Summer's here! To celebrate the long, hot days, rally your friends or family and pack a picnic. Sierra Club offers tips will help you keep it green.
Tip # 1: Keep it local.
Don't be tempted to drive to your picnic. There's nothing more summery than strapping a basket to the back of your bicycle or strolling to the nearest meadow. Discover the Forest is a handy website by which to find a nearby park, or just open up Google Maps and look for the green patches. You'll be surprised at what pockets of nature you can find just around the block. If you can't get there with muscle power, consider taking public transit or carpooling.
Tip # 2: Eat Your Veggies
Rethink your go-to ham sandwich and make the best of summer’s bountiful produce — meat doesn’t keep well in the sun, anyway. Try vegetarian alternatives like hearty portobello mushroom burgers or a refreshing bean-and-corn salad.
Tip # 3: Keep it Clean
What with chip bags, pop cans, and paper napkins, picnics can create a huge mess. You should leave zero waste on the ground, but you may also try to generate no garbage. It's easy: Bring refillable water bottles, cloth napkins, reusable or biodegradable cutlery and plates, and food in Tupperware containers as opposed to plastic bags. After the party, check around your picnic area and pick up scraps, then bring them home to your compost pile.
Tip # 4: Engage with Nature
Picnics are all about getting your family outdoors. Why not inspire kids' post-meal scampering with a nature scavenger hunt? Challenge them to find five exciting plants or animals, then use a field guide to identify all the critters they discover. If you're enjoying a food coma and just want to gaze at the sky, open up a cloud-spotting book and learn about our atmosphere.
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