This pretty woven placemats are handmade from recycled newspaper, and roll up for easy storage after dinner at home, or stick a few in your picnic bag for summer.
Crafted from junk into something beautiful, designs (including the thread) may vary, but loveliness comes as standard! The price shown is for one placemat only.
Tips for Zero Waste Picnics
- Use a personal ashtray to safely stub out butts, to prevent wildfires.
- Boycott beer brands that wrap in plastic rings (invisible in water, so harm wildlife).
- For party picnics, don’t release balloons.
- Keep dogs away from cooked bones, salt, crusty bread, chocolate, beer, salt fizzy drinks etc.
- Don’t give nearby wildfowl leftover crusty bread (can choke) nor salty leftovers like sandwiches (fat smears on feathers, affecting waterproofing/insulation).
Karten picnic tables (also for children) are made from sturdy cardboard and biodegrade after use (they also make cardboard tents and chairs!) These tables are strong enough for four people (as long as you don’t jump on them!)
Pretty Recycled Cotton Picnic Mats
Tikauo is a unique London brand that offers beautifully designed place mats, aprons and beach totes, made from waste cotton in the Indian textiles industry. The founder belongs to a family that makes textiles, and after writing a thesis on cotton waste, decided to make use of waste fabric, to make other goods and save it going to landfill.
The recycled cotton place mats are lovely for al fresco dining. This design is inspired by the Mughal Gardens in Kashmir.
Due to fillings for seat pads and cushion covers being made with recycled polyester, wipe-clean items. If laundered, use a microfiber filter.
Everything is designed in London, and ethically made in India. Then sent in zero waste packaging.
A Recipe for a Vegan Picnic Quiche
This vegan tomato quiche (Rainbow Nourishments) is super-simple to make, with everyday affordable ingredients. Ideal for a summer lunch or picnic, once mastered, it’s sure to become a staple recipe in your kitchen.
Before cooking, read up on food safety for people & pets.
The recipe begins with a homemade shortcrust pastry (simply flour and oil), which can also form the base for several other recipes. Press the dough into a tin and bake the crust for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile blend your quiche filling (organic Tofoo – made in Yorkshire) along with flavour ingredients (onion and garlic powder, salt, pepper, cheesy-tasting nutritional yeast and kala namak or ‘black salt’ for eggy flavour).
Once the tofu filling is of custard consistency, arrange 1 cup of sliced fresh tomatoes into the batter, then bake the quiche for around 40 minutes. You can optionally add in other veggies like potatoes, caramelised onions, sauteed spinach, asparagus or even grated vegan cheese.
To make a ‘vegan Quiche Lorraine’, simply add some cooked vegan bacon slices to the quiche mixture. La Vie is a good brand, made from pea protein (a best-seller in France and found in shops everywhere).
Serve this delicious vegan quiche in slices, with a green side salad.
Zero Waste Cool Bags (for picnics)
Items made from recycled bottles are not always that great for clothing (release microplastics in the machine). But wipe-clean items like this insulated cool bag are a great idea. This bag is made by the company Thermos (that makes the flasks) so you know that this is quality.
This bag uses up 18 PET plastic bottles in manufacture, to stop them going to landfill. The bag features a PVA-free PEVA heat-sealed lining, and a branded stainless steel zipper pull. There are also durable stainless steel fastenings, and an adjustable padded carry strap.
U-Konserve Recycled PET Ice Pack is made from recycled plastic bottles, and features a non-toxic gel pack inside for lunch bags, or to keep baby bottles or bumped knees cold. In 2 colours (seafoam and grey), just pop in the freezer with the cover on, place in your lunch box and the ice pack will keep your lunch cold for hours.
The cover should usually remain moisture-free. The cover is machine-washable, air-dry. The gel pack is made from sodium polymer.
