• What instead of plastic cutlery, plates and cups?
• Picnic drinks
• Food preparation
• Handkerchiefs, cloths and towels
• What should I pack the food in?

A picnic is a great way to spend time together outdoors. It's a low-cost activity, a great way to get a good dose of vitamin D, and a great way to spend time with your kids or, more romantically, just the two of you. When summer arrives, stores offer a wide range of picnic accessories, including disposable cups, plates, plastic straws, cutlery, and napkins. However, we can easily organize a more eco-friendly picnic that produces less waste without leaving a mountain of plastic behind.

What instead of plastic cutlery, plates and cups?

Disposable cutlery, cups, and plates seem like a practical solution because, unlike packed dinnerware, they're lighter. There's also no risk of them breaking on the go. Their biggest drawback, however, is their significant environmental impact. An alternative to yet another pack of disposable items, as well as household tableware that can break, is reusable tableware, such as bamboo. It's lightweight, aesthetically pleasing, doesn't break, and most importantly, we can reuse it.

Picnic drinks

Not only for the environment, but also for ourselves, traditional and refreshing lemonade made at home is a better solution than sugary drinks filled with artificial colors and preservatives and stored in plastic bottles. It's a childhood favorite; we can simply drink it in reusable bottles, including thermos flasks, or larger water bottles. Thermos flasks are, of course, best for coffee and tea. Straws are also a great way for children to enjoy their drinks – reusable straws made of materials such as silicone or paper are a good alternative to plastic straws.

Food preparation

A healthy, eco-friendly, zero-waste picnic also means avoiding store-bought snacks. Chips, greasy crisps, sweets, and mass-produced sweet rolls—not only are they wrapped in plastic, but they're also bad for our health. After a picnic full of such delicacies, we feel sluggish rather than rested and relaxed. Preparing delicious and healthy food at home can be part of the fun of a picnic. Of course, sandwiches, salads, spreads, fresh vegetables , and seasonal fruit are all perfect for a picnic.

Handkerchiefs, cloths and towels

Wet wipes and paper towels are truly practical and easy to use. We often instinctively reach for them. Unfortunately, they're not only packaged in plastic, but often also contain it in their ingredients. Instead, small wipes or towels that can be moistened with water are also suitable. This way, we won't leave any waste behind.

What should I pack the food in?

It's best if the food we prepare at home is packaged in reusable containers. For picnic sandwiches, wax wraps are best. These are fabrics made from natural materials (usually cotton or linen and impregnated with beeswax) with the properties of aluminum foil. They're a great alternative to single-use plastic bags, food wrap, aluminum foil, and paper bags. They can be washed and reused. Foods like salads, fruit, cut vegetables, and pasta, as well as snacks like nuts and seeds, are best packaged in reusable containers or simply glass jars.

In order not to forget anything, it is worth making a summary list in advance of what we can take with us:

• homemade food packed in reusable packaging,
• Water and homemade drinks, e.g. lemonade in thermos flasks, thermos flasks and water bottles,
• reusable plates, cups and cutlery, e.g. made of bamboo,
• Paper, silicone or bamboo straws ,
• picnic blanket,
• Cloths or towels made of natural materials,
• Board games, cards, balls.

Finally, let’s not forget to clean up and take away the leftovers – peels and other vegetable scraps belong in the brown bin for biodegradable waste.