Even if you have little experience of catering for family and friends, it is perfectly possible to host a zero-waste dinner party. You just need a little creativity and some careful forward planning.
Preparing for your dinner party
Begin by thinking about your menu. Seasonal produce from local suppliers is ideal for reducing your carbon footprint.
Be smart about portion sizes. You’ll want to avoid generating a lot of unnecessary waste, which will need to be managed afterwards.
In a perfect world, you could try growing your own produce, herbs, and spices, but you’d need to have put that plan in motion months earlier.
If that’s impractical, shop for supplies at local shops and farmers’ markets. Try not to travel too far: ride a bike if you can, and don’t forget to take your own containers and bags.
In addition, let guests know what your aims are. You’ll also need to decide whether you’re going to serve meat or fish or go completely vegan.
Eco-friendly decorations
You don’t have to buy expensive or single-use decorations to create a nice atmosphere. Natural foliage, dried flowers, leaves and berries can all look stunning as table or house decorations.
Reusable, compostable palm leaf bowls could be used to hold flower arrangements. Consider also making your own napkins out of fabric, which you can wash and use again.
Biodegradable tableware
Instead of single-use plastic tableware, use your own reusable plates or eco-friendly plates, bowls platters, and cutlery if you want something disposable. These can also make natural-looking table decorations.
Take it a step further by sourcing robust eco-friendly straws to serve with drinks.
Low-waste nibbles and snacks
Remember to forewarn guests so they don’t bring flowers wrapped in plastic, or chocolates shipped from the other side of the world. If they want to bring something, consider requesting a contribution to the meal instead.
Buy any pre-meal nibbles from local producers. Avoid using plastic wrapped crisps or nuts and serve on eco-friendly plates or sharing platters.
Olives from your local market, homemade crisps, melba toast, chopped or raw veg with homemade hummus and dips always go down well.
Avoid canned drinks or liquids in plastic bottles – serve refreshments from a jug.
Invite guests to re-use glasses so that you don’t create unnecessary washing up.
Home cooking for a more sustainable meal
If you’ve planned appropriately, you should be ready to cook everything: from starters to puddings.
Pre-bought meals nearly always involve non-environmentally friendly packaging or unsustainable ingredients and processes.
Fresh, homemade food generally tastes better, and will be healthier if you’ve abstained from additives and artificial flavouring.
Starters for eco-conscious sharers
If you’re not a keen or accomplished cook, don’t worry. Sharing platters can cut down on the need for fiddly presentation.
Platters of antipasti from your local butcher, bruschetta from your local baker with chopped tomatoes, local asparagus with a Hollandaise sauce, and seasonal vegetable soup are all great starters than can be locally sourced.
Magnificent and memorable mains
Your main dish will depend on whether you have opted for a vegan menu. Fortunately, there are many tried and tested vegan, vegetarian and sustainable dishes to choose from.
‘Sustainable’ doesn’t have to be a byword for ‘dull’. You could opt for a beany shepherd’s pie, a lentil curry, mushroom stroganoff, or a hearty vegetable hotpot.
Carbon-neutral afters
Sharing platters can work well. Try a selection of locally produced cheeses and chutneys and indulge in a tasting session. Use fresh and seasonal fruit where possible and homemade biscuits and sauces.
If you’re not up to baking and creating, lots of local producers sell cakes and biscuits which can be adapted with a few clever finishing touches.
For example, try cutting a chocolate sponge into small circles and decorate with raspberries, blackberries, and local cream.
Don’t overdo it
The key is to keep it simple . You don’t want to use large amounts of energy cooking multiple dishes.
Also bear in mind how many ingredients you’ll need. You don’t want to buy 10 different spices and only use a little of each. If that happens, donate leftover spices or herbs that you won’t use to someone who will.
Leftovers and takeaways
Avoid waste by encouraging guests to take home leftovers – we offer biodegradable bagasse takeaway containers. If you have substantially over catered, consider freezing some for another day.
Don’t forget to put scraps and peelings into a compost bin.
Finally, think carefully about how to wash up. You want to avoid standard washing up liquids and opt for something more environmentally friendly instead.
If you opted for biodegradable tableware, you’ll have the satisfaction of being able to dispose of everything in the home compost – no washing up required.
At FOOGO green we supply a range of reusable, biodegradable and compostable tableware for all occasions: from dinner parties and camping trips, to seasonal celebrations and once-in-a-lifetime events.
If you plan to cater for a party, we also offer attractive and sustainable party packs providing everything you’ll need when plating up to impress, while remaining conscious of the environment.
For more information about our selection of our natural, premium quality eco-friendly tableware options, get in touch with our friendly and knowledgeable team today.