As the first days of the London summer roll in, the city springs to life as everyone flocks to the parks and gardens for a picnic. However, while we’re out there enjoying nature, our picnics often leave behind a trail of plastic waste, from disposable cups and cutlery to plastic film packaging. That’s why we're here to help with eco-friendly tips that make your picnics more sustainable without compromising on fun and deliciousness.
Here are our tips to plan ahead for a zero waste picnic season!
#1: Reusable Containers
Stainless Steel Screwtop Container
When it comes to picnics, food takes centre stage. Instead of relying on pre-packaged snacks from the supermarket, why not bring your own zero waste snacks? Think vibrant vegetables, fruits, colourful dips, and crunchy nutritious nuts. In just a matter of minutes, you can whip up homemade hummus or guacamole in a blender— leaving your taste buds dancing and your guests seriously impressed. Store your food in a leak-proof stainless steel screw-top canister, ensuring that every bite remains at its best for as long as possible. Not only will you savor the satisfaction of homemade goodness, but you'll also impress your fellow picnickers with your commitment to sustainable snacking.
ABOVE: BRING HOME-MADE HUMMUS IN A STAINLESS STEEL SCREWTOP CONTAINER
Elephant Box
When it comes to accommodating your picnic spread, the Elephant Box reigns supreme with its impressive 2-litre capacity. This 100% stainless steel container can hold a bountiful salad or a mouth-watering assortment of sandwiches.
ABOVE: BRING YOUR SALAD AND PACK YOUR LEFTOVERS IN A 2 LITRE ELEPHANT BOX
#2: Beeswax wraps
Leave behind the wasteful single-use plastic cling wrap. Introducing Wild & Stone's stunning collection of beeswax wraps, the perfect addition to complement your summer picnic theme.
These beeswax food wraps are reusable and washable, made from GOTS-certified organic cotton and sustainably-sourced beeswax. Ideal for bread rolls, sandwiches, pastries, fruit and vegetables. They'll even double-up as convenient salad bowl covers, as they can mould to virtually any shape.
Above: Colourful Beeswax Wraps will brighten up your zero waste picnic
#3: Reusable water bottles
Reusable containers aren't just for snacks, but for drinks too. Say goodbye to plastic bottles and embrace the convenience of a refillable bottle. For temperature control, stainless steel is the best choice - ensuring icy-cold water or piping-hot tea. Here's a pro tip: add a few ice cubes to your bottle for an extra refreshing sip of cool water.
Above: A wide-rimmed stainless-steel bottle lets you add ice cubes for extra-cool drinks
#4: Reusable cups
Upgrade your picnic game by ditching plastic disposable cups and switching to reusable stainless steel cups. Even Glastonbury festival has made the switch to stainless steel pint cups, solidifying their coolness factor. With their stackable design, these steel cups are effortlessly portable and a perfect addition to your picnic essentials. Plus, their sturdy construction ensures they won't break or shatter, providing peace of mind for those small (or big!) kid-related mishaps.
Above: Switch to stainless-steel cups and ditch the disposables!
#5: Straws
Straws suck, literally. Disposable straws cannot be recycled and contribute to an endless stream of waste. Take a stand and eliminate the need for straws altogether, or pack eco-friendly alternatives like reusable steel, silicone, or bamboo straws. For added convenience, colourful silicone straws are a fantastic choice to ensure you never mix up your drinks.
ABOVE: Reusable silicone straws are a safe alternative for picnics
#6: Cutlery
There’s no reason to buy separate ‘picnic’ items when your kitchen drawers will have almost all you need to pack a zero waste picnic. If you really must buy cutlery, invest in some lightweight bamboo sets that serve both picnics and everyday use or travel.
ABOVE: BAMBOO CUTLERY IS GREAT NOT JUST FOR PICNICS BUT ALSO EVERYDAY USE
#7: Tea towels
Leave behind the wasteful paper towels and opt for the practicality of your kitchen tea towels. These versatile essentials are invaluable for protecting plates and glasses from breakage during packing and are equally handy for wiping up spills.
Above: Organic tea towels are useful for packing fragile plates, and also to mop up spills!
#8: Second-hand picnic rugs and baskets
Why buy a brand new picnic basket when you can find a treasure trove of second-hand options? Explore online platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree for affordable and eco-friendly alternatives. The same applies to picnic blankets; you can even repurpose a bedsheet or towel for a budget-friendly solution.
How do you reduce waste during the picnic season ? Let us know your top tips in the comments below!