How can you cut waste on a group adventure day? Plan the food and drink in advance, ask everyone to bring reusable bottles and containers, and decide who takes the rubbish home before you set off.
A bit of planning removes most of the problem. Here are the changes that make the biggest difference.
Drinks
- Ask each person to bring a refillable bottle, and check whether the provider has a water refill point
- Take a large water container for the group, instead of lots of small bottles
- Bring flasks for hot drinks
Food
- Plan numbers carefully so you are not left with a mountain of spare food
- Pack lunches in reusable boxes and wraps
- Ask the provider if they supply catering and whether leftovers can be used or donated
- Take food waste home, including fruit peel and apple cores, because they do not rot quickly in many places
Kit and clothing
Providers supply a lot of kit, so there is less to buy new. Ask what you need to bring and avoid buying cheap items you will only use once. If your group needs matching t shirts, ask whether you really do.
Rubbish and recycling
Decide in advance how rubbish is handled. Many outdoor places have no bins, so everything comes home with you. Bring a spare bag for each group and ask one person to be the litter lead for the day. Sort recycling at home or at the provider’s base if they have bins.
Balloons, confetti and glitter
Avoid them. They blow away, and they are very hard to pick up. Balloons in particular can harm wildlife.
Ask your provider
Ask how they handle waste from the day, including food, packaging and used equipment. Our adventure day planning checklist is a good place to add these points. You can also read how to plan a corporate adventure day.
In short:
- Reusable bottles and containers for everyone
- Plan food numbers and take scraps home
- Choose one litter lead for the day