Every year, as summer approaches, many individuals contemplate spending their time during the season. A zero waste picnic is a great option for those of us who are conscious of waste and want to reduce our negative impact on the environment. To make your zero waste picnic experience memorable and fun, we have created this list of 15 zero waste picnic ideas that will help you create an Eco-friendly and healthy outing for all involved!
Table of Contents
Use your tableware
Bring reusable plates, cups, cutlery, and napkins instead of using disposable ones. You’ll also never have to worry about cleaners being needed for stains again! Don’t forget a bottle opener and cloth napkin ring holders. Just remember not to pack anything with strong odors as most animals dislike this smell and might avoid your spot altogether (especially cats). A good idea is to take cling wrap or aluminum foil along with you, just in case you’ll need to cover some food.
Ditch the disposable containers
There are many cute dishes and reusable boxes with lids available at second-hand stores or online. You can make your pate, hummus, coleslaw, or anything else you want to bring along. This way, you can also reuse old jars for pickles, jams, and salad dressings (be aware of their expiration date). Another idea is taking large zip-lock bags that you can fill with fruit or veggie snacks for on the go. No need to worry about extra Tupperware cluttering up your car trunk! Just remember to label them clearly, so nobody mistakes them for trash (or more delicious food).
Bring your cup
If you’re buying something to drink, take a reusable bottle or cup. If it’s warm outside, you could also try taking along an inflatable Popsicle maker that can be filled with fruit juice. Ask for no straw and avoid using plastic bags by bringing along your cloth carry bag. When ordering take-out for everyone, make sure to order one extra drink without a lid (so the cashier has to write the price on the cup) and ask for no straw or plastic cutlery. You might even win some ’employee of the month’ points if you’re lucky! For places not allowing refills, use an eco- alternative like stainless steel or glass.
Take reusable utensils with you.
If you’re packing a desert, put all the ingredients separately in ziplock bags and then assemble it at the spot. This way, you won’t have to worry about bringing additional cutlery or plates. If you order takeout, make sure to ask for no plastic utensils (unless they don’t even provide any wooden ones). You can also bring along your sandwich container for leftovers if needed. Another idea is cutting up fruits like melon and strawberries ahead of time and placing them in small containers to save space. Just be careful not to leave them unattended as some animals might like this too (obviously not dogs or cats, though!)
Pack some zero waste snacks
If you’re bringing a salad, pack it separately in a jar and add the dressing just before serving. Instead of buying pre-made sandwiches, cut up some veggies and meats at home and place them on a roll with mustard or hummus. If you have little ones along, consider packing individual cups of yogurt to add their toppings later. Another easy idea is mixing trail mix with different kinds of dried fruits, nuts, and granola, so no extra packaging is required. Don’t forget to pack some wet wipes for sticky hands too!
Wrap your goods in biodegradable material
When going zero-w camping or hiking, it can be extremely useful to use tinfoil or parchment paper instead of plastic wrap. Wipes, wet wipes, and reusable napkins are great for packing any leftovers too! You could also think about bringing along some bubble wrap (like the eco-friendly kind), so you can pop away on your way home without attracting pests. Just remember that picnic spots with lots of birds will need additional biodegradable material to cover food at all times.
Reusable plates and cutlery
Environmentally friendly reusable plates, glasses, cutlery, and mugs are a great way to keep on top of your disposable plastic use. Check out our article on how you can find eco-friendly alternatives if you have not already done so.
Take advantage of the outdoors.
The best thing about going on a picnic can enjoy nature’s finest offerings – fresh air, sunshine, and greenery beg to be appreciated when you’re having a break from routine life. So, pick a spot that’s well away from roads and try to find one that you can access without passing through any areas that could be classed as an ecosystem. If you’re not sure, try asking, “Would I be allowed to camp here?”
Compost your waste
If you’re having a picnic in the great outdoors, then it makes sense to think about composting! Composting is nature’s way of recycling – all organic matter will eventually break down into fertile soil again. Food waste is no exception to this rule, so taking it along with you on your trip and giving it a chance to break down back home will make a positive contribution to the health of your garden.
Go for a zero-waste menu.
If you’re making your food and drink for the picnic, then you can decide exactly what you’ll be included in beforehand. This means avoiding items that come with unnecessary packagings, such as Clingfilm or bottles of water (you could instead use an old glass jar like this one ). Also, don’t forget to make sure all your dishes are suitable to go in the oven, microwave, and dishwasher – otherwise, they won’t be much use when it comes to cleaning up!
Organic ingredients
Take care about using organic ingredients where possible – not only will their products have benefited from not having been grown with chemical pesticides, but many organic sources also happen to be naturally packaged. For example: if you grow some potatoes in your garden, you can leave them outside in the ground until it’s time to cook them, instead of peeling away their skin and wrapping them up in plastic.
Enjoy a zero-waste picnic.
Why not have a go at making your picnic-ready snacks – check out these delicious recipes for inspiration. Why not serve up some tasty organic burgers or mini pizzas? You could even try using eco-friendly cupcake cases instead of including disposable plates with your food (you can get 2 reusable baking paper liners for about £1 on Amazon). If you’re feeling adventurous, why not make a mezze platter like this one? It looks fantastic! Maybe take along some homemade hummus and pitter bread with some organic veggies to dip in it? If you’re feeling adventurous, then give making your marshmallows a try – they’re perfect for eating around the campfire!
Camping with friends
Going on a camping trip is all about getting people together and enjoying each other’s company, after all, so make sure the main focus isn’t distracted by eco-worries. Instead of cooking individually, why not get everyone involved? A camping cookbook like this one will help no end in getting your creative juices flowing, giving ideas for delicious dinners that can all be prepared easily in foil or via barbeque coals around the campfire. Ensure that when you’re getting your fire started, it gets lit in the right place (check your local guidelines) and that you put it out properly before leaving (if necessary, wetting down the ground where it was to prevent any risk of hot embers).
Recycle glass jars with metal lids
Glass jars with metal lids are perfect for transporting food with you on picnics – they’re easily stackable, so they won’t be difficult to carry around. If you can get hold of some old jam jars, then they’ll look great too – try adding some printed labels to personalize them. They’re also easy to clean, meaning there’s no need to worry about washing up when you come home.
Donate leftovers
If you’ve got a bit more food leftover than you need, why not consider donating it to your local food bank? If this isn’t possible, there are plenty of other options: turn them into compost or give them to neighbors and friends.
Packaging-free shopping
Before going on your picnic, take a look at what packaging is available in the shops near you and pick some alternatives that don’t come with anything unnecessary. For example: if there’s loose fruit and vegetables, then great – add some reusable cotton produce bags to take them home in (avoid plastic ones, since they’re designed to be used only once). Pick up some paper bags instead of using plastic carrier bags too. And never use straws! Try going for a zero-waste picnic and see how much you can cut down on packaging in your life.
Compost leftover food
Don’t forget that any leftover foods, such as apple cores or banana skins, can be composted! Just make sure to add them to the composting bin (or garden bed) before leaving for your picnic, so they don’t get left behind. If you’re lucky enough to live near some woodland, then try taking a look at these wild edibles so that you can enjoy nature’s free treats while out and about.
Final thought
That’s it! We hope these zero-waste picnic ideas inspire you to live without waste. If you’re still on the fence about whether or not living a zero-waste lifestyle is for you, check out our blog post “Is Living Zero Waste Right For You?” and see if any of those questions resonate with your thoughts about how life would be different without disposable plastic. Happy picnicking!
