South Africans don’t need an invitation to head outdoors in December — give us a stretch of blue sky and we’ll find a reason to braai, camp, caravan, picnic or “just quickly stop somewhere with a view.” It’s part of who we are. The tongs come out before the luggage does. Someone’s already arguing about charcoal versus wood. And the cooler box… well, it becomes the unofficial throne of every campsite.
But as eager as we are to hit the road, there’s one thing we almost never plan for properly: what actually happens to all the food we take with us — and all the food we waste.
Because here’s the part we don’t talk about:
So yes — the December braai season is sacred. But planning it properly matters more than ever.
The good news? Going greener outdoors doesn’t require a personality change. It simply means thinking ahead, packing smarter, and making a few easy switches that protect wildlife, parks, air quality — and your cooler box.
Here’s how to braai, camp, picnic and road-trip your way through this December without the food waste, without the harm, and without losing the fun.
1. Pack light & buy only what you’ll actually eat.
The outdoors isn’t an all-you-can-eat buffet. Heat spoils food fast, and bulk buying often leads to a cooler-box graveyard. Buy small amounts locally — fresher, cheaper, smarter.
2. Compost all food scraps — raw or cooked.
Fruit peels, veg trimmings, pap, rice, stale rolls, cold braai veg — if it once lived or grew, your Bokashi bin can take it. No burning, no burying, no wildlife harm.
3. Give leftovers a second life.
Pickle, repurpose, reheat, freeze, share — almost everything can be reinvented with a little creativity.
4. Use what you already have.
Your empty Bokashi bin makes great travel storage. Ice-cream tubs, coffee tins and egg cartons become organisers. No need to buy new containers.
5. Save bones, shells, ash & charcoal — they’re gold for your garden.
Calcium, phosphorus, potassium, moisture retention… all hiding in what most people throw away.
If it once lived, grew or was edible… your Bokashi bin can handle it.
Sprinkle, seal, repeat.
No smells. No flies. No scavengers. No waste.
People don’t magically eat for two just because they’re outdoors. Cook sensible portions and top up if needed.
Get exact quantities, fresher ingredients and less packaging — and support the community you’re travelling through.
Travel with it packed full, unpack at camp, and start composting immediately. Zero waste, zero smells.
Peels, husks, stems — they all belong in your Bokashi bin, not the campsite bin.
Security guards, cleaners and gardeners often appreciate a warm meal. Share what you can.
Go easy on the “just-in-case” chips. Keep snacks intentional to reduce cooler chaos and waste.
Block ice > ice cubes. Airtight containers prevent sogginess. Smart packing means less spoilage.
Shake out the grid — those half-burnt chunks are tomorrow’s fire starters.
Soak a used tea bag in paraffin and let it dry — a free, long-burning firelighter without plastic.
Turn tired salad ingredients into crunchy, tangy pickles that last for days.
Mix a little plain rice or pap into their kibble. Avoid cooked bones — compost them instead.
Ice-cream tubs, jam jars, coffee tins — perfect for storing snacks, utensils and leftovers.
Pap, rice, veg, bread ends, cold braai scraps — the Bokashi bin handles it easily.
Ask people how hungry they actually are. Excess boerie makes great sandwiches — but only to a point.
If they bring it, they finish it — and take the leftovers home.
Dry or roast bones, crush them, and sprinkle into your garden soil for slow-release minerals.
Dry, crush and mix into soil — your plants will love it.
Veg ends + bones = rich, flavourful stock when you get home. Zero waste, maximum taste.
Croutons, toasties, breadcrumbs, braai broodjies — endless ways to revive a forgotten loaf.
Take out what you bring in or compost it properly. Never burn or bury food waste — wildlife, soil and ecosystems suffer.
December outdoors doesn’t need to equal December waste. A few clever habits — the kind your grandparents used instinctively — can transform your holiday footprint.
With a little planning, a Bokashi bin, and a more intentional approach to food, you can braai, camp, picnic and caravan your way through summer without leaving waste behind.
The bonus?
Your cooler is lighter, your meals fresher, your campsite cleaner — and the planet gets a breather too.
