Happy National Picnic Month! But before you start packing your picnic basket and picking which park to lay out your picnic blanket, it’s essential to adopt an eco-conscious mindset. Nature calls, and we must answer the call to protect her. The U.S. National Park Service popularized the phrase, “Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints.” To help you do that, your friends at Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful have curated the following list of five ways to protect the planet during picnic season…

1. Pack a Trash Bag and Separate Bag for Recycling: While Gwinnett County’s award-winning Parks & Recreation Department does a phenomenal job of maintaining the cleanliness of our local parks, we all need to do our part to keep them clean. Trash and recycling receptacles can fill up quickly during National Picnic Month, so police your picnic spot after your meal. Even better – if you go on a post-picnic stroll, consider bringing those bags with you to pick up any litter you see along the way. If your favorite pooch is a guest at your picnic, be sure to pick up after them, too, and deposit their poop in a corresponding receptacle. If the trash and recycling cans are full, please take your bags with you to place them in your cans at home.
2. Opt for Reusable Plates, Napkins, Bottles, Sandwich Bags, and Utensils Instead of Single-Use: While paper plates and napkins paired with plastic forks and knives present a quick and easy way to dine and dash during your picnic in the park, they’re not a good move for the planet. They occupy space in our landfills, and research shows that the chemical components of plastic litter can leach toxins into the environment. These toxins can contaminate our soil and water resources, potentially harming our health. Pack unbreakable dishware, your reusable water bottles, cloth napkins, and stainless-steel utensils in your picnic basket. Place sandwiches in reusable sandwich bags, and pasta or potato salads in reusable storage containers. Bring a dedicated bag for your dirty dishes to transport them home to your dishwasher. 
3. Shop Locally and Plan Portions Thoughtfully: When planning a picnic, make your local farmers’ market or fruit stand a source for fresh produce, baked goods, and dairy, such as fresh tomatoes, watermelon, blueberries, jams, nuts, breads, and cheese. It’s a fantastic way to support your local farmers. Round out your shopping list at the closest grocery store to your home so you’ll drive fewer miles in search of supplies. Lastly, when pulling together the food that will grace your picnic table, opt against crafting a feast of which half will likely wind up in the trash. Instead, to try and eliminate food waste, consider carefully how much you believe everyone will actually consume.
4. Find a Favorite Picnic Spot Close to Home: The good news is, you never have to travel far to find a great place to enjoy nature in Gwinnett County. From your own backyard to one of our amazing town centers to our award-winning parks, there’s no need to get in the car to drive dozens of miles. It doesn’t make much sense to increase your carbon footprint when trying to protect the planet. If you’re close enough to walk, ride a bike, or climb aboard public transportation with your picnic in tow, those are three other modes of transportation that are better for the planet, too!
5. Don’t Just Eat and Run: Whether you opt for a local park or a vibrant town center, a picnic offers the perfect opportunity to reconnect with the natural world or community that surrounds us. After lunch, go exploring. Take a leisurely stroll and discuss all of the things that make Mother Nature so beautiful or your local community so FUN. Also, talk about ways that you, your family, and friends can help KEEP your community clean and beautiful. This is a terrific way to foster a love of community and the environment in children (AND rekindle that same love in yourself.)

To start researching the best picnic spots at parks throughout the county, visit Gwinnett County’s Parks and Recreation webpage! 

Got a lead on one of the best picnic spots in town? Please share it with our friends on our social media pages:  Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or X.

Now go outside and PLAY!