Plastic Picnics

Finally, after a cool and wet spring, we have arrived at the summer picnic season! We all look forward to times of “dining out” with family and friends, especially since that option is only available here in Southern Manitoba for a few months every year.

My concern is that such events have become “plastic picnics.” I have an image clearly etched on my mind that leaves me with a feeling that something has gone wrong with our picnics.

Two or three families have just finished a picnic in the park – perhaps a family gathering or simply friends getting together. The feast is over and now the picnic tables are piled high with garbage, mostly some form of plastic, styrofoam or paper. Cups, plates, cutlery, food containers, bags, wrappers, pop and water bottles and everything else you need for a modern picnic.

But this is only the beginning of the unfolding tragedy. Now you see a couple of the adults swooping up all these disposables into a couple of large plastic garbage bags. And bingo – they hit the garbage can! And now all are free to enjoy their post-picnic rituals. Nothing to take home! As a matter of fact, it only took ten minutes to erase any evidence that there had even been a picnic in this place – except of course for the over-flowing garbage bins.

Now this may be an extreme example of our picnic habits. But, truth be told, it is closer to reality than we care to believe. Perhaps, if these picnickers had separated their disposables and deposited them in recycling bins there would have been at least a partial redemption of sorts. “But hey, we’re out here to enjoy ourselves, so don’t make us feel guilty about our burgeoning landfill site just out of town!”

I think it is time to rethink our picnic habits. Some of us are old enough to remember picnics before the throw-away culture overtook us. And I don’t think the quality of our “outings” was lower then. Perhaps it was even higher.

So here is the challenge. Plan for a “throw-away-nothing picnic” this summer or at least see how close you can come to this standard. Here are some ideas to make it happen:

•  Purchase a set of light-weight dishes, cups and cutlery for the family and take them with you to the picnic in their own special container. Take it back home when the sun sets and wash its contents together as you reminisce about the good time you had.
• If you are going alone, always bring your own non-disposable plate, bowl, cup and cutlery. You may stand out like a sore thumb, but you will be a positive example.
• Plan for a “finger-food” picnic that cuts down on the need for dishes.
• If you happen upon a picnic unprepared, consume only those items that don’t require the help of disposable products. A few awkward moments perhaps, but also a chance to begin a conversation about a less polluted planet.

Jack Heppner