How to have a litter free picnic

Who doesn’t enjoy a summer picnic by the lake, river or sea? An evening out on your local shoreline can be the best way to connect with friends, get your kids out in nature and escape the daily grind.

To keep your favourite spot scenic this season, consider packing a litter-free picnic. Saying no to Styrofoam plates, plastic drink bottles and paper napkins can make picnics more festive and help prevent shoreline litter.

According to Kate Le Souef, manager of the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, take-out food containers and other picnic trash are on her program’s Dirty Dozen List of top litter found on shorelines across the country.

“Take-out cutlery, straws, plastic bottles and other trash dropped on city streets, urban trails or beaches and river banks can end up in local waterways and harm wildlife,” she explains. “Saying no to disposable, single-use items is one of the best ways to keep shorelines clean for us to enjoy and for the animals that live there.”

Simple tips for a litter-free picnic

Bring cloth napkins and tablecloth instead of paper.

Skip the single-use plastic bottles and bring your drinks in a bulk container. Go packaging-free with summer desserts such as watermelons or fresh berries.

Engage your kids in a friendly shoreline cleanup competition while you picnic. Make it more fun with some exciting prizes.

All cleanups matter – large or small. Register your picnic cleanup through the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup. (NC)