IT'S the time of year for barbecues at the park, picnics at the beach, parties at the cottage and weekend camping getaways.
Unfortunately, recreational fun often involves trampling on plants and vegetation, disturbing animals, polluting waterways and filling landfill sites with way too many throwaway items, such as paper plates, plastic cutlery, take-out containers and water bottles.
Sabrina Longobardi, co-owner of Eat It, says her biodegradable products are perfect for the upcoming barbecue season.
But there are ways to enjoy your favourite summer activities and wreak less havoc on the natural world.
"Every time you go out of doors the reality is you are going to have some impact on the environment," says Ken Berg, manager of the Winnipeg Mountain Equipment Co-Op store. "But small steps can be taken to lessen that impact."
Transportation emissions and garbage waste are two of the most harmful aspects of summer recreational activity, says Randall McQuaker, executive director of Resource Conservation Manitoba.
He suggests car-pooling to outdoor excursions, and choosing non-motorized forms of activity -- such as kayaks, canoes and pedal boats -- instead of motor boats, ATVs and Jet Skis.
"And adapt the litter-less lunch idea to picnics," he says. "Use reusable or recyclable utensils to reduce waste."
Here are some tips to keep the fun in your outdoor adventures, and also make them a little greener:
GREEN PICNIC AND PARTY SUPPLIES
Ever noticed the pile of garbage bags you accumulate after an outdoor party, barbecue or picnic? Disposable paper plates, plastic cups and cutlery are convenient, but they create a lot of waste.
Also, most disposable dishes are made of non-renewable petroleum-based products and release contaminants into the environment as they break down in landfill sites (and they can take a very long time to decompose).
Alternatively, the idea of carting china, metal cutlery and glassware for a crowd of 50 to the next barbecue (and washing all those dishes afterwards) isn't very appealing, either.
But there is another option these days.
Some organic and health food stores now carry biodegradable, disposable dishes and cutlery made from natural and renewable products, such as the byproduct of sugar refining, fermented potato starch and a corn-based plastic. The disposable dishware has the same look and feel as medium-weight plastic cutlery, cups and plates, and can withstand moderate heat.
Best of all, after use, they can be thrown in your composter and end up as garden fertilizer by the end of the summer.
"Corn and other vegetable-based cutlery and plates are getting more popular," says Sabrina Longobardi, one of the owners of Eat It Organics in Winnipeg.
And no, the cutlery doesn't smell like decaying potatoes. Nor does it add a sugar flavour to your food.
"They don't have any odour or taste," assures Longobardi.
Eat It sells potato cutlery ($4.75 for a box of 50); plates and bowls made from sugar byproducts ($9 for a set of 50); straws made of corn ($7.99 for 100); corn cups ($7.50 for 50); as well as super-strength garbage bags ($4.50 for 20 small kitchen-size bags) which can also be tossed in the composter.
Eat It also offers new food storage containers made from the waste after sugar production that are completely biodegradable and compostable. They are ideal for carrying food for picnics and camping and range in price from 25 cents to 60 cents each, depending on size.
Another local option, Humbolt's Legacy in Wolseley, sells sets of eight forks, knives and spoons made from 100 per cent recycled plastic for $9.99. Once used, they can be put in your blue bin to be recycled again.
They also sell Right Choice kitchen-size waste bags (12 for $2.99) made from non-toxic starch-based products that are compostable and degradable.
More tips for greening your outdoor picnic or party:
Reusable cloth napkins are the most environmentally friendly option (and if they are made of organic natural fibres, even better), but a good second bet is paper napkins made of 100 per cent recyclable paper, which are available at most grocery stores.
Instead of purchasing individual bottles of water (which are made from non-renewable petroleum products, shipped over long distances and wind up in landfill sites), buy a collapsible water bag. You fill the bag up with water at home, keep it cold in a cooler, and fold it up and carry it home when empty.
Water bags are found at most camping supply stores and are quite inexpensive. For example, Mountain Equipment Co-Op sells a Reliance Fold-a-Carrier for just $7 which holds 20 litres of water.
For small groups, buy a picnic basket or picnic set filled with reusable plates, glasses, cutlery and cloth napkins that fold up in a compact kit or backpack. Picnic kits are available at many stores throughout the city, including Lee Valley, which offers a $40 deluxe picnic backpack that comes with a blanket, cutting board, cheese knife, bottle opener, four-place setting with plastic wine glasses, stainless-steel cutlery and cloth napkins, plus lots of room to carry food.
Avoid the use of Styrofoam whenever possible, as it endangers wildlife and is not biodegradable.
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