As the leaves turn color and start drifting to the ground, you might be tempted to transition your mealtimes indoors. But, that doesn’t mean the fun in nature has to end! It’s the perfect time to give your favorite summer activity an autumn twist… Ready?

Let’s plan a fall picnic! To help you enjoy the ideal afternoon — without a single piece of plastic in sight — we’ve put together a bunch of the best ideas and eco-friendly products. So, once you’ve picked the perfect picnic spot, let’s get packing!

Sustainable Picnic Basket

Whether you have a basket in mind, or need a little inspiration, we’ve got you covered! The easiest way to start is to get yourself a dedicated eco-friendly picnic basket made out of natural materials like sturdy woven wicker. Better yet, these often come with all of the essentials! If you don’t have one, don’t worry, you can use any basket you have on hand with a blanket inside or reusable bags instead.

Eco-friendly Utensils

Speaking of essentials, many picnic baskets come as a set filled with small plates and utensils that tuck neatly into the top and sides. This can be a perfect option to take your favorite reusables without bringing along icky single-use plastics. If your basket doesn’t come with them, no need to worry. You can simply pack your own silverware from home! We suggest making little pockets out of cotton napkins to tuck each set in. Or, wrap each set with twine for festive flair! Then, use more napkins or extra dish towels to wrap your plates in to keep them chip-free!

Natural Blankets

Every picnic needs a cozy blanket. But wait! Many contain synthetic fibers made of, you guessed it, plastic! So, in order to keep your fall picnic plastic-free, we recommend using a wool blanket, perfect for laying on the soft ground of a field or forest. If you’re heading to the beach, a cotton towel is an excellent choice. But, keep in mind, it is likely to be cold this time of year! So, we recommend bringing along extra blankets and some pillows too, to stay warm and comfy.

Seasonal Bites

Now it’s time to talk about the best part of any fall picnic – the food! To keep it plastic-free, we encourage you to avoid processed or packaged foods. Instead, try to shop for seasonal produce at your local farmer’s market and make your most-loved meals from scratch. Our favorite fall treats include butternut squash mac and cheese, pumpkin soup, and fresh apples with a sprinkle of cinnamon. For the littlest ones, we love sweet potato puree!

Plastic-Free Containers

All those yummy foods need to stay fresh somehow! But instead of turning to plastic bags or boxes, add foods you want to keep warm (or cold!) to safe, plastic-free insulated lunch jars like the ones from Pura Stainless. For foods you’d like to keep at room or outdoor temperature, the Pura lunch containers are the perfect choice! Unlike most on the market (yes, even eco-friendly products!), both of these options are 100% plastic-free. That way, you never have to worry about pesky microplastics or nasty chemicals leaching into your food or making it taste (and feel) totally off!

Better Beverage Storage

What is a picnic (or anything fall) without yummy beverages! Of course, Pura also created the safest reusable water bottles on the market. Now, you can enjoy any seasonal sips you desire, with no plastic whatsoever! Your favorite hot cocoa, apple cider, or pumpkin spice latte is sure to stay warm or cold for hours in our insulated stainless steel water bottles. Plus, every Pura bottle fits every Pura lid so there are plastic-free options for the whole family. Even better, each and every Pura product is MADE SAFE certified, so you can be sure that your dream fall picnic doesn’t come with a side of microplastics or toxic chemicals.

(Note: if you’re filling our bottles with hot beverages, be sure to use our Kiki™ Silicone Sealing Disc tops for a complete, airtight seal.)

At Pura Stainless, we are here to help you live a full, happy, and safe life with your family using the healthiest, most eco-friendly products out there! We hope these fall picnic ideas help you have a whole lot of fun while staying sustainable! Head to our website and shop our 100% plastic-free water bottles and lunch containers today!