Prepare to Picnic

This summer we’re all looking forward to spending more time in the great outdoors, whether it’s the local park, beach or further afield. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your picnic experience without unduly impacting on the environment.

Inspire Picnic Envy - Bring your own cup/water bottle, cutlery & reusable straw etc. Reusable cups and straws for take-away drinks and self-services helps waste. Takeaway cups, cutlery and condiments are all a cost to businesses, so remember only take what you need. Be sure to check out www.refill.ie to see where you closest water refill spot is and see if you can find a cafe where they will accept your reusable beverage cup by checking www.consciouscup.ie

Make it simple - Some picnic spots are isolated with a long walk to reach them. A great tip to lighten the load is to let your tubs and boxes double up as serving dishes. Lots of school supplies also work well for picnics such as lunch-boxes and water bottles.

Portion size matters - Be realistic about how much food will be eaten, it means less to carry and avoids food waste. Pack the food you like and know you will eat. Also - remember to leave room for ice-cream!

Make your drinks double as ice packs - Freeze water in a container or bottles and it’ll keep your drink chilled. Packed in a picnic, it’ll also help keep your food cool. A good tip is not overfill the bottle before freezing.

Any bag will do - Any bag, backpack or basket is perfect. Pack it with mismatched plates and cutlery, old cushions and blankets etc. and don’t forget your food!

Love Ireland & Don’t Litter - Always use litter bins. Inevitably during busy weekends litter bins will fill up quickly. If this happens, please bring your waste home with you.

Additional Tips:

• Bring an old tea towel which can have multiple uses;
• Avoid sachets and a bring a bottle of your favourite condiment or seasoning with you;
• Avoid single use items;
• Avoid anything that you don't really need, it means less to carry;
• If planning on barbequing be sure you are in a designated area.

Most importantly……have fun!

Sources:

https://livegreen.recyclebank.com/column/the-list/7-ways-to-pack-a-zero-waste-picnic

https://www.thespruceeats.com/top-tips-for-a-successful-picnic-435516

https://www.countryliving.com/life/a35410/picnic-tips/

https://picnictale.com/picnic-checklist/ 

https://www.comestibles.com.au/blog/mastering-the-lost-art-of-picnicking/