With some planning, you can make a beachside lunch or sunset dinner cruise luxurious and eco-friendly.  Heidi Worcester, Founder of maaterra, shares a range of eco-chic recommendations that will provide a memorable excursion from cast-off to making port.

Select Sustainable Tableware
Even with the best-laid plans, it’s impossible to anticipate the elements. Use reusable or compostable plates, cups, and utensils. Avoid single-use plastics — go for palm leaf plates, bamboo utensils, compostable cotton napkins, and 100% plant-based cups. An unexpected breeze can be expected. With sustainable tableware, if your palm leaf plate blows overboard, there is no reason to follow it into the water since it is only a leaf. Tableware made from renewable, organic materials will ultimately decompose and return to nature.

Dine With Local & Organic Food + Drinks
Source food locally to cut down on your carbon footprint. Offer plant-based options — they’re lighter on the environment and provide a selection of organic or biodynamic wines. Serve drinks in bulk (consider dispensers, large carafes, keg beer) to avoid cans/bottles.

Adorn With Eco-Conscious Décor
Use natural elements for decorations including seashells, driftwood, and flowers. Solar or LED string lights are great for ambiance if you are entertaining at twilight or evening. Also, skip balloons or streamers if the occasion is a celebration — they’re awful for marine life. 

Offer Music…And Possibly “Live” Entertainment
Consider a Bluetooth speaker with rechargeable batteries. There are a lot of excellent choices that will allow anyone with a smartphone to play deejay. The ultimate, however, is if you or one of your guests can provide live acoustic music. 

Plan For Responsible Waste Management
Ensure a successful outing by bringing recycling and compost bins onboard. Consider a couple of tasteful signs that educate your guests on the importance of not littering in the lake and ocean. You can even include a QR Code on the sign where guests can donate to an organization such as The Ocean Cleanup, which is committed to cleaning up 90% of floating ocean plastic by 2040. 

“Entertaining sustainably when on the water requires planning,” Worcester acknowledged. “But you will be surprised by how much guests appreciate the thoughtfulness and consideration put into a sustainable outing. The ocean gives us incredible memories, peace, and adventure — sustainable entertaining is a simple way to ensure we keep our waterways clean for generations to come.”