun way to spend time outdoors with your friends and family, but unless you take steps to make your event more sustainable, you only add to the problem of the Earth’s growing waste.
So use these tips to pack up a basket with reusable supplies, and enjoy the beautiful weather!