The Upper Waitaki Water Zone Committee is encouraging people to pack their own picnics to reduce food and drink rubbish when visiting popular recreational spots this summer.

The low-waste picnic theme is part of the committee’s summer-time Love Your Lakes campaign, which reminds lake users to respect the environment by disposing of rubbish responsibly, using provided toilet facilities and not discharging dirty water or sewage into waterways. These include Lakes Benmore, Ohau, Middleton, Tekapo, Pukaki, Ruantaniwha, Aviemore and Alexandrina.

Chair of the committee, Simon Cameron, says a simple approach to minimising rubbish is to plan ahead and pack an old-style picnic.

“It may take a little more planning but going retro – using plates, a flask and reusable containers – really cuts down on the rubbish that’s left when you pack up your picnic. The difference is surprising; a couple of apple cores versus a bag of rubbish.

“If we’re all more mindful of what we bring to lakeside areas, then it’s much easier to leave just the stunning view for the next visitor.”

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