Reducing Plastic Use This July: Enjoying an Affordable and Entertaining Outdoor Lunch with Only 5 Essential Changes
Going Green: A Guide to a Zero-Waste Picnic
Planning a picnic doesn't have to mean a spike in waste and plastic consumption. With a few mindful choices, you can enjoy a sustainable, eco-friendly, and zero-waste picnic. Here's how:
Embrace Reusables
Choosing reusable items is key to a plastic-free picnic. Swap disposable cutlery, plates, and cups for durable alternatives like stainless steel or bamboo. Melamine or bamboo plates and durable cups are excellent options. Pack food in glass jars or reusable containers, and don't forget to bring cloth napkins and tote bags for transport.
Mindful Food Choices
Opt for finger foods, fresh fruits, salads, and homemade snacks to minimise packaging waste. Consider dressings in screw-top jars instead of pre-packaged ones.
Waste Management
Bring a dedicated container for compostables, another for recycling or trash. Remember, bins may not always be nearby, so a small bag to collect trash is essential. After the picnic, make sure to leave the area clean or even pick up extra litter to maintain the environment.
Hydrate Sustainably
Glass bottles or reusable bottles are ideal for drinks. For a twist, cold drinks can double as ice packs to keep food fresh. Instead of juice boxes, soda cans, and bottled water, opt for a large jug of fruit-infused water or herbal iced tea.
Stay Informed
Want to stay updated on sustainable living tips? Sign up to receive email updates from our website by sending an email with "Subscribe" in the subject line to [our website]@gmail.com or filling out the form on the website. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Picnic Etiquette
Before packing up, do a quick sweep for any stray crumbs, wrappers, or trash—even if it's not yours. And remember, leave the picnic site as you found it, or better.
With these simple steps, you're well on your way to hosting a delicious, eco-friendly, and zero-waste picnic. Happy picnicking!
- Adopting a reusable lifestyle can significantly reduce waste during a picnic, opt for items like stainless steel or bamboo cutlery, melamine or bamboo plates, reusable containers, cloth napkins, and tote bags.
- To maintain a plastic-free picnic, focus on packaging-free foods such as finger foods, fresh fruits, salads, and homemade snacks.
- To manage waste efficiently, carry separate containers for compostables, recyclables, and trash, and ensure to leave the picnic site clean or even pick up extra litter for the sake of environmental-science.
- Hydration can also be eco-friendly by using glass bottles or reusable bottles for drinks, and consider making fruit-infused water or iced tea instead of consuming products from juice boxes, soda cans, or bottled water.
- For those interested in learning more about sustainable-living, sign up for email updates on our website by sending an email with "Subscribe" in the subject line or filling out the form on the website.
- Picnic etiquette includes doing a quick sweep for any stray crumbs, wrappers, or trash before packing up, and leaving the picnic site as you found it or even Cleaner for the sake of climate-change and the health-and-wellness of future generations.
- By following these steps, you'll be able to host a delicious, eco-friendly, and zero-waste picnic that contributes positively to the environment, outdoors-living, home-and-garden, food-and-drink, and lifestyle.
