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At Naturally Savvy we love Independence Day as much as the next person, but there's no denying a big holiday makes a big mess. Of course we'd be remiss if we didn't admit there are ways to limit your environmental impact this fourth of July—and our favorite place to start going green is the picnic. Here are four simple tips for a littlerless, eco-friendly day with friends and family.
DIY Meals
Pre-packaged foods may seem like the easiest way to go when you're planning a picnic, but you probably won't be getting much nutritional value out of the Twinkies and chips many people pack.
Green Alternative: Put the pre-packaged foods down and load up your shopping cart with protein-rich hummus and whole grain crackers or pitas, and organic fruits and vegetables for snacking. We like grapes, cherry tomatoes, celery sticks, broccoli and cauliflower flowerets, cherries, apples and carrot sticks. Health bonus: The beta-carotene in carrots helps protect your skin from the sun's damaging UVA and UVB rays.
Give Bottled Water, Juice Boxes and Soda the Sack
Bottled and boxed beverages are a huge source of trash, they can dehydrate your body, and some have been linked to health concerns (soda can liners contain bisphenol A).
Green Alternative:
Pack water in reusable stainless steel beverage containers, and you'll be able to refill as much as you want (because nothing puts a damper on a picnic like dehydration). Kleen Kanteen is a favorite at Naturally Savvy because they're entirely BPA-free and the plastic cap is made with number 5 plastic, the most stable on the market—and you can even get a sippy attachment for toddlers. And for those who are wary of any plastic, they're the only company we know of that sells a model with a metal cap.
Nix the Napkins and Wipes
Contrary to what many people believe, you don't need to bring a pack of paper napkins or wet wipes to a picnic to make it home without disaster.
Green Alternative:
Bring along a container of water and fabric napkins to wipe sticky hands and faces (and the inevitable spills). If you don't want to chance losing or ruining fabric napkins, old tea towels and washcloths are also great options—and if you have a few minutes, make some cloth napkins just for outdoor use.
Avoid Traffic Trouble
Vehicles are a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to smog—which can really put a damper on a picnic. Plus the roads are a nightmare during holidays, with many people trying to get to the same place.
Green Alternative:
Make the journey a part of your holiday. Walk, ride your bike, or take public transit to your perfect picnic spot. Even if you use your local transit system, you'll still save on gas, and you won't waste time sitting in traffic.
More Tips for Celebrating Independence Day from Planet Green:
The Great American Backyard Campout Wants You to Get Outside, Unplug and Play
Let's Declare This July Fourth Interdependence Day!
7 Summer Camping Hazards that Could Kill You and How to Deal with Them
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