Green your Picnic

Enjoy the summer sunshine by planning an outdoor picnic for the family, your friends, or get romantic with a spread just for two. Here’s how to green your picnic basket, reduce your carbon footprint and still dine in style. When picking a venue for your picnic choose a central location for all those attending, saving on petrol is always welcome. Organize transport or car pool to reduce the amount of cars driving to the venue, this not only saves on your carbon emissions but also saves people getting lost or being unable to find parking. If you live in the Cape Town area, then catch the Sunday train to Simon’s town for your picnic. This will save petrol and you may even spot whales as your train rolls past Kalk bay. When picking a venue also consider going to botanical gardens or heritage areas. These will benefit from your patronage and can be a fun way to educate yourself and the kids about the environment and South Africa’s rich biodiversity. For the romantics, plan an evening picnic in your own garden. You can decorate with soy or beeswax candles and use low voltage LED light strings in your trees to set the mood. When it comes to the all important picnic basket, try to use non-disposable cutlery and packaging, as this will save on waste. If you are not looking to use the porcelain plates outside consider investing in a picnic cutlery set. Many stores are now stocking cutlery made from bamboo, chic and eco-friendly these are definite winners. However if you must go disposable, consider keeping all packaging bio-degradable, green home supplies biodegradable cups and all kinds of packaging that can be used for your picnic. Look for paper napkins that are recycled or unbleached, buy drinks in aluminum cans rather than plastic bottles as these are easier and more efficient to recycle. Also don’t forget about recycling just because you are not at home. Take small bags to keep your cans, bottles and recyclables separate ready to be taken home and recycled. Find a picnic blanket that is produced locally and via fair-trade methods, if it’s made from organic materials such as hemp or bamboo even better. For your menu choose as much local and organic food as possible and serving seasonal foods will also save you money, provide a delicious fresh menu and help the environment. Think sautéed veggie’s and char-grilled organic chicken wraps, which is easy to eat outdoors and don’t require plates. Others items can include fresh fruit salads, artisanal breads with homemade preserves, purchased from your local farmers market, organic chocolates and all topped off with an organic cheese and fruit platter served with one of the many delicious local organic wines South Africa has to offer. If you are heading for a picnic spot with braai facilities, green your braai by using natural and organic meats. Look for natural charcoal or propane and don’t use lighting fluid. (Read More: Greening Your Braai ) Outdoor pets and insects intent on taking over, can ruin a picnic but don’t resort to spraying chemical repellants at these unwanted guests. There are some great organic pests control sprays available thatwill leave no smell and stop the trail of ants from heading for your food. Most of all relax and unwind, there’s nothing better than a delicious fresh meal, eaten outdoors in the sunshine. Enjoy your green picnic.

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