Let's have a plastic free and sustainable picnic !
Céline Cordonier
22 July, 2023
7 tips for a cute eco-friendly picnic with friends, including a delicious banana bread recipe
It's Plastic Free July and summer days are here so what's better than having a picnic in nature! Unfortunately, when trying to plan such event we end up using so much plastic or buying processed food. In this article we'll give you all the tips you need to be eco-conscious and have the best time with your loved ones.
What is Plastic Free July?
Started in 2011, Plastic Free July is a foundation which aims to end the plastic pollution. Each year, millions of people take the challenge to change their habits and go plastic free during July with the help of this organisation. Anyone can get involved either at home, work or even school and their website provides lots of different ideas to take action.
The campain stresses the fact that every little step is important to make a difference. Whether you refuse a single use plastic, bring your own water bottle or coffee cup, take a reusable bag for grocery shopping or share the challenge with your friends and family, all these actions together have an impact!
To learn more and challenge yourself, visit https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/ .
Our tips for a plastic free and eco-friendly picnic
1. Have a locally sourced picnic
It comes as no surprise that the food industry has a huge impact on our planet and health, so, why not choose better options for the health of the planet and you? In order to get all the yummy, organic food for your picnic, visit your local supermarket and choose some locally sourced, seasonal and organic foods. As part of the Plastic Free July challenge, try to avoid any plastic packaging and don't forget your reusable produce bags ;)
Check out our Pinterest board for some food inspo!
2 . Cook your own food
Not only will cooking your own meals help you save money but you’ll also avoid all useless plastic packaging. If you’re having the picnic with some friends you could arrange everyone to cook something so that you can all share your delicious meals.
Try for example pasta or rice salads, veggie sandwiches, homemade hummus, bliss balls, a chocolate cake, etc.
3. BYO (Bring Your Own)
Bringing your own things will first allow you to be creative by using what you already have and imagining a cute set up. If you’re missing something, do not hesitate to borrow from a friend or a family member and if they can’t help you, go to your local secondhand shop. What’s more, you’ll avoid any single use plastic utentils or disposable packaging that will end up in the landfill at the end of the event. For example, glass containers or beeswax wraps are a good alternative to plastic.
What I love doing when organizing my own picnics is to have a stop at the secondhand shop and get some cute vintage plates. They add the cutest aesthetic and people can bring them back home to keep for the next time !
4. Make your own drinks
You probably get the point, we want to reduce waste, unfortunately when it comes to drinks, most come in single-use bottles. Hence, you can simply bring your own reusable water bottle. If you wanna go for a more fancy drink, let’s make a homemade iced tea or lemonade !
We love these silicone cups and straws from GoSili which are perfect to take your drinks away and ultimately avoid plastic !
5. Find a cute spot in nature
Grab a blanket and find a quiet space to settle down. It can be on the beach, in the forest or in a park but try to be surrounded by nature. There is nothing more relaxing than some time in nature and I truly believe that the more we love Mama Earth the more we wanna take care of Her.
6. Leave the place as you find it
After having the best eco-friendly picnic in the sun, take everything with you and make sure there is no trace behind you. Keep a little trash bag with you in case there is no bin around and take 3 more pieces of rubbish with you as a small act of kindness for Mother Earth.
7. It’s okay to be imperfect
Lastly, don’t forget that every small step is worth taking. Nobody is perfect and will ever be. There is a famous quote by Anne Marie Bonneau that says : « We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly. ».
Banana bread recipe
Banana bread is by far one of my favorite things to cook. Not only does it allow you to use your ripe bananas and avoid food waste but it is also very easy and delicious! What's more, you can actually be so creative with this recipe by adding chocolate chips, nuts, etc.
Preparation: less than 30 minutes
Cooking: about an hour
What you’ll need : (for 12 servings)
- 125g butter
- 100g sugar
- half tsp of salt
- 2 eggs
- 3 ripe bananas
- 200g flavour
- 50g ground almonds
- 2 tsp baking powder
- cinnamon
- 1.5dl plant based milk
First, preheat at 350F/180C.
In a big bowl, add the butter, sugar, salt and mashed bananas. Add the eggs one by one and mix everything.
Then add separately the flavour, almonds, baking powder and cinnamon. Finally add the milk and mix everything together.
Grease a tin and pour the banana bread mixture in.
Bake into the oven for about an hour or until your cake is golden-brown.
Finally, remove from the oven and wait a few minutes for your banana bread to cool. Enjoy!!