Here at SNOAP, there is nothing we enjoy more than being outdoors, in amongst nature. We are big fans of a hearty picnic, whatever the weather and we do enjoy a cheeky camping trip. We’ve noticed that when we shop for a weekend away, much of the food that we might fancy eating in the great outdoors is wrapped in single-use plastic.
We’ve been thinking about ways to banish single-use plastic on camping trips and picnic days out, so here we share our top tips.
Plastic pollution solutions for your picnic or camping trip
The easiest way to reduce your plastic use when you’re away from home is to buy some good quality, reusable water bottles and coffee cups. There are many options on the market, from stainless steel water bottles to steel or bamboo travel mugs. You can still buy plastic, but it’s all about changing your choices; try to go for something that will last, such as a 2-litre ‘water cooler’ style portable water bottle with a screw cap. They last a long time and don’t need refilling that often (but they are quite heavy to carry!).
Invest in some good quality food boxes; we do not endorse any particular range, but the Sistema containers are practical and long-lasting, with combinations for stackable and interchangeable solutions. Their reusable, microwaveable soup mugs and rice bowls are great for camper vans and motorhomes, too! Alternatively, you can pop sandwiches and snacky bits into greaseproof paper or reusable beeswax food wraps. You can get the latter from some larger supermarkets, or find them in local craft markets.
Shopping smarter for food
As a busy mum and entrepreneur, I don’t have time to spend hours in the kitchen creating food from scratch to take away, but if you do fancy getting creative in the kitchen before your trip, there are literally millions of recipes to choose from on the internet (or dig out those cookbooks that are gathering dust on the bookshelf!).
Shopping can still be smart in terms of not buying plastic-wrapped items; supermarket deli counters stock a lot of the same food that they sell in the snack section, such as picnic and finger food. Take your own containers along so that your food is ready to take with you. Try to shop local; the cost may be slightly higher in independent shops, but the items are likely to be fresher and will probably have fewer air miles. Butchers and fishmongers will allow you to use your own containers, too, as long as they are practical and suitable for the contents.
When you shop, don’t rely on plastic bags, whether reusable or not; invest in a good quality rucksack or backpack, you can use this for shopping and also for the gym, for hiking trips and many other uses. There are sustainably manufactured rucksack options available on the market. Alternatively, why not use a wicker basket or a reusable tote bag?
If you’re spending the weekend away from home in a camper, motorhome or a tent, you can avoid panic buying by prepping things before you go. Chop a couple of onions and keep them in a box in the fridge or in a cool bag, likewise with peppers, carrots, celery, etc. They will keep and if you don’t use them, you can take them home with you. Spices and herbs can be kept in smaller pots, if you don’t want to buy whole bottles or packets to take away on one trips, likewise with sauces or dressings.
If you are out and about, remember to keep an eco-friendly bin bag with you for those waste items that cannot be composted or recycled. If there are no bins around, take rubbish home with you to dispose of. The important thing is to leave no trace of your trip, leaving the area as you found it for others to enjoy.
Keeping fresh on the move
There’s nothing worse than feeling a bit grubby when you’re away from home, particularly if you’re camping where there are no facilities. If you have water, you can be clean in no time with the SNOAP on-the-go dispensers. Simply fill the container from your main dispenser at home and pop the lid on. Hey presto - you will have enough SNOAP to keep a family of four going for hand, hair and body washes on a two-week holiday. Practical Caravan and Practical Motorhome magazines recently featured SNOAP in their ‘must-have’ product sections!
Hopefully, we have given you some great tips for your next camping trip or day out. If you’ve got the bottle to change your choices and turn the tide on plastic pollution, sign up for our newsletter; as a SNOAPY, you will receive 10% off all of our products, for as long as you’re subscribed.
Enjoy the holidays!
