Just because you’re having a picnic, barbecue or garden party, doesn’t mean that it has to involve leaving lots of litter everywhere. Use these ideas to still enjoy your special day, but keep the planet and wildlife safe. This biodegradable cardboard picnic table is light yet sturdy, and comes with paper plates, wooden cutlery sets, napkins and a cardboard carry case with handle.
- Take all your empties with you, for recycling. If you smoke, Boodi personal ashtray safely extinguish butts, to prevent wildfires.
- Use wicker baskets and a gingham tablecloth and reusable sandwich wraps, to avoid clingfilm. Keep food covered to deter wasps and ants, and keep ‘toxic people food’ away from dogs like cooked bones.
A Slice of Green Organic Cotton Sandwich Wrap secures with a Velcro fastening. Just unfold, pop the sandwich in the middle, fold up and secure. Unfolded, it doubles as a plate or mat. Lie flat to dry. Due to the water-resistant PUL liner, wash in a microplastic catch bag.
This Palm Leaf Eco Picnic Tableware Set is ideal for a party of 6, for outdoor fun and fizz. Note that this set is made from fallen palm leaves (not the same as palm oil). This deluxe set is an alternative to plastic party plates, and perfect for social gatherings. The set includes:
- 6 round palm leaf plates
- 2 palm leaf grazing platters with 6 compartments
- 6 round palm leaf bowls
- 2 small snack bowls
- 2 large salad bowls
- 6 sets of Victorian cutlery
- 2 kraft noodle boxes
- 3 kraft containers with lid
- 2 kraft pop-up boxes
- 25 bamboo cocktail sticks
- 6 white biodegradable paper cups
- 6 biodegradable PLA wine glasses
- 1 pack of biodegradable 3-ply napkins with floral daisy design, printed with water-based inks.
- 25 paper straws in assorted colours.
At end of use, just add everything to your compost bin, to biodegrade.
Nutshell Coolers are collapsible, and made from coconuts. They feature a water repellent exterior and fold down, and are also with a secure latch, durable build and leakproof interior. Made from upcycled coconut husks that would otherwise be burned or landfilled, they are ideal to replace toxic plastic cooler bags. This upcycled coconut insulation provides additional income to farmers in The Philippines, and creates new jobs in rural areas. Created by biologists and conservationists, and engineers.
Wheat Straw Picnic Cutlery
This wheat straw picnic cutlery is made from leftover wheat, which may otherwise be burnt. The pocket-size set is ideal for eating on the go, and includes a fork, spoon and chopsticks, along with its own handy travel case.
Emile O’Connor’s bamboo tableware is beautifully designed, and biodegrades at end of use, although it should last you years. Ideal for outdoor eating and picnics, everything is sustainably sourced. The range includes separate items or dinnerware sets, and and bamboo fibre cups, salad bowls and lunch boxes.
Bamboo is a fast-growing grass (not the same as fresh shoots eaten by pandas). It is naturally anti-bacterial and can be composted or biodegraded, at end of life. Dishwasher-safe, the sets mostly contain a large salad bowl with bamboo chopping board lid and servers alongside 4 plates and cups, all in a beautiful gift box.
Cheap & Tough Enamel Picnic Ware
Rather than plastic, switch to enamel teapots, mugs and coffee pots. Enamel is made by dipping cast iron or steel in liquid enamel under high temperatures, for a tough glossy finish. It can chip but it’s difficult to shatter, unlike glass. So won’t leave dangerous litter around for wildlife. Nor break down into microplastics like disposables. It’s also cheap and lightweight, so ideal for picnics and camping. It also does not react to acid, so won’t change the taste of your foods or drinks. And once home enamel is easy to wash, including being dishwasher-safe.
Falcon Enamel Teapots never go out of date. Rugged and beautiful, they are also highly functional. Not only can they be used as teapots, but also good for induction hobs to heat water as a stovetop kettle. Also good for camping, in many pretty colours.
All these finds are from an online shop owned by a York indie shopkeeper, who is a third-generation hardware shop owner, who knows everything there is about garden hoses and broom handles! He also knows everything about lightbulbs, eco cleaning brands, carpentry and the best way to brew tea! So shop here to support a precious northern indie shopkeeper, who is doing good for the world!
All these finds are from an online shop owned by a York indie shopkeeper, who is a third-generation hardware shop owner, who knows everything there is about garden hoses and broom handles! He also knows everything about lightbulbs, eco cleaning brands, carpentry and the best way to brew tea! So shop here to support a precious northern indie shopkeeper, who is doing good for the world!
Falcon Enamel Tumblers are sold in many pretty colours. In two sizes, these are unbreakable and ideal for serving drinks or pickles! The mini tumblers are good for dips, salt and pepper or even a quick espresso.
Falcon Enamel Mugs are strong and versatile, and very beautiful. If you drop one, it may chip but it won’t break. Ideal for outdoors and camping, or just around the home.
Falcon Enamel Plates will take you back to your childhood camping days. As well as being safe and kooky, these plates are the size of a traditional plate, but have high sides, to stop food sliding off the edge!
Falcon Enamel Coffee Pot can be used as a traditional coffee pot, but also is suitable for all types of hob. 1.3 litres volume. Use with the enamel espresso cups.
