3 Easy Tips For A Zero-Waste, Eco-Friendly Picnic

The summer solstice is just around the corner and the weather is getting warmer. That means people are going to start spending more time outdoors and one of the most popular summer activities is picnics.

But, as you may already know, picnics can have a negative impact on the environment. People use paper plates, plasticware, and other one-time use products because it’s easy to clean up. But whether you’re planning for a picnic by yourself or with your family and friends (now that more people are getting vaccinated), 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.

1. Ditch The Disposables

When you pack a picnic, most people think about convenience. Since you’re eating outdoors, taking your regular dishes may seem like a risk you don’t want to take. And that’s totally understandable. BUT, that doesn’t mean you should go rogue on your low-waste lifestyle and take the tossware.

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. Try metal or silicone containers to hold your food. If you are packing sandwiches, check out reusable food wraps or silicone sandwiches and snack bags.

For drinks, avoid grabbing those plastic bottles from the convenience store or even plastic cups. Fill up your own reusable water bottles and cups before you head out. If you must serve soft drinks, try to get the glass bottles instead of the plastic. Just remember to recycle. And do I even need to mention straws? Forget the disposable straws and use metal or silicone instead.

2. Second Hand Cloth Napkins & Picnic Blanket

I know it’s really tempting when you see those adorable picnic blankets being sold in local stores, but consider going to a secondhand store first to see if they have something similar. You could also use an old quilt. My great-grandmother was a quilter and we have tons of her old creations. We usually use these quilts for our family picnics because they are big and (despite their age) sturdy.

Cloth napkins are obviously a replacement for paper napkins, but before you go out and buy brand new, try to find some secondhand. You might even find some beautiful vintage napkins you can only find by shopping used. 

3. 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 just because you weren’t the ones who left it in the first place. 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.