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For lovers, friends or family, the success of a picnic depends largely on the beauty of the natural setting in which it takes place. And it’s even better when you respect the place by taking a few precautions to leave it as it was when you arrived. Here are some tips for a zero-waste and eco-responsible picnic.

Drinks

The use of water bottles and thermos flasks for hot drinks is essential to avoid leaving many plastic bottles behind. For soft drinks, it’s a bit more complicated unless you use a Sodastream type carbonation machine. As for wine, it is sometimes sold in bulk in specialised shops: you bring your flask or take a returnable bottle on the spot and fill your container directly at the tank. If not, we can console ourselves by recycling the glass bottles after the picnic.

Tableware

Of course, disposable plates and cups should not be used. You can replace them with reusable stainless steel or plastic cups to avoid breakage. It is not out of the question to use household tableware but, apart from the heavy basket, this is at your own risk. Knives, forks and other utensils, on the other hand, are safe. You can therefore bring them along safely. There are also reusable stainless steel straws. Ah… Yes… I forgot… Obviously, napkins will be fabric (no more kitchen roll).

Packaging and other containers

To avoid industrial packaging, you will have taken care to prepare the meal with fresh products. You can then transport the meal in a salad bowl, bento boxes or individual plastic, stainless steel or glass lunch boxes. There are also reusable food packaging fabrics (‘beewraps’). They are usually made of organic cotton, coated with beeswax, pine resin and organic sunflower oil. They avoid the use of cellophane and aluminium foil. The wax will eventually disappear (after many picnics!), but you can easily restore them yourself with a small kit available in specialist shops. Clean them in cold water with a simple sponge (no dishwasher).

 

The meal

Of course, the emphasis here is on ‘homemade’ rather than industrial salads and sandwiches in plastic packaging. Here are a few ideas. But I will develop this subject in more detail in other articles.

  • For the aperitif: dried fruits, almonds, pistachios…
  • Home-made cakes
  • Mixed salads
  • Home-made sandwiches
  • Easy-to-eat raw vegetables (carrot sticks, radishes, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, etc.) with a little home-made sauce.
  • Fruits, homemade cakes for dessert

The concept of the bespoke picnic

Some picnics deserve special attention, particularly when it comes to asking for your beloved’s hand in marriage, or celebrating a birthday. Nothing should be left to chance if you want to ensure that this moment remains etched in your memories forever. For this reason, it is sometimes advisable to call on an agency with specialist expertise in the field. They will be able to design a high-end, custom-made event, and make sure it is a success.

Noëlle Mendy

Author Noëlle Mendy

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