How to have a low waste picnic, without making things awkward

Picnic season is here, and if you’re trying to cut down on plastic and avoid wasting food, eating outdoors suddenly takes a bit more planning. None of it has to be a chore, though. These tips will help you reduce waste on your own or across a whole group, without turning into the picnic police. ## Bring real cutlery This one’s straightforward. A typical picnic can easily involve several bags of single-use cutlery, but it’s just as easy to leave them out. Empty your cutlery drawer into your bag and tell everyone you’ll be supplying it for the group. Your own kitchen knife will also do a far better job on a baguette than a plastic one. ## Invest in reusable cups Bring one for yourself, or enough for everyone. Camping mugs are a good option, and lots of supermarkets stock them at this time of year, so you can often pick some up during a last-minute food shop. If you’re meeting a group, either let them know you’ll bring cups for all or ask everyone to bring their own cup or mug. ## Swap a few food items Strawberries are always a treat, but at the supermarket they tend to come in plastic. To cut down, try your local market for plastic-free berries, or choose fruit that isn’t wrapped in plastic, especially at larger supermarkets. Mangoes, apples and pears all work well, and you can prepare them at home before you set off. ## Get cooking This is the moment to dig out your best banana bread recipe, make a cold pasta salad, blend your own hummus, or bake savoury tarts or muffins. It usually works out cheaper, but it does need a bit of forward planning. ## Use a cooler bag to reduce food waste Most of us have thrown away an almost untouched pot of hummus after it’s spent the day in the sun. A cooler bag keeps your drinks cold and cuts down on wasted food. If you’d rather not buy one, freezer packs in your backpack will do the job just as well. ## Sort your recycling If you’ve deliberately chosen drinks in cans or glass, make sure they don’t end up in a general bin. Bring a bag for any plastic, glass and paper that can be recycled. This works best for smaller gatherings rather than very large groups. ## Extend the invitation Not everyone will be in a position to manage a plastic-free picnic, but you can always invite anyone who’s keen to join in and cut down on waste. More and more people are thinking about their plastic use, so you might be surprised by who’s on board.