Having an outdoor meal is always fun but can also be damaging to the planet if not planned conscientiously. Just imagine the heaps of eco unfriendly litter, such as plastic cups; disposable plates and utensils lazy picnickers leave behind after a lovely picnic day. Nevertheless, it doesn t mean you can t have a happy and green picnic at the beach or at the park.
There are tons of ways you can have a green picnic without spoiling the fun. Find out some of the environmentally friendly picnic ideas below:
Go local – Start loving your own! Why not explore your local neighborhood for nice outdoor gathering spots? Ask your town or city hall to get more information about local parks, trails, and other possible picnic areas. Perhaps, you can also choose other travel means like walking, biking, or taking public transportation to conserve resources and minimize pollutants. Now, for a huge picnic event, carpool with another person or family whenever possible. Doing this saves lots of energy and enriches your knowledge about your local community.
Choose an eco friendly picnic basket – Go for a nifty, eco friendly basket that is made from natural and renewable resources. But before buying one, ask yourself if you are an ardent outdoor person. Otherwise, you can always use a backpack, duffel bag, or a reusable shopping bag instead.
Opt for reusables – If you haven’t noticed it yet, disposable plates and utensils are such a big source of waste at most picnics. There are just too many plastics and papers everywhere you look. Nevertheless, you can easily green your picnic supplies by choosing reusable plates, cups, cloth napkins, stainless steel food containers, and utensils. It is definitely much more planet friendly to take home these reusables to be washed than tossing everything in the garbage bin.
Check out your local farmer s market – Local farmer s markets are jewels for any community, as they look after the environment, and constantly offer healthy foods. Enjoy shopping locally grown veggies and fruits in season, and other organic treats, while supporting your local community market.
Prepare organic picnic food – While you can always bring your favorite food and snack, there are numerous classic, organic food items that are easier to prepare, especially when a full kitchen is out of reach. Keep it simple and yummy with vegetarian sandwiches, organic fruit, nuts, cheeses, crackers, wine, and chocolate.
Be a responsible picnicker – Take home all leftovers; pack out all your trash, most especially if there s no place to dispose them of there. Follow the rules of the picnic place if they don t allow grilling, don t do so. If you re in a state park or recreational spot, only eat in the designated areas; you may draw unwanted animals if you don t.
Whether you re planning a picnic to bond with your family or impress a date, you can surely enjoy the outdoors better if you prepare a green inspired picnic feast. So for your next picnic, keep in mind these green picnic tips and get set to spread the blanket.
Author Resource:
Fia is a planet enthusiast and green writer at http://happytiffin.com . Practical, Earth-Friendly, and Stylishly Hip!