In Australia we’re so lucky to have great weather almost all year round and an endless list of some amazing natural picnic spots to discover. Picnics are an ideal way to enjoy the outdoors and catch up with our family and friends, while soaking up some essential vitamin D. However, while we enjoy the aesthetic benefits from the world that surrounds us, it’s important that we strive to return to the environment the beauty and serenity that it provides us. That’s why, when planning your picnic, it’s worthwhile to include environmentally friendly options where possible. At Sol Seekers Australia, we want to help you enjoy, and give back to, our earth. Below we’ve outlined some easy ways you can have an environmentally-conscious picnic any time of the year.

• Plan a picnic at a nearby venue

Rather than wasting time and energy driving from one location to another just to have a picnic, why not look for amazing park venues near you? I'm sure you haven't tried them all, but with a quick search online, you can quickly find great picnic spots in your local area while learning about, and getting to know, your neighbourhood.

For a nice family picnic, a backyard can be all you need. If you intend to travel outside your area or state, this saves you money on petrol and travel expenses. You can also use public transport to get to a nearby location. It contributes to the reduction of air pollution from a long drive to a remote picnic spot. If you are venturing to a more remote picnic destination, carpooling is one of the most environmentally friendly modes of transportation, and parking can be scarce depending on your venue. Encourage your family and friends to travel with someone else if necessary.

• After the picnic, remember to always clean up

If your neighbours leave a mess, clean up your picnic area and theirs. There's no need to wreak havoc on the environment by leaving behind waste and disused and/or disposal plates, cutlery and packaging behind after a picnic. Litter makes its way into the surrounding area and lakes, posing a threat to wildlife. Many national parks offer categorised rubbish bins so you are able to dispose of your unwanted items responsibly into separated bins - for recyclables and non-recyclables, organic and non-organic. If your picnic area lacks these amenities, you should take your garbage home to sort and dispose of it.

• Take just what you need

Early preparation for the picnic is the best way to ensure that you just bring what you need. For example, you'll need to figure out what activities will take place during the picnic in order to know what to bring. Since a picnic usually takes place outside, often deep within forests, parks, beaches and away from normal facilities such as stores, it's easy to overpack with items that might not be readily available.

• Use all-natural sunscreens and bug repellents

Experiencing the outdoors brings with it a variety of bugs and insects, some of which can be bothersome when attempting to eat your food. Some of them can even be harmful.

So, apply a repellent or bring an insecticide to spray on bugs that want to get on your picnic blanket to keep them at bay. These lotions and sprays, on the other hand, contain hazardous chemicals that, when released into the atmosphere, may cause serious damage. As a result, natural skin defence and repellents that are less toxic to natural life are preferrable. Did you know that mosquitoes are repelled by crushed lavender flowers or citronella? A variety of insects, including mosquitoes, are deterred by lavender oil.

• Rather than buying new picnic equipment, use what you already have

You have everything you need for a picnic right in your own home. Grab your Sol Seekers Australia 100% recycled fabric picnic mat and a carry-all tote bag from your wardrobe or kitchen. Next, take a look around your house; the best picnic supplies are right there: mugs, tumblers, stainless utensils, and cloth napkins are everything you'll need for an environmentally friendly picnic.

Home supplies reduce waste, spending and carbon emissions associated with new product purchases. You no longer need to spend a lot of money to have a good time outside.

• Have a menu that is environmentally friendly

Have meals on your picnic menu that are less detrimental to the environment, and you can't go wrong with fresh, nutrient-dense, plant-based food. Isn't it true that the best place to eat a salad is outside? Out of 15 traditional food classes, processed and unprocessed red meat (pork, beef, lamb, and goat) have the highest negative environmental effects, according to new research. Although going meatless is ideal, you don't have to eliminate meat from your picnic to reduce your carbon footprint, particularly if you have omnivores and carnivores in your group.

Choose meats that have been raised in your area.

If you can buy the meat directly from the cow, you'll get bonus points! The less distance it has to move until it reaches your hands, the better.

Choose organic wherever possible

Organic meat is raised without growth hormones or antibiotics in a more humane setting.

Have a hero dish  

Instead of a mixed-meat smorgasbord, limit yourself to one meat item and pair it with complementary dishes. For example, a variety of seasonal salads and grilled vegetables.

You can also grow your own products or purchase them at a farmers market, which will not only help you go green but will also help out our environment.

An environmentally friendly meal made from compostable materials that decompose naturally and safely helps the environment in a variety of ways. Above all, stay away from foods that contain chemicals, which are not only bad for your health but also for the environment.

• Stay away from disposables

Avoid items with a shelf life that only allows for one use, such as plastic bottles. Avoid using paper cups and bowls, as well as plastic spoons and forks, which are only used once and then discarded, resulting in a lot of waste and litter that is detrimental to the atmosphere if not properly disposed of.

Paper towels and tissue can be replaced with reusable cloth napkins. Napkins that are quickly carried away by the wind should be avoided because they pollute the atmosphere. Also, meals that produce waste, such as fruits, should be handled responsibly – make sure you dispose of the peels properly.

One thing to note as a staple of any picnic, is that your picnic mat or blanket should be durable and considerate of the environment. The majority of mainstream, cheaper mats on the market are only built for a couple of uses before they start to tear, or are made of harmful PVC and toxic adhesives. Sol Seekers Australia mats are made of 100% certified rPET (recycled polyester), are PVC-free and use eco-friendly water repellent. They are comfortable, durable and as an added bonus, they’re easy on the eyes, boasting unique Australian artwork.

• Bring your pet with you

Your pet would enjoy running around and playing with the kids at a picnic, so make sure they have name tag collars and leashes to keep them secure.

Dogs, for example, not only make a picnic more enjoyable, but he also eats the food left over from the picnic and any unintended spills, saving you the trouble of throwing it away. You eventually stop littering the picnic area! Just make sure the leftovers your dog eats is actually safe for them to consume. Keep grapes away from Fido!

• Make use of your hands

You can serve finger foods like salads and banana oat bars that don't need cutlery if you use your hands instead of carrying bulky utensils. However, make sure you wash your hands before and after eating.

• Protect the surrounding wildlife and natural habitats

In the park or picnic area, children and pets may often disrupt the habitats and ways of life of native species plants, nesting birds, and other small creatures. If you're taking your children or pets to the park or another picnic spot, make sure they're playing in an environment away from native plant species and nesting birds.

• Reuse and recycle

When all other options for minimising and reusing have been exhausted, consider recycling. You can recycle by watering nearby plants with the water left over from the cooler's ice. Additionally, place used cans and bottles in designated areas where they can be recycled for recycling.

Cover photo by Belle Creative Co. This page photo source: Pexels and Unsplash