It’s Picnic Time!

Who doesn’t love a picnic? Picnics are a great way to enjoy the outdoors while spending time with friends and family. Picnics are great at the park or beach, where after you eat, you can play with the kids or just enjoy the scenery. It is the ultimate stress buster! But don’t forget when your planning that adventure outdoors to put a little “green” in the basket.

Here are some easy ways to green up your next outing.

Choose a Location Near You

Hosting your own picnic? Choose a picnic site close to home, and walk or bike to your picnic location instead of driving. Look for a green space nearby — a local park, a sports field, a Conservancy preserve or a friend’s backyard!

Use Re-Usable or Compostable Serveware

Instead of packing paper plates and disposable utensils, pack serveware that you can wash and use again and encourage your guests to do the same. If this won’t work, many brands are now offering compostable plates and silverware.

Bring Healthy Foods

The lower a food is on the food chain, the lower its impact on the environment. For example, it takes about 634 gallons of water to make a hamburger. So, add more fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes to your picnic meal — those things are good for you and the planet!

Pack Local, In-Season Ingredients

Nothing ruins an eating-well high in the U.S. faster than seeing a sticker on your apple that says New Zealand.  Prevent the shipping-around-the-world blues by picking up your produce from a local farmer’s market.

Lose the Napkins

No one wants to walk around with mustard on her face, but paper napkins aren’t the answer. Use the picnic as an opportunity to use that cute gingham handkerchief that came with your cowboy Halloween costume five years ago. Or, you know, any old cloth napkin will do.

Compost and Recycle Your Trash

We’re betting someone at your picnic has a compost bin (Are you ready to give it a try? It’s easy!). Enlist that person to take home all the compostable scraps from the event, and another person to collect any recyclables.

Clean Your Picnic Site

A good picnicker is one that doesn’t leave trash at his picnic site. A great picnicker is one who picks up trash at this picnic site. Use the picnic as an opportunity to make your local green space just a little greener.

Enjoy Nature

Once your meal is over, take some time to enjoy your natural setting. Take a hike, go bird-watching or just sit back and enjoy the sounds of nature.

Courtesy of Nature Conservancy