Create a sustainable picnic
They’re an Aussie tradition in the warmer months but as people of all ages are gathering on picnic blankets across the country there's been an unfortunate tendency to view picnics as an excuse to transport food in single-use disposable containers, serving it on disposable plates with plastic cutlery and cups – and even worse, to leave waste behind.
1. Reusable Supplies
Reusable supplies are the best way to minimise the risk of leaving behind rubbish. Items like cloth napkins, cloth bags, reusable food containers, and a picnic blanket can substantially reduce waste. Pack homemade food as you would put it in the fridge for storage, using reusable containers with sealable lids or mason jars.
2. Leave the Wedgewood at home but use real plates and cutlery
Using washable dishes and cutlery for a picnic does not require that much more work than disposable ones. Is it really that difficult to stack your dirty plates and cutlery into a cloth bag or shopping tote and wash them at home? If you're worried about ceramic plates chipping, why take lightweight camping plates? Or keep an eye out on local online buy/sell/swap groups for a set that's being given away.
3. Think about the drinks
Can you skip the single-use, single-serve beverage bottles? Fill a large insulated thermos or your reusable water bottles ahead of time. Bring your SodaStream bottles! If there’s really no option but cans or plastic bottles, make sure you take them away and cash them in at a container refund scheme or put them in your kerbside recycling bin.
4. Make your own
The best thing about making picnics? Deciding on the menu! It can be tempting to go with off-the-shelf snacks that are pre-packaged and easy. But your wallet and the planet will thank you if you prepare as much as you can from scratch at home. Reduce packaging and waste by only preparing what you need. If you’re running short of time, take reusable containers to your local deli so you support a small business and minimise packaging.
5. Get loose
Incredibly, some foods have their own wrappers! Say hi to hard boiled eggs, bananas and oranges which can all be transported without packaging. Yes, carrot sticks will be perfect with your homemade beetroot hummus, just be sure to buy them loose, or take your own vegetable bag, to avoid the packaging.
6. Recycle what you can
It’s not just cans and drink containers that can get recycled - chip packets, ice cream wrappers, biscuit and rice cracker packets can all be bundled up and taken to a REDcycle collection bin (at most Coles and Woolworths supermarkets).
7. Take it away!
Leave your picnic venue in pristine condition – if the nearby bins are already full, don’t be a grub and leave your rubbish loose underneath or nearby to be blown away or get torn open – just take it home with you.
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Clean Up Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.