Tasty (vegan) Zero Waste Picnic Ideas

Art by Angie

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.

Start with Good Sandwiches!

Of course, a good picnic starts with good sandwiches. Try recipes for vegan tuna or traditional cucumber!

A Summer Ploughman’s Lunch

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!) Recycle any packaging at supermarket bag bins.

Pack Some Mini Vegan Sausage Rolls

And be sure to pack some mini vegan sausage rolls, for when you get peckish later on!

A Glass of Refreshing Homemade Lemonade

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 (or two) of Vegan Victoria Sponge

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.

Stainless Steel Camping Cups

These beautiful stainless steel cups are sold in a set of four, in a stackable design to nest together, in pretty colours. They are also dishwasher-safe and easy to clean. Designed for durability, they are perfect for parties and picnics, to replace disposable plastic cups. Lightweight, they also resist cracking and staining.

Choose from 3 designs:

Brushed
Butterflies
Dragon Tails

Also in a larger size (473ml)

To help stainless steel cups last longer, wash soon after use, and dry with the lid off.

At beach clean-ups, volunteers often report plastic cups and lids among the most common finds. Sea turtles and seabirds can mistake floating cups and fragments for food. That mistake can block digestion and lead to injury. Yet just buying one stainless steel cup can stop this happening on your watch.

Stainless steel is also easily recycled, which helps to reduce mining. Unlike plastic, stainless steel does not deform with heat, turn brittle in cold weather, nor degrade in the sun.

The Rise Tumbler (recycled stainless steel)

The Rise Tumbler is a flagship product by quality brand Klean Kanteen, for hot or cold drinks. Made from from 90% recycled stainless steel, it has 473ml capacity, in nice earthy tones. The ergonomic design fits comfortably into your hand, and it also fits comfortably into most cupholders, so a great companion for commutes and car rides. Perfect for smoothies, cocktails or coffee, it’s also easy to carry. It also features a splashproof Flip Lid (not leakproof).

Cleaning tips: