{"alias":"blogEntry","byline":"Alanah Reid, Creative Content Producer","standfirst":"If you\u2019re hosting a picnic this summer, we have some handy tips for making it sustainable.","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s National Picnic Week, and there\u2019s no better way to celebrate than heading outdoors, laying out a blanket, and enjoying yummy food in the sunshine with your friends, family or Scout group.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhile having picnics in local parks, in gardens and on beaches, it\u2019s important we look after our natural spaces and help protect our planet.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/17777/teddy_bear_picnic_update.jpg","width":1080,"height":1080,"altText":"Five teddy bears sitting on a red and white picnic blanket in front of a hedge with a tea set and picnic blanket","caption":"These teddy bears are hosting a sustainable picnic with their own tea set and picnic basket.","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003EOur tips for an eco-friendly picnic\u003C/h4\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":false,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAre there green or natural spaces in your local area, such as beaches and woodlands, that\u2019d be suitable for a picnic?\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWalking to your picnic spot, where possible, will reduce your fuel consumption, as well as your carbon footprint. You\u2019ll also be saving your pennies by cutting your fuel and travel costs.\u003Cbr /\u003E\u003Cbr /\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIt\u2019s an opportunity to get to explore your local area and find new routes. Walking or cycling to and from your picnic is also a great way to exercise.\u003Cbr /\u003E\u003Cbr /\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIf you need to travel to find the perfect picnic spot, try to use public transport rather than a car or personal vehicle. You could also car share with your friends and family to reduce the number of cars on the roads.\u003Cbr /\u003E\u003Cbr /\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThis\u0027ll help if parking\u0027s limited near your picnic spot, too!\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","label":"1. Make the most of your local area"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EReusable plates, cutlery and containers are great for helping you do your bit for the environment. Try and avoid single use plastic, such as disposable plates and cups, if you can.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ETry to find bamboo, paper or metal straws, rather than single use plastic ones.\u003Cbr /\u003E\u003Cbr /\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EUse cloth napkins that you can wash and use again.\u003Cbr /\u003E\u003Cbr /\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EBring your own non-breakable items that you use at home, such as reusable plastic plates and cutlery. Make sure to wrap them carefully, and take them all back home with you.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EMake some finger food, such as sandwiches, to reduce the amount of cutlery you need. If you do need cutlery, and can\u2019t bring your own from home, take FSC certified wooden cutlery rather than opting for single use plastic versions.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EStore pre-prepared food and leftovers using reusable wraps or boxes.\u003Cbr /\u003E\u003Cbr /\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EGrab the fruit and veg you\u0027ll need from the \u2018loose\u2019 section of the supermarket to avoid any unnecessary packaging and reduce any food waste.\u003Cbr /\u003E\u003Cbr /\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EPack for your picnic in boxes, baskets or containers you\u2019ve already got at home, instead of plastic bags. You could choose to use a bag for life or canvas bag too.\u003Cbr /\u003E\u003Cbr /\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EQuench your thirst by filling up some reusable water bottles. It\u2019s important to stay hydrated, but try and avoid single use plastic water bottles if you can.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","label":"2. Think reusable"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s tempting to grab everything you need from the supermarket for your picnic, especially when fresh snacks come pre-packaged.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf you want to avoid any unnecessary plastic and package waste, as well as save money, prepare as much as you can at home.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ECould you make homemade sandwiches, soups or cereal bars to bring with you?\u003Cbr /\u003E\u003Cbr /\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIf you\u2019re having a picnic with others, why not split the dishes out between you? One person could make sandwiches, another person could prepare salad, and so on. This\u0027ll stop you having too much of each dish and leave you with less wasted food.\u003Cbr /\u003E\u003Cbr /\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ERemember to consider everyone\u2019s dietary requirements, so nobody\u2019s left out, and food isn\u2019t wasted.\u003Cbr /\u003E\u003Cbr /\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EYou can also support your local farms and the environment by sourcing local ingredients for your picnic. Why not see if there\u0027s a farmer\u2019s market in your area?\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","label":"3. Prepare your food ahead of time"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EMaking your picnic menu more planet-friendly is another way you can help the environment.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EMake fruits and vegetables the staples of your picnic.\u003Cbr /\u003E\u003Cbr /\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWhy not save your food scraps and try to regrow tasty fruits and veggies from them? You could save your tomato and pepper seeds, plant them, and grow your own food at home.\u003Cbr /\u003E\u003Cbr /\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ETry to create an \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/food-for-thought/\u0022\u003Eeco-friendly menu\u003C/a\u003E made of natural foods, which are compostable and leave less waste.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","label":"4. Create a planet-friendly menu"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe key to an eco-friendly picnic is taking all your litter with you and disposing of it responsibly.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ELitter can be harmful to wildlife and make the landscape look untidy, so we should leave our natural spaces as clean as we found them, or even cleaner!\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EFind out if there are recycling facilities, and what the rules are nearby, so you know what you\u2019ll be able to recycle at your spot.\u003Cbr /\u003E\u003Cbr /\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EPrepare clearly labelled recycling bins to bring with you, so you can pick up litter as you go.\u003Cbr /\u003E\u003Cbr /\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ECould you organise some games that involve litter picking? You could make it a competition and award a prize to the person who picks up the most litter. Do stay safe by using gloves or litter pickers if you\u2019re collecting general litter, rather than just your own.\u003Cbr /\u003E\u003Cbr /\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EBring biodegradable bags for your rubbish and have different bags for recycling. Make sure you have a specific bag to put food waste in, so you can try to compost all your food waste, instead of putting it in a bin.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","label":"5. Take your litter with you"}]},{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":false,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EWhy not make \u2018eco-friendly\u2019 the theme of your gathering? We\u2019ve got some brilliant \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/about-us/help-others/community/protecting-our-environment/\u0022\u003EWWF-supported activities\u003C/a\u003E for learning more about looking after our world, while you tuck into your planet-saving picnic.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe hope you have fun, stay safe and enjoy your picnics in the sunshine this summer.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Activities about protecting our environment"}]}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"21 June 2022","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[{"caption":"","title":"WWF-supported activities","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/about-us/help-others/community/protecting-our-environment/","newWindow":false}],"relatedLinks":[{"caption":"","title":"Food for thought","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/food-for-thought/","newWindow":false}],"id":50885,"nodeName":"5 tips for an eco-friendly, fun picnic","title":"5 tips for an eco-friendly, fun picnic","type":"blogEntry","image":{"url":"/media/17777/teddy_bear_picnic_update.jpg?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1d9becd1e4a4fe0","caption":"Teddy Bear Picnic Update","type":"jpg","size":595991,"width":1080,"height":1080,"altText":"Five teddy bears sitting on a red and white picnic blanket in front of a hedge with a tea set and picnic basket"},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"5 tips for an eco-friendly, fun picnic","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"This National Picnic Week, we\u0027re sharing tips for making your picnics eco-friendly this summer.","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC81MDg4NSJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2022/june/5-tips-for-an-eco-friendly-fun-picnic/"}