Plastic-free (and plant-based) summer picnic ideas
Many people enjoy a summer picnic, but it’s important to keep children and pets safe, and take any litter with you, to avoid birds and wildlife being harmed. A zero waste vegan picnic is free from clingfilm, soggy sandwiches and leftovers that nobody wants.
It’s simply a matter of planning with care, ensuring the goods chosen are going to be eaten, and are easy to carry and keep chilled. Plan your portions, depending on number of people and appetites.
- Keep picnic foods away from dogs (everything is at eye level!) This is especially important if you are eating animal foods like chicken, due to cooked bones (a choking hazard).
- If you smoke, use a personal ashtray (this immediately extinguishes butts until you find a secure bin, to avoid littering and wildfires).
- Choose a shady sport and look for parks with tap refill stations (to avoid plastic bottled water). And free loos, to wash your hands.
- Choose reusable lunch boxes to store everything from sandwiches to pots of dip and hummus, and take reusable water bottles to carry drinks. And choose zero waste reusable cutlery.
Read up on food safety for people and pets. For tinned ingredients, rinse/remove lids (or pop ring-pulls over holes) then step on upper cans to pinch rims together, to stop wildlife getting trapped.
Unless you have food waste bins, just bin pepper and allium scraps (onion, leeks, garlic, shallot, chives), citrus/tomato/rhubarb scraps. To avoid acids harming compost creatures.
Use an insulated food bag for chilled goods, and eat within 2 hours (or within an hour for hot weather). Keep mayo-style dressings (even vegan ones) separate. Only adding as you eat.
Take all rubbish home after wiping clean spills. Scan the area for micro-litter, to avoid contaminating local rivers and soil. And to keep wildlife safe from leftovers (salt, fat, stale bread, chocolate etc).
Choose no-bone vegan china sets!
Mikasa Vegan Bone China™ is the animal-kind alternative to fine bone china, which is made from gelatine, usually from cows or pigs in factory farms. This brand is dishwasher and oven safe up to 400°F. It’s also microwave-safe (never heat baby or pet foods in microwaves).
- Tower Hill Stables and Surge Sanctuary both sell no-bone china mugs, to help pay for food and hay, for their rescued barnyard friends.
- Northumberland artist Alex Clark sells no-bone china mugs, with lovely illustrations. Makes a beautiful gift for anyone who loves animals and drinking tea, at the same time!
Tasty vegan picnic recipe ideas
Vegan chickpea ‘tuna’ sandwiches (The Veg Space)
Favour foods that travel well, with ingredients that don’t collapse in the heat, nor make bread go soggy for sandwiches. It’s best to mix salads the morning you travel, and include a few baked treats, made beforehand. Good choices include:
- Roasted veg wraps
- Pasta salad with lemon and herbs
- Couscous tabbouleh
- Rice and bean salad
- Baked treats like flapjacks
Klean Kanteen Rise tumbler
Klean Kanteen Rise Tumbler is made from recycled stainless steel, pairing sleek curves with a splash-proof Slide Lid for easy sipping and cleaning. Fully insulated with Climate Lock™ technology, this keeps your drinks hot or cold for hours, and the impact-resistant base cap provides added durablity.
The cap/lid is not leakproof. Avoid hot drinks from wide spouts.
The 16oz size is designed to flow with your day, then just pop it in the dishwasher when you get home. It has a wide stable base and fits most cup holders. Choose from 5 attractive colours.
The larger 26oz size is ideal for those who like a lot of coffee to get through the day! It’s sold in several colours including navy and red.
Klean Kanteen low ball tumbler
The low ball tumbler is a smaller 8oz size, ideal for a morning espresso or nightcap by the fire. Classy, compact and ready for anything! This is perfect for a short drink or relaxing beverage.
This reclaimed wood cutlery set is ideal for camping, picnics, festivals and travel. The set is also dishwasher-safe and composts at end of life.
Use code JUNGLECUTLERY30 for 30% discount for both sets.
Zero waste cutlery sets (for travel or picnics)
This reclaimed wood cutlery set is ideal for camping, picnics, festivals and travel. The set is also dishwasher-safe and composts at end of life.
Use code JUNGLECUTLERY30 for 30% discount for both sets.
A reusable bamboo cutlery set
This reusable bamboo cutlery set is sold in an array of pretty colours, packed in a hessian bag, when eating on the go. The set is created by a company that works with Vietnamese farmers and artisans, using sustainable alternatives to plastic, which is devastating the planet.
Each set is handmade from organic bamboo and includes everything you need for meals away from home:
- A bamboo fork
- A bamboo spoon
- A water-resistant serrated bamboo knife
- A reusable bamboo straw (and coconut cleaning brush)
Why choose reusable cutlery sets?
France banned single-use plastic cutlery years ago, we were very slow to catch up. The recent single-use plastic ban has some exemptions, but includes a ban on selling plastic cutlery. But it still exists for items already bought, and the ban is not yet worldwide.
The size and shape of plastic cutlery means it often falls down storm drains and goes into the sea if littered. Where fork prongs and knife marks can damage soft-bellied creatures.
Where to recycle existing plastic cutlery
A few councils may recycle it, but most won’t. The best option is to have your community buy a one-off recycling box at Terracycle. Then people can deposit unwanted plastic cutlery, which are sent off in the prepaid box to be made into industrial items. The box can also accept:
- Sweet wrappers
- Plastic straws
- Balloons
- Plastic flowers, ribbons, and bows
- Tinsel
- Party hats and costume masks
A reusable bamboo cutlery set
This reusable bamboo cutlery set is sold in an array of pretty colours, packed in a hessian bag, when eating on the go. The set is created by a company that works with Vietnamese farmers and artisans, using sustainable alternatives to plastic, which is devastating the planet.
Each set is handmade from organic bamboo and includes everything you need for meals away from home:
- A bamboo fork
- A bamboo spoon
- A water-resistant serrated bamboo knife
- A reusable bamboo straw (and coconut cleaning brush)
Why choose reusable cutlery sets?
France banned single-use plastic cutlery years ago, we were very slow to catch up. The recent single-use plastic ban has some exemptions, but includes a ban on selling plastic cutlery. But it still exists for items already bought, and the ban is not yet worldwide.
The size and shape of plastic cutlery means it often falls down storm drains and goes into the sea if littered. Where fork prongs and knife marks can damage soft-bellied creatures.
Where to recycle existing plastic cutlery
A few councils may recycle it, but most won’t. The best option is to have your community buy a one-off recycling box at Terracycle. Then people can deposit unwanted plastic cutlery, which are sent off in the prepaid box to be made into industrial items. The box can also accept:
- Sweet wrappers
- Plastic straws
- Balloons
- Plastic flowers, ribbons, and bows
- Tinsel
- Party hats and costume masks
