One of my resolutions for this year has been to tip the balance in terms of our household waste and accumulation of single-use containers. Last year, our ratio looked something like this: 60-percent trash and 40-percent poorly sorted recycling. Now, over the course of a four months, and with some key lifestyle changes (like keeping our compost in the freezer), our ratio is moving in the right direction: 60-percent compost, 30-percent recycling, and just 10-percent trash.
Then, the other weekend, a freakishly sunny Saturday was cause for an impromptu picnic with friends. On the way to the park, we picked up some pre-made things—fruit, bread, the usual picnic fare—but as the sun went down and we were packing up to head home, we had created three bags full of plastic waste. What a shame! In an afternoon’s time the balance was tipped back again. This set me off on the hunt for reusable picnic gear, for a designated set to bring to a picnic, the beach, and on camping trips. (Unintended bonus: the reusable stuff photographs so much better—if you’re into that sort of thing.) Here’s our list to sort through before the real good weather sets in:
Food Containers
Above: The Rosti Mepal Storage Box comes in white (shown), black, and soft pastel colors. It has a transparent cover and is dishwasher, microwave, and even oven-safe; €7 at Merci. They’re also available stateside at Food52 sold in sets of 4 for $60 and $70 depending on size.
Above: My personal favorite to go containers are from Onyx, like the Divided Airtight Food Storage Container seen here. It’s made from stainless steel and is completely airtight (no spills); $30 at Goop. There is also the 14cm container for $18 and the 16cm container for $20 also at Goop.
Above: The silicone alternative to plastic baggies, the Stasher Reusable Sandwich Bag works especially well for picnics because when the snack within has been consumed, you only have a lightweight silicone pouch to pack away (as opposed to a clunky tin); $12 at Goop. It’s also available at Amazon for $11.99.
Dinnerware
Above: A longtime favorite for durable outdoor dinnerware, the Falcon Enamelware Tumbler comes in 11 different colors (shown in Sage) for $10 each. We also like the newer Enamel Cup from HAY (not pictured) that comes in four colors for $15 each.
Above: From the Alfresco Collection by Kinto the Bamboo Melamine Glass in Black is made from a blend of both materials (it’s not compostable, it’s reusable); €6 each at Merci.
Above: The White Bamboo Plate is made from a bamboo and melamine blend but looks like a typical paper plate; €7.50 each at Merci.
Above: The great thing about the Falcon Enamelware Deep Plates are that they work for just about any type of food (summer gazpacho, salad, or pie); $70 for a set of 4 at Falcon Enamelware.
Above: The Bamboo and Melamine Fork and Spoon from Kinto are €4 each at Merci.
Above: For sipping cool drinks in the sun, Stainless Steel Straws to the rescue. This set from Schoolhouse comes with a bristle brush for easy cleaning; $14 for 4 at Schoolhouse.
Above: It’s always a little scary packing a knife to go but if you have any charcuterie involved in your picnic (or an apple or anything that requires more force than a butter knife), it’s an essential. I have the Snow Peak Cutting Board Set Medium. It’s perfect because the knife stows away in the cutting board itself; $39.95 at Snow Peak.
Above: Keeping food chilled on the way to the park is always tricky. But if you pair the reusable, plastic-free Onyx Stainless Steel Ice Pack ($19.99 at The Wild Minimalist) with an insulated cooler bag, your food should make the journey melt-free.
Linens
Above: We’re longtime fans of the Ambatalia Linen Bento Bags. You can wrap up fruit, vegetables, nuts, bread, or crackers and tying it with a knot at the top keeps everything more secure than you might a linen sac could; $24 for the large bags at Ambatalia. (Photograph from Quitokeeto.)
Above: Paper towels are crucial at a picnic (there’s always a spill of some kind) but the single-use nature and often-bleached, non-recycled material doesn’t earn them a spot on our list. What does however, is the My Drap Roll of 11cm Tear-off Napkins. It’s a roll of 50 napkins that can be washed up to six times and are biodegradable (just remember to compost them) at the end of their life cycle; €15.90 at Merci. We also like the Un-Paper Towels that are $16 for 6 at Package Free Shop.
Above: Every picnic needs a baguette, and while you could wrap yours in a cloth, the Aplat Baguette Tote is pretty appealing—and can carry up to three baguettes; $50 at Aplat. Another option for a bread bag are those made by Dans Le Sac.
Above: Once you get hooked on beeswrap you’ll never turn to a plastic baggie again. The Beeswrap Food Wraps are good for covering bowls, wrapping veggies and greens and just about any food item. They’re also great to bring a couple unused wraps to the picnic for taking home anything half-eaten. $18 for a variety pack at Zero Waste Store.
Looking for more ideas on zero waste living? See our posts including posts on Remodelista and The Organized Home:
