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Stop disposables
In the USA alone, about 740 million barrels of oil are used per year just to make plastic wrap, containers and cutlery that sits in landfills for the next million years or so.
Preserve makes a line of extremely durable utensils, cups and plates made from recycled plastics in three cheery colours: Lilac Purple, Tulip Red, and Pear Green. Keep using them until they are worn out and then toss them into your recycling bins as long as your community handles #5 plastics. Available at Target, Whole Earth Stores or online from Green Home.
Core Sales in Toronto sells an assortment of cups and take-away containers that are corn based Poly Lactic Acid that are compostable and biodegrade in 47 days.
Asian solution
Think Natural Products sells the gorgeous and super-green Reborn® Disposable plates made from the leaf of the Areca tree, a genus of trees found in Malaysia. Ranging in hues from pearls to light beiges to iridescent copper, these 100 percent biodegradable plates are soak-proof, devoid of wax coating, can handle hot or cold food and can be hand-washed to be re-used. Also available at Green Feet. The company even sells compostable SPORKS.
Bamboo alternatives
Bamboo is another lightweight material. Pick up a permanent cutlery set for under $10 at Branch Home, which also sells the high-end disposable Veneerware. Created by Bambu, this organic bamboo tableware contains no bleach or dye and will biodegrade in four to six months. Also sold online at Green Feet.
Sweet alternative
Bagasse is another pleasing choice. It’s the woody pulp left over after sugar cane has been processes and is easily turned into the perfect paper plate that is microwavable, freezer safe, oil resistant while being able to handle hot foods. Even better it will biodegrade when it hits the landfill. World Centric sells bagasse along with compostable corn based cutlery and tableware. Branch Home also sells a line of unbleached bagasse plates.
The plain Jane potato starch tableware is equally compostable and highly functional. It's just not as popular as the others. You can pick them up in bulk from the Green Earth Office Supplies.
Tree Cycle also stocks them in packages of 50 settings or more.
Napkins
According to Sustainability Engineer Pablo Päster, 100 percent recycled paper napkins have the lowest environmental impact of all followed by organic, cotton or linen cloth napkins.
According to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), if every household in the United States replaced just one package of virgin fibre napkins with 100% recycled ones, we could save one million trees. They have an excellent list of companies selling the recycled napkins at local grocery and health food stores.
One of the best brands around and easily found in many Canadian stores is North River® napkins from The Cascades Tissue Group. Made from 100 percent recycled fibres and contains up to 70 percent post-consumer fibres, the napkins exceeds CFPA (Chlorine Free Products Association) standards in its product line and hold the prestigious Environmental Choice seal and are Green Seal Certified.
Other good sources include:
The easy solution
You can also take the easy route and buy a pre-made picnic backpack filled with re-usable items. Picnic Fun carries a line of lightweight bags nd backpacks in an assortment of colours starting at $22 USD dollars.
The deluxe bag would be the Picnic Plus Quattro basket, fully-loaded for four including a corkscrew and salt and pepper shakers followed by the Avalon-Riviera Picnic Backpack with a setting for two along with a detachable, insulated wine duffle.
All you need is your organic food and you're set to head off for the sunny pasture.
Anne Colvey is a regular contributor to Green Living Online. She likes to picnic away from ants.
Green Living Network
