Packing lunches and picnics sustainably can be challenging at first. It's so convenient to default to Ziploc bags, plastic bottles, and disposable cutlery. But, with a little effort and creativity, you can easily minimize waste every time you prepare a meal away from home. Here are a few easy steps to picnic without waste.
Top tips for low-waste picnics
Use reusable containers
Invest in some great reusable containers like bento box style lunch boxes, wide-mouth glass jars, stainless steel tiffins, and insulated bottles. Look for ones that seal tightly to avoid spills and leaks. Having a variety of shapes and sizes makes packing foods easier.
Upcycle and repurpose
If you're not keen on buying containers or can't afford it, you can also re-use glass jars from your pickles, instant coffee or olives, for instance. Containers can be re-use, upcycled and re-purposed to serve a lunch boxes!
Opt for washable utensils
Choose reusable cutlery like the cutlery you have at home or bamboo forks and spoons, as well as cloth napkins instead of paper. Pack utensils in a pouch or container so they don’t get dirty.
Ditch single-use bags
Skip plastic baggies and plastic wrap. Beeswax wraps are a reusable alternative for covering food or lining containers. Silicone stretch lids also seal bowls and jars and can be a good re-usable option to single use plastic wraps.
Hydrate sustainably
Pack drinks in thermoses, stainless steel bottles or mason jars rather than disposable cups or bottles. Consider reusable straws if needed. Water, homemade juices, smoothies, iced tea, etc. make healthy, plastic-free options.
Go for fresh, unpackaged whole foods
Prepare salads and grain bowls in jars. Fresh fruits, veggies, cheeses, baked goods and other items with natural wrapping are ideal for low-waste lunches.
Make it a habit
Packing reusable lunches daily for work or school takes consistency and preparation. But it quickly becomes second nature. For picnics, just scale up your containers and supplies.
Get creative and have fun
With creativity and the right gear, you can make waste-free lunches that are also Instagram-worthy. Pack foods in colorful bento sections, add cloth napkin flowers, use nature props like leaves or pine cones. You’ll reduce single-use plastic while also making eating fun.
Packing sustainable lunches and picnics takes a small investment upfront. But the rewards for your wallet, your health and the planet make it well worth it. The good news is, you can also save on your re-usable containers purchases using some of our exclusive Ganddee Discounts (more in the app). Check what exclusive offers we have in store and save big on your future refillable items!
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