Updated on June 4th, 2025
Summer is the time for picnics, however, there can come a lot of waste, including plastic sandwich bags and disposable cutlery from having a picnic. In this post, I wanted to share how you can have an eco-friendly picnic and reduce your plastic use.
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What is Zero Waste?
Many of us know by now that plastic pollution is a huge global problem. From microplastics posing a risk to humans to wildlife ingesting plastic particles, plastic pollution needs to be addressed, and the zero waste movement does just that. The zero waste movement aims to send no waste to the landfill by reducing the use of single-use plastics and other disposable products and instead purchasing items that can be reused, recycled, or composted. When it comes to zero waste, I do not believe you should aim to be perfect. For example, using refill shops where you bring your own containers and buy items in bulk is common among the zero-waste community. However, if like me, you do not have a refill shop near you, there are plenty of other steps you can take to help reduce your plastic pollution.
Zero Waste Picnic Ideas
Use Reusable Containers
When you bring your food from home, whether it is sandwiches, sides, snacks, or desserts, to a picnic, opt to bring your food in reusable containers. Using reusable containers will reduce the plastic waste that you would have used for plastic sandwich bags or plastic wrap. You can also use reusable ziplock food bags from re:gn, which are great for smaller sides like fruits and vegetables, and beeswax food wrap or silicone lids to cover bowls and other containers that do not have lids. Furthermore, if you have leftovers from the picnic, you can bring them home in reusable containers, and you can have a separate container for food waste that you can then compost.
Bring Plates and Cutlery from Home
Instead of buying paper plates and plastic utensils for a picnic, bring plates and cutlery from home. By bringing your own plates and cutlery from home, you are reducing your use of single-use plastics and disposable items. However, if you would rather not do the dishes, opt for bamboo cutlery and plates, which are compostable. Furthermore, instead of using paper napkins, consider using reusable hand towels from home or bamboo napkins that are compostable.
Bring a Reusable Water Bottle
As an alternative to bringing a plastic water bottle, a bottle of soda, or a container of juice to a picnic, bring a reusable water bottle instead. You can add ice cubes to keep your drink cold, and you can fill the reusable bottle with homemade juice, lemonade, iced tea, or any other drink you would like. You can also bring your own cups from home if you are sharing drinks.
To properly clean all your reusable dishes at home, you can look into using a plastic-free dishwashing soap bar and dishwasher tablets. There are also bamboo dish brushes and biodegradable kitchen sponges you can use to help you clean your dishes.
Buy Loose Produce and Shop Local
When shopping for ingredients you will need to make sandwiches, sides, desserts, or any other food you want to bring to the picnic, opt for loose produce instead of produce wrapped in plastic. A great way to find loose produce is to go to a farmer’s market that has fresh, local produce. Not only are you supporting local farmers at the markets, you are also strengthening your community and the local economy. The local produce available will depend on your area, however, these are some of the local produce available in Denmark:
Loose Local Produce
- Cucumber
- Peppers
- Tomatoes
- Carrots
- Peas
- Lettuce
- Potatoes
- Onions
- Aubergine/Eggplant
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
- Cherries
- Currants
- Apples
- Pears
- Rhubarb
Also, if you do not have a farmer’s market in your area, you can look for loose produce at your local grocery store. When shopping for loose produce, you can carry them in reusable produce bags instead of plastic bags that may be provided. Furthermore, there are loose produce that may not be local to your area, including citrus fruits, bananas, watermelon, pineapple, mango, and avocado.
Buy Bread from the Bakery
Sandwich loaves come wrapped in plastic, and if you are looking for a plastic-free alternative, stop by your local bakery. They will often have a selection of loaves to choose from that you can then cut into slices yourself. You can also look for bread loaves at the bakery section in your grocery store. If you are adventurous, you can bake your own bread loaf. Furthermore, when you are shopping for ingredients for sandwiches, look for ingredients that are in glass jars or metal cans that can be reused, upcycled, or recycled.
Zero Waste Sandwiches Ideas
- Chickpea “chicken” salad with red onion
- Smashed white bean with cucumber and radish
- Egg salad with mayonnaise and green onion
- Tuna salad with corn
- Tuna with tomato, red onion, and olives
- Tuna with avocado
- Avocado and tomato
- Vegetables with homemade hummus
- Roasted cauliflower
- Roasted eggplant with pesto
- Tofu Bahn Mi
- Tofu and avocado
- Peanut butter and jelly
- Berries with jam
Make Snacks and Desserts
Instead of buying a package of cookies from the grocery store, which often comes in a plastic container that is wrapped in plastic, you can bake your own, such as 3-ingredient peanut butter cookies. You can also bake brownies, muffins, cupcakes, or cakes. Furthermore, chip bags are made with plastic, as well as containers for dips like hummus. You can easily make your own hummus along with air fryer potato chips. You can also make potato salad or any other salad to bring as a side to the picnic.
Carry Picnic Supplies in Reusable Shopping Bags
You can bring your food and drinks to the picnic in reusable bags you already have. You do not have to go out and purchase a new picnic basket just to have a picnic. Beach bags or larger tote bags you already own work great for carrying your picnic essentials, too. If you have to travel further away to the picnic, you can pack the food and drinks in a cooler.
Choose a Location Where You Do Not Have to Drive
The last tip I have is to choose a picnic location that is within walking distance, or you can easily take public transportation to. Parks, gardens, nature areas, and the beach all make great locations for a picnic. When you do go on your picnic, you can bring a blanket, sheet, or tablecloth from home to sit on if there are no picnic tables in the area. Along with having a picnic, you can bring a frisbee or a football to play with. If you are bringing your kids to the picnic, you can visit the playground or go on a nature hunt around the area.
Thanks for sharing, these are great ideas for having a zero-waste picnic, you can use these ideas for packed lunches for day trips as well 🙂
You’re welcome and I definitely agree the tips work well for packed lunches too!
A ‘zero waste picnic’, do you know, I’ve never even thought of it. But now I will and your post has covered it all.
That’s great my post will help you think more about the items you bring to a picnic and reduce waste as much as possible
Wonderful tips Karalee! I love how you also included finding places that are within walking distance or accessible to public transit. It’s another great way to be eco-friendly!
Thank you! I tried to think of everything to make picnics as eco-friendly as possible!
Great idea! It’s so tempting to buy loads of things in plastic for a picnic rather than doing these tips!
Corinne x
https://skinnedcartree.com
Thanks! I completely agree! It’s so easy to go to the grocery store and buy a lot in plastic packaging as well as disposable items
I haven’t been for a picnic in such a long time, but they are so enjoyable! I love baking mini cupcakes ready for it 🙂 x
You should go on a picnic again if the weather is good! Mini cupcakes sound delicious!
These are such great ideas, I just can not believe how wasteful some people are it kind of blows my mind. Thanks for sharing this.
Allie
Thank you! Yea it is very easy though to go the grocery store and buy a bunch of food in plastic packaging and disposable plates and cutlery.
My daughter LOVES picnics although I have to admit I’m less of a fan due to the amount of prep required. But these are some brilliant zero waste tips, and my favourite is to go somewhere I don’t have to drive to!
Yea it does take a lot of prep to go on a picnic, but it is enjoyable when you can relax and eat outside afterwards!
Thanks!
I love picnics! I don’t go for picnics very often, but love using reusable containers when I do pack up a lunch to take to the park. These are all great meal ideas and ways to reduce waste 🙂
I love picnics too! That’s great you use reusable containers and it’s an easy to reduce plastic waste!
These are some great ideas! We always try to pack everything into our own boxes anytime we take food with us hiking or walking. Thankfully only ever sandwiches so not need for forks but even then we’ll bring our own.
Thank you! That’s fantastic you use your own boxes when bringing food with you. It does help reduce plastic waste!
These are all great tips! Also loving the chosen location hehe, definitely a good place for a picnic 😀
Thank you! Haha it is a great spot picnic 😂
I love this! I am trying to have more picnics with my daughter and these are all great tips. We usually have picnics in our yard, but it would be a great idea to walk somewhere different. Have a great week!
PerlaGiselle | iamperlita.com
♥ | INSTAGRAM
Thank you! That’s sweet you have picnics with your daughter, and that’s great you have your own yard that you can eat in! It is nice going somewhere different for a picnic.
I love these ways of having a zero-waste picnic, I hate it when people leave their waste behind after having a picnic, it’s just so rude and there’s just no need for it x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Thank you! People usually clean up after themselves here, but there are some who leave their trash behind, and it is rude!
Climate change and plastic pollution are very serious issues. Thanks for sharing these useful ideas.
They are serious issues, and I hope that my post has shed light on what individuals can do to reduce their plastic waste even outside of picnics. You’re welcome.
I love going on picnics with my husband and we try to go a few times throughout the summer months; making it a more environmentally friendly activity is such a great idea. It certainly is very easy now to get things that reduce throw away waste — thanks for the reminder!
I love going on picnics, and that’s great you go with your husband! It is easy to make picnics more environmentally friendly and reduce plastic waste! No problem!
Great tips and I know how awful to have to deal with the waste. I will keep these to use them in our next picnic.
You’re welcome! These are small steps you can do to reduce waste for picnics and also in general when shopping for food and bringing food to work or other places.
Ah thank you for sharing, such great tips! I love eating outdoors and am really keen on trying to be more eco friendly, so this is a perfect read for summer! x
You’re welcome! I enjoy eating outside too, and with these small steps, you can enjoy eating outside while reducing your plastic waste!
Your picnic looks so cute! And it’s all the better with there being no plastic waste once you’re done. Thanks for the tips!
Thank you! I went on this picnic with my daughter, and she loved it! I completely agree it is great having no plastic waste!
All of these are great suggestions that I use frequently. I love the tip to choose a place close so you do not need to drive. That is a tip that most would not think of. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you and that’s fantastic to hear! I tried to think of tips for everything from the food you buy to the location to help others reduce their waste as much as possible.
So true!!! Use reusable stuffs for zero waste. These are awesome ideas. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks! It is easy and inexpensive to use reusable items because you’re just using items you already have at home!
We love picnics and have carried on this way of eating while we travel. It is tough to get to zero waste but it’s something to strive for! We try to shop local and we now travel with a sarong for a blanket, Tupperware, washable silverware, and cups. We even travel with a backpack cooler called an Ice Mule. Great for picnics and putting groceries in.
I don’t see us baking cookies for a picnic but like the idea of not buying prepackaged ones.
That’s fantastic to hear! I agree it can be challenging to be completely zero waste, but even if you have done some small steps like you already do with using reusable dishes, you’re helping! The Ice Mule sounds fantastic! For this picnic, I made peanut butter cookies in the air fryer and it was quick and easy!
These are very useful tips I will try when going on my next picnic. I adore those wicker picnic baskets that come with reusable plates and cutlery. A relative who had one was a real treat whenever we headed out together for a picnic.
Thank you! Using reusable plates and cutlery is a great way to reduce your waste.
Great advice for ecofriendly picnics. I just wish it would stop raining here in England.
Thank you! It has been raining this whole week here so I feel you. I hope there will be sun soon!