How to Host a Zero-Waste Dinner Party in 2021
Hosting a party and aiming to keep it both sustainable and zero-waste is difficult. A few things you can do to reduce your waste at your next dinner party.
Food waste is a serious problem and single-use items, especially plastic, just end up in our oceans.
Planning Ahead is Key
Seriously, sending invitations out 2 weeks in advance and writing down things you need two days in advance is a no-no. Plan what you are going to cook and what you are going to need in advance. Hosting a themed party can help in reducing waste and figuring out exactly what you need in terms of ingredients. Some popular themes include a Harvest Dinner Party, Farmer’s Market recipe, Soup Dinner Party and more! If your neighborhood has a farmer’s market, go a week or two in advance, speak with the farmers on what they may have at the time of your dinner and plan the menu accordingly. Don’t forget your reusable grocery tote bag when you shop!
The UK based chef, George Rouse, said in Country Living Magazine that, “Every element of a zero-waste party needs to be effectively planned, right down to the last bit of seasoning. This means that a careful strategy and a lot of organisations is needed, which should always start with the menu. Consider which dishes you will be able to source the most sustainable ingredients for and how far you want to take the theme. For example, many people are choosing to go vegetarian as they believe meat is not sustainable for the environment. However, it’s best to do as much research as possible into what ingredients are considered the most environmentally-friendly”
Get Your Guests Involved
Hosting a party is stressful and your friends/colleagues most likely feel the same way. Why not get them involved? You can shop and even cook with your guest(s). Having an outside perspective when it comes to how you use and discard food can be very helpful. You can always host a potluck and ask your guests to bring food, but make sure you do a headcount first and ask them to bring small portions.
Sometimes your guests may feel obligated to bring drinks or even deserts so coordinate with your guests when you can. Kindly ask your guests not to bring anything if not necessary.
Use Reusable Kitchenware
Yes, it is easy to discard paper plates, plastic forks, water bottles, paper napkins, and other single-use items, but the waste we create is simply not worth it! Our oceans are sadly filled with plastic and it’s predicted that by 2050 our oceans will have more plastic than fish. Your guests will appreciate using real dinner plates and may even offer to help wash them when finished. If you don’t have enough silverware, simply ask your guests to bring their own or borrow from your neighbor. Instead of paper napkins try using organic cotton tea towels wholesale. These multi-purpose tea towels can even be used as placemats for your table setting.
Multi-purpose tea towels can even be used as placemats for your table setting.
Hosting a party takes a lot of planning, but so does cleaning up after. During the party, make sure you have separate bins for trash, recyclables, and compost. If you have leftovers, try to send them home with your guests (make sure to ask your guests to bring containers). If you have fresh produce or canned goods that you did not use at the party and most likely will not use it in the future, find a food bank to donate to.
