Summer is here with the celebration of Memorial Day. Whether you are barbecuing at home or going out for a picnic in nature, here are a few plastic free tips for your day and ideas to keep in mind for future outings. 

First, let’s talk about sunscreen because it is a must to keep you and your family safe. I have two products that are chemical free and both safe for you and the ocean. Here are the two products I recommend:

1. Raw Elements rawelementusa.com

• Packaging is recyclable and compostable
• Reef safe and cruelty free
• Organic ingredients
• Plant butters and minerals
• Kid and baby safe

2. Sea & Summit seaandsummitsunscreen.com

• Made with 100% recycled milk carton packaging
• Reef safe and cruelty free
• All plant based ingredients
• Organic
• Chemical free

With get togethers, food and drinks can produce a ton of waste. Here are a few buying tips….

Drinks

• Reusable cups
• Drinks in cans
• Glass bottles
• Reusable straws
• Bring a recycle bag

Storage for drinks use your traditional coolers with ice.  

Food

• Sandwiches from your local deli (wrapped in paper)
• Nuts and Snacks in bulk ( put into reusable bags and/or glass containers)
• Pickles and Olives in glass and cans
• Cheeses from the deli wrapped in paper
• Crackers in boxes
• Fresh fruits and veggies (wrap in beeswax wraps)

Food Storage

There are several great ways to pack up food: reusable cloth bags, reusable rubber lunch bags, butcher paper. In my opinion the best plastic wrap alternative is beeswax wraps. Here is an easy recipe to make your own beeswax wraps. 

All you need is…

• 100% cotton material 
• 100% natural beeswax
• Large baking sheet

First thing is to wash and dry your cotton material. Next, cut desireds pieces into squares. 

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees. Place one square flat onto a baking sheet, sprinkle a good amount of beeswax over the whole piece.

Place into the oven for about 8-10 min depending on the size. Keep an eye on it, it will be done as soon as all the wax is melted. 

Take out of the oven. Carefully with two tongs grab the top two corners and lift the piece over a piece of paper to catch drippings, let air dry for about a minute and place on a cooling rack. 

Repeat this till all your pieces are good and dry. And that’s it! You can keep them stacked in a drawer and lightly hand wash them with warm water and soap. They will last a few months. Once they’re not sticky anymore, all you have to do is sprinkle a little more wax on them and put them back in the oven till melted. You can keep them for years. 

Lastly, bringing bamboo cutlery and plates, with cloth napkins reduces your waste amount. Having a few extra bees wax wraps for extra food or for sharing food with others is a great idea as well.

No matter if you’re boating, camping, hiking or picnicking, pack out what you pack in and leave nature cleaner than when you arrived. Bring a bucket and do a mini trash pick up in the area around your gathering. 

Peace, Love and Happy Earth!

Credits: Julie Murillo, our Pillar Point HMB Site Captain and incredible “plastic free” editor in chief!