Green Picnic Products

Picnics are great for affordable family outings during the sunny spring, summer, and fall months, but often these outdoor meals are not very environmentally friendly. The plastic or Styrofoam plates most commonly used are non biodegradable and end up filling landfills. The paper towels are often made from virgin tree pulp and are bleached in a process that releases toxic chemicals into the environment. However, thanks to some green innovations, you can now enjoy picnics with your family using some more environmentally responsible products.

Although using plastic Tupperware to eat off of during a picnic may be greener than using one-time-use plastic or Styrofoam plates, Tupperware is still non biodegradable and may eventually end up in a landfill over time. A great alternative to such plastic ware is now available in products like bagasse plates or PLA (polylatic acid) cups which are made from derivatives from starches (corn, potato, tapioca, etc.). Bagasse is composed of 100% sugarcane fiber; using sugarcane fiber in such a way not only provides an alternative to plastic, it also provides an environmentally safe alternative to the burning of the sugarcane fiber (and thus releasing pollution) that normally follows sugarcane juice extraction. The biodegradation of bagasse plates takes about 90 days in a home composting facility. PLA plastic alternatives are made from starches and can be used for cold beverages; the time for PLA products to decompose depends on the type of starch that the products are made from. Besides being biodegradable and compostable, bagasse and PLA products are generally made from renewable resources-another aspect that adds to their green appeal. Both types of Styrofoam/plastic alternatives are available for purchase through www.worldcentric.org.

To add to the green factor of your picnics, try using paper towel/napkin alternatives in addition to biodegradable cups and plates. Regular paper towels are non green because they are generally made from virgin tree pulp; trees are cut down to make paper towels, and such paper products are only used once before being thrown away. Additionally, the bleaching process of turning paper towels into their brilliantly white color releases toxic chemicals into the environment; again, this is not a green option as paper towels are only used once before being thrown away. BirdE Towels, available though an Etsy seller, are a great and green solution to the paper towel problem. Made from unbleached cotton, the towels are sewn in about 10in. squares and are composed of extremely absorbent material. The towels can be tossed into the laundry and dry extremely quickly.

As you enjoy picnics with your family, try being green at the same time. Enjoy the great outdoors by taking care of the future earth through using these environmentally responsible products, which are all available for comparatively low prices. Remember to teach your children to pick up any trash around your picnic site and to leave the area looking better than you found it. Share the word about biodegradable or reusable and non bleached picnicking products with your family and friends.