SETTING UP A ZERO-WASTE PICNIC

Tips for outdoor dining without the trash.

1. Why bother?

• Americans throw away about 40 billion plastic forks, spoons, and knives every year. They’re used for minutes and then stick around for centuries.
• Compostable cutlery made from plants can break down in about 180 days in a commercial compost facility—no micro-plastics left behind.

A few smart swaps keep your picnic fun and planet-friendly.

2. Grab a reuse-ready kit

3. Pack low-waste food & drinks

• Choose bulk snacks (nuts, fruit, popcorn) and pack them in small containers.
• DIY drinks in a thermos instead of single-serve cans.
• Skip pre-wrapped desserts; bake brownies or cookies at home and slice on-site.

4. Set up three easy bins

1. Compost – food scraps, plant-based plates and forks.
2. Recycle – cans, clean glass jars.
3. Landfill – anything that can’t compost or recycle (aim for this bin to stay almost empty).

Bring color-coded bags or small buckets so everyone sorts correctly.

5. Leave no trace

• Double-check the ground for crumbs, twist-ties, and bottle caps.
• Take compostables to a curbside or drop-off site (find one here).
• Wipe gear with the cloth napkins, stash everything back in your tote, and you’re done.

Quick checklist

✅ Basket / tote
✅ Reusable plates & cups
✅ Compostable forks, spoons, knives
✅ Cloth napkins
✅ Water bottle / jug
✅ Three labeled waste bags
✅ Sunscreen & a good playlist

The payoff

A zero-waste picnic means zero trash guilt. You keep plastic out of landfills, show friends an easy eco-win, and enjoy the park without a mess to haul home. Simple swaps, big impact—happy (waste-free) eating!