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Well, the weather showed its best side this bank holiday weekend, getting people in the mind-frame for summer. Undoubtedly, picnics will be high on people's agenda in the weeks to come, so we've decided to share our ten favourite eco picnic accessories for all you greenies..
Aside from organic, homemade food and perhaps a bottle of English sparkling, there are a few things that'll make a picnic a real picnic rather than just a meal outside on a sunny day.
1. The Life's a Picnic bag
This set is ideal for people who can't -- or won't -- stomach Fortnum & Mason's posh picnic hampers, but still can't be bothered to get all the bits and bobs together themselves. It's a jute bag that's ethically made in India, and fitted into it is a fully biodegradable -- and reusable -- picnic set consisting of plates made from 100 per cent sugar starch, cups and glasses made from PLA bioplastic, napkins made from 100 per cent recycled and chlorine-free paper and cutlery that's made from corn and potato starch. Available from Nigel's Eco Store at £17.
2. Cassava picnic set
Among lots of tat, Firebox has a little gem, a biodegradable picnic set. It's not quite as sophisticated as the Life's a Picnic bag, but it still looks very good with plates, cutlery, cups and bowls all made from cassava starch. According to Firebox it only takes a few months for it to decompose in an ordinary compost bin. If you leave it in water -- strange, but hear us out -- it should disintegrate within a week. It comes with a little cloth that's neither organic nor Fairtrade, unfortunately. The Cassava set goes for £15 from Firebox.
3. The in-between picnic set
If neither F&M's nor the above mentioned picnic sets take your fancy, we're sure Biome's Eco Picnic Basket will be just right. The woven bamboo basket contains large plates, side plates, beakers, cutlery and a Frisbee -- all made from recycled plastic -- and a fair trade woven blanket. It's £60 from Biome Lifestyle.
4. Ganesha fair trade leaf plates
We think everyone should stock up on Ganesha's beautiful leaf plates for spontaneous picnics in the park. They look cool and will biodegrade quickly as they're simply leaves that are sewn together with cotton thread. Ganesha gets them from fair trade co-operatives in East India. They're £5 for 20 at Ganesha.
5. To sit on when the grass is dry…
We've also fallen in love with the recycled wool picnic blanket from 'hen & hammock'. Its bright coloured chequered pattern makes it look like a good, old-fashioned picnic blanket. The fact that it's made in Wales from 'shoddy wool', leftovers from the production of virgin wool and which would normally be thrown away, just makes it more attractive in our greenie eyes. The blanket is £20 from hen & hammock.
6. And to sit on when the grass is damp…
Whereas the pretty blanket from hen & hammock isn't great for damp days or for picnicking in the woods, Natural Collections' recycled picnic rug for is for picnic pros who aren't afraid of a little shower. The rug is backed with 100 per cent waterproof nylon (which we'd have liked to see made from recycled plastic) and the tartan top is made from pre- and post-consumer recycled wool. Available from Natural Collection for £45.
7. Cushions…
Are not essential, but they do make a picnic a little more cosy. We particularly like the colourful Ting cushions, which are made from reclaimed seatbelts like the Ting Sling. They're perfect for taking outdoors as they're sturdy and soil and twigs don't easily stick to them. They're £40 from ecobtq.
8. Fairtrade football
If you don't opt for Biome's basket with the recycled plastic Frisbee, we recommend a Fairtrade football for a bit of footie after the eating. They're made in Pakistan and sport the Fairtrade Mark, so don't worry that you're having fun at the cost of sweatshop labourers. They go for £20 from FairDeal Trading.
9. Wind-up radio
If you're not bothering people around you with it, there's nothing better than a bit of music or maybe a cricket game on the radio to accompany a warm summer day's picnic. While radios powered on old-fashioned batteries are completely out of the picture, we're quite keen on wind-up radios, and the Freeplay Summit is our favourite. It's available for £40 from Freeplay Energy.
10. And that parasol
Yes, we know £125 is a lot of money to fork out to get a pretty picnic, but what woman can resist this lovely parasol? It's hand appliqued and made by fair trade cooperatives in India. Available in different colours at Ganesha for £125.
Ganesha's fair trade parasol is perfect for pretty picnics
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