How To Have An Eco-Friendly Picnic

The warmer months aren’t complete without picnicking under the sun with great views and your favourite foods.

The only downside to this classic British day-out is the aftermath of waste. Many picnic foods come packaged in pointless plastics, which, as we all know, is no good for the planet! So if you’re looking to be more eco-conscious when snacking al fresco this summer, keep on reading for my top tips.

Common chemicals found in sunscreen products are damaging coral reefs and marine life. These harmful chemicals end up in the ocean when you go swimming or even when you take a shower, and they wash down the drain. Healthy coral reefs are an incredibly vital ecosystem - they protect coastlines, provide jobs, encourage tourism, and support diversity. Fortunately, with ocean-friendly sunscreens, you can apply it generously all day long guilt-free! Look out for labels such as reef-safe and organic. 

Sustainable, reusable alternatives are now commonplace; you can likely even pick them up at your local supermarket. And they’re cheaper in the long run because they’re made to last. 

Fight the urge to buy convenience foods and cook from scratch instead - this results in less packaging waste, and you’re less likely to waste something that you’ve taken the time to make yourself. It’s also less expensive, which means you’ll be able to picnic all through the summer and not spend too much of your hard-earned money. 

You cannot recycle cling film, and tin foil is tricky because if it has come into contact with food, it cannot be recycled either - so it’s best to avoid them both. There are plenty of reusable alternatives, for example, silicone lids and paper sandwich bags ( made from tree pulp). Or you can pack all of your food away in sealed containers, which ensures that nothing will be squashed. 

The University of Oxford found that cutting meat and dairy from your diet could reduce your carbon footprint from food by up to 73%. Your picnic can be just as extravagant on a vegan diet. Omitting animal products from your menu is no longer a compromise due to the countless substitutes, from sausage rolls to mini cakes. 

This one’s a given, but it’s important so I’m including it anyway! Make sure to leave the picnic area just as you found it by taking your rubbish and belongings back with you. 

By bringing produce bags to the shops, you can buy loose fruit and vegetables to avoid plastic waste. You can easily find loose produce in supermarkets, but there is also an increasing number of zero-waste stores that allow you to buy all sorts of loose items such as beans and laundry detergent!

You don’t need to go out and buy glass containers if you don’t have them already. You can get creative with other containers around the house instead. Clean out old jam jars and coffee jars, plastic takeaway containers - basically anything sturdy with a secure lid!

It can be tempting to pack way more food and drink than you need because you want to have a beautiful spread for you and your friends to indulge in, which is fine! However, try to have a plan for the leftovers so that nothing goes to waste. Also, there’s no shame in using last night’s leftovers to make something delicious to bring with you. Think of them as ingredients, not leftovers.