Tips for a Zero Waste Picnic Outing
If the sunshine’s out and your gingham tablecloth is ready to pack, why not enjoy the outdoors with a zero-waste picnic? Obviously the first rule is to take all your litter home with you. But a nice picnic in a field or by the river, is a lovely way to enjoy a seasonal sunny day.
Never drink hot liquids straight from wide-mouthed bottles or flasks. If used, avoid metal straws for children, on-the-move or dexterity issues, as metal does not bend.
Also ensure pet-toxic foods are kept away (everything is at eye level for hungry dogs!) Read more on food safety for people and pets.
If you smoke, use a personal ashtray (that immediately extinguishes butts, until you find a secure bin. Dropping cigarette litter on dry grass is like a match to paper, and can also cause wildfires.
Good Picnic Eating and Drink Ideas
- A good picnic starts with good sandwiches. Try recipes for vegan tuna or traditional cucumber!
- A ploughman’s lunch is always nice, served alongside some vegan quiche (a wonderful way to start to learn how to use tofu – Tofoo is organic and made in Yorkshire!)
- And be sure to pack some mini vegan sausage rolls, for when you get peckish later on!
- Why not wash it all down with some homemade strawberry lemonade (Madeleine Olivia)? Avoid unpasteurised fruits/juices for pregnancy/nursing and weak immunity.
- A slice of vegan Victoria sponge, is sure to finish things off nicely! Did you know this was indeed named after Queen Victoria, who used to offer it to guests, visiting her Isle of Wight summer house?
Choose Reusable Over Disposable
- Take a reusable cutlery set. Single-use plastic ones are now illegal to sell in the UK, but it’s still not good to take old ones on a picnic, in case they get dropped or lost by a river.
- Forget clingfilm. Take a reusable storage bag or couple of boxes with you instead, to keep food fresh without plastic. Silicone is the best choice, it lasts for years, is easy to clean and is easily recycled.
Make use of your freezer. These Ice Gel Packs (with moisture-resistant covers) are sold as a pack of one (an ice pack and moisture-resistant sleeve), choose seafoam or grey. The gel is made from sodium polymer (a white granular powder used in industry to absorb 100 to 1000 times its weight in water).
Designed to fit the matching insulated lunch tote (with adjustable strap for adults or children) you can also buy this to keep in the freezer, and take it out to heal bumped knees or keep baby bottles cold. The cover itself is made from recycled plastic bottles.
Do not use for children under 36 months, due to small parts which could be choking hazards. Steel lunchboxes are not microwave-safe (never heat baby or pet food in microwaves). Read our post on food safety for people and pets.
