Low-Waste Picnics and Days Out

A bit of packing ahead avoids single-use plastic and leaves parks and beaches as you found them.

Written by Theo Lindqvist

Days out often create a surprising amount of rubbish โ€” wrappers, bottles, disposable cutlery, and barbecue trays.

A small reusable picnic kit makes low-waste outings easy.

Pack a kit

  • Reusable containers and wraps
  • Bottles or a flask
  • Real cutlery and cloth napkins
  • A bag for rubbish and recycling to take home

Food that travels well

Choose food that does not need lots of packaging: homemade sandwiches, salads in jars, fruit, and snacks decanted from larger bags. Keep it cool with a reusable ice pack.

Avoid disposable barbecues

Disposable barbecues create waste and cause fires and scorched grass. Many parks and beaches ban them. If barbecues are allowed, use designated areas and a reusable grill.

Leave no trace

Take everything home if bins are full, pick up a few extra bits of litter, and keep dogs under control near wildlife.

This is general sustainability information. Recycling, composting, and disposal rules vary by municipality โ€” check local guidance. Cost and energy savings are estimates and depend on your home and usage.

Greenwisp

Recycling and composting rules differ between councils and cities โ€” check with your local waste service.

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