Green Bean Eco Party Packs

08/07/2023

| PARTY FOOD |
What’s your favourite children’s party food? Growing up in New Zealand I can remember having hundreds and thousands sandwiches, cheese and pineapple hedgehogs and twisties. Now, my children’s’ favourite party foods include cheese sandwiches, cocktail sausages, carrot sticks and party rings! What party food do you remember from your childhood?

05/07/2023

| IS HIRING A PARTY KIT REALLY WORTH IT? |​​​​​​​​
With so many things to organise for a children’s party, surely just buying some disposable items while you’re at the supermarket is quick, easy, cheap, and doesn’t do any damage does it? How much waste can you actually save when you hire a party kit instead?​​​​​​​​
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If you’re hosting a class party for 30 children you’re likely to use at least 30 paper plates for the food, 30 disposable bowls for pudding or cake, 30 paper drinks cups (or even 30 cartons of juice with 30 little straws), maybe 6 foil or plastic food trays, 4 disposable tablecloths, 2 lengths of foil birthday banners. So far that’s over 130 items which will be swept up into a bin bag and thrown away after the party, none of which can be recycled because they’ve been contaminated with food waste. And that’s before you might add in single-use cutlery, balloons and other decorations, layers of wrapping on a game of pass-the-parcel, 30 crisp packets… the list could go on.​​​​​​​​
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Hiring a party kit might seem like just another thing to add to your to do list but it really couldn’t be simpler. Just let me know the date of your party, what size kit you’d like and in which colour scheme and that’s it! If you’re in Harpenden or Wheathampstead I can deliver it to your door, and I can even do the washing up. And I keep the costs really low to make sure that hiring reusables is cheaper than busing disposables. Surely that all makes it worth it.

02/07/2023

| DRESSING UP SUITCASE |
New product alert! You can now hire a suitcase of children’s dressing up costumes to go with your party kit.

Children love to dress up and this huge suitcase of outfits will just add to the fun of the party. There’s a huge selection for everyone to choose from including princesses, superhero’s, vets, doctors, animals and loads more.

It’s only £6 to hire alongside a party kit and is available in pre-school sizes at the moment - I’m also working on one for 5-7 year olds which will be available soon.

29/06/2023

| WHAT’S IN A PARTY KIT? |​​​​​​​​​

When you hire a reusable party kit from Green Bean you get all of this as a minimum:
- Plates
- Bowls
- Cups
- Drinks jugs
- Food trays
- Bunting
- Emergency kit
Plus, you can add lots of other items if you need them, including tablecloths, chip and dip platters, cake stands, cutlery, party hats, games and butler boxes.

There’s no need to buy anything for your party which will just be thrown away at the end, hiring is the way to go!

27/06/2023

| FEELING GOOD |
I collected a kit from one of this weekend’s customers today and she was buzzing about how much waste she’d saved at her daughter’s party. I was so pleased that she could feel what a difference she’d made by hiring a party kit!

The party sounded amazing as well. I mean, who wouldn’t love a disco with all of their friends for their 6th birthday?

26/05/2023

| SUMMER VIBES |
The birds are singing, the washing is drying on the line and there’s only one more sleep until half term, happy days!

This lovely weather looks like it will be sticking around next week, what are you all up to for the half term?

23/05/2023

☀️SUNNY DAYS ☀️
I saw lots of people with their picnic blankets out in the parks over the weekend, enjoying the lovely weather and eating outdoors. It’s definitely the start of picnic season!

Don’t forget you can save waste at a picnic by ditching the disposables and taking reusables with you instead. If you don’t have your own you can hire our picnic pack which has everything you’ll need, including plates, cups, cutlery, food containers, a thermos, napkins and a blanket to sit on. All for just £10, and no waste at the end!

My favourite picnic food has to be an egg sandwich and sweet, juicy strawberries. What about you?

30/03/2023

HOW DOES IT WORK?
Hi! It’s been a little while so I thought I’d pop on to give you a reminder of how hiring a Green Bean party kit works.

Once you know the date of your party and approximately how many children you’re expecting, then get in touch and let me know what kit you’d like and I’ll get it booked into the diary for you.

A couple of days before the party you can either collect the kit from me or, depending on your location, I can deliver it to your house.

Afterwards, you can either return everything clean or, for a small fee, I can wash it all up for you. I mean, parties are tiring enough without having to wash up at the end of them!

Then you just need to sit back, relax, and think about all of the single-use items you saved from going to landfill.

It doesn’t get much easier than that to make an impact on reducing waste. If you’ve got a party coming up soon get in touch and I’ll get your party kit hire booked in for you!

16/01/2023

| NEW YEAR, NEW INTENTIONS? |​​​​​​​​
Now that we’re well and truly back into the swing of things after Christmas, how are you doing with any intentions you’ve set yourself for the new year? I’m not very good with big resolutions, they tend to go by the wayside pretty quickly, but I do like to set myself a couple of small goals each year as I find this to be much more manageable.​​​​​​​​
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If one of your objectives this year is to live more sustainably or be more eco-friendly can you break this down into smaller steps which will help make the goal achievable? Perhaps assess your buying habits, cut out meat once a week - or book a reusable party kit for your next children’s party instead of buying single use items 😜.​​​​​​​​
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Small changes really do add up to make a big difference. Where will you start? Let me know, I’d love to hear!

16/12/2022

| SNOW DAYS |
How’s your snowman holding up out there? Ours is still going strong although he’s on a bit of a wonk so I’m guessing he might come down pretty quickly when it warms up over the weekend!

08/12/2022

| READY TO GO |

Party kits for this weekend are all packed up and ready to go! Each kit is bespoke and made up especially for each party and in total it all saves a massive 475 items from going to landfill.

Are you off to a party this weekend? Have a great time if so!

29/11/2022

| DO YOU DO FONDUE? |

These chip and dip platters are such a great way of serving fruit, veggies, hummous, crisps and biscuits at a party. And its’s just £3 to add a set of four platters to your party pack, how great is that?

25/11/2022

| PARTY READY |
It’s the weekend and we’re ready to party!

How good does this recent 4th birthday party set up look? The chip and dip platters are perfect for veggies and dip or fruit and there’s no need to throw any soggy paper plates away at the end. It doesn’t get much better.

Enjoy your weekend - and if your little ones are off to a party I hope they have a great time!

20/10/2022

| NOT-SO-SCARY HALLOWEEN |
It’s nearly that time of year again so here’s a few tips to make sure the amount of waste you create isn’t scary this Halloween!
👻 Dressing up - you don't need to buy a brand new Halloween costume every year. Re-use costumes often only worn once by checking out local charity shops, buying from Facebook selling sites, or arranging a swap event at your school or with friends.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🦇 Decorations - Halloween is a great opportunity to get the craft materials out and your children involved in making the decorations, especially as the weather is looking wet over half term. Scary skeletons, ghoulish ghosts and black bats can be made out of materials you're bound to already have at home and the kids will love seeing their creations decorating your house.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🎃 Pumpkins - don't waste your pumpkins! A shocking number of pumpkins are wasted at this time of year so try to use them for more than one purpose - scrape out the seeds then dry and roast them, and use the flesh to make a delicious soup.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍬 Trick or Treat bags - you don't need to go out and buy a themed bag for the kids to put their trick or treat stash in. An old pillowcase makes the perfect sweet-holder, as does any other reusable bag you already have. As long as the sweets can go in it your children won't mind!
🍽 Party plates - if you’re hosting a Halloween party then ditch the disposables and hire a reusable party pack for all your tableware. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🎃 Have you got any other top tips you can add this Halloween?

15/10/2022

| ABOUT LAST NIGHT |
Last night I went to the Community Business Awards 2022 and what a night it was!

I was so honoured that Green Bean was a finalist in the Sustainability Award category and although I didn’t win it was a very proud moment to be listed alongside four other incredible champions - Rothamsted Enterprises and winners

The evening was a great chance to celebrate just some of the fantastic talent and amazing small businesses we have in the local area. Special congratulations must go to for winning the well-deserved President’s Award. She is a truly amazing woman and is such an inspiration!

14/10/2022

| PARTY PARTY |​​​​​​​​

Oh hi! It’s been a while since I’ve posted but I’m still well and truly here, putting together party kits for lots of children’s parties behind the scenes.​​​​​​​​

I just wanted to remind you that as well as the petite, original and ultimate party packages I can also put together bespoke kits depending on exactly what you need. One of the packs out this weekend includes plates, bowls and cups for 60 guests, 8 drinks jugs, 8 food trays, 5 chip and dip platters, lots and lots of cutlery, 12 tablecloths, and a selection of small and large snack bowls. ​​​​​​​​

Just let me know and I’ll happily put together everything you need!

31/07/2022

| THE BIG COUNT |​​​​​​​​
I always keep a note of how many single use items my party kits save from going to waste when they go out to parties. And as a member of the I take part in The Big Count, an annual audit of all the party kits across the UK.​​​​​​​​
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I'm delighted to say that in the past year up until the end of July 2022 all my amazing customers have helped to save a total of 8,641 single-use items of tableware and decorations from ending up in landfill. Isn't that amazing? ​​​​​​​​
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Thank you to everyone who has hired from me in the past year and helped to spread the word about reusables. What a fantastic achievement.

28/07/2022

Are you planning any picnics over the school holidays? If you don't have everything you need, and don't want to buy single-use disposable items, then you could hire the perfect picnic pack. Including enough plates, bowls, cups, cloth napkins and food containers for 8 people, plus a thermos and picnic blanket, all in a lovely wicker hamper, the total cost is just £10 to hire. And not a soggy paper plate in sight.

25/07/2022

| AFTER THE WEEKEND |​​​​​​​​
The parties are finished for the weekend and now the washing up begins! Don't forget that I can do the washing up for you if you don't fancy it - and let's face it, who really does after hosting a party?

21/07/2022

Well this was a lovely surprise today! Green Bean is one of five finalists in the Sustainability Award of the Community Business Award 2022. How exciting!

Thank you so much to anyone who nominated me, I really appreciate it, and congratulations to all of the other finalists in every category. What a fantastic achievement!

20/07/2022

| CHECK ✔️ |
September might seem a long way off when we’re just finishing the school year, but if you’re booking any parties for the other side of summer before you go off on your holidays then don’t forget to get in touch.

I’ve already got lots of bookings in the diary for September and I’d hate for you to miss out!

14/07/2022

| BUTLER BOXES |
These boxes are such a great add on to a party kit. If you’re making your own food then they’re a must-have way of transporting it to the party and keeping it fresh until everyone is ready to eat. They’ve got two layers, the lid has a handle for carrying, you can serve directly from them and the best thing is that you don’t have to use cling film or foil. Amazing!

They’re available to hire for just £4 for one or £6 for two boxes. I love them - let me know if you’d like to add them on to your next party kit hire.

12/07/2022

| ALL THE COLOURS |
How great is this colour combo - I love it! Perfect for a summer party, or perhaps a certain South American fiesta theme?

10/07/2022

| IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS |
I get so many great comments from customers who have appreciated the emergency pack I include with all of the party kits. There's lots to think about when you're organising a party and it's easy to forget one or two little things. So the emergency pack is there just in case - it includes essentials such as candles, sellotape, scissors, blu tack, string and a tea towel.

Have you ever forgotten to take anything with you when you've organised a party?

07/07/2022

♻️ DID YOU KNOW… ♻️
I can take all of your empty crisp packets, sweet and chocolate wrappers, biscuit packaging and nuts packets, as well as lots of other empty packaging from your party. I’ve included photos of the full list (some of which are other items you might use at home).

Just pop them back in your party kit box when you’re clearing up (I include a handy giant peg to keep them all together) and I’ll make sure they get sent to TerraCycle UK to be recycled. Check out their website to find out more about what they do with these items and what they will eventually become.

04/07/2022

I had a lovely time at the Friends of Wood End School PTA fair on Saturday. It was so great to meet loads of local parents and chat about birthday parties and waste, and thankfully the predicted rain held off!
Next stop - the Crabtree Schools' Parents' Association Crabtree Schools' Parents' Association fair on Sunday 17th July with lots of other lovely stallholders including Parties, Tents and Events - Hertfordshire and Candy Queen Designs. I’ll be doing pass the parcel with the younger children so come and find me if you’re going, can’t wait!

26/06/2022

☀️ PICNIC PACK ☀️
I couldn’t let go by without launching this new pack to the Green Bean range. No more soggy plates on your next picnic, now you can hire everything you need!
The weather is perfect at the moment for taking the kids to the playground for an early outdoors dinner after school or for lunch at the park after weekend sport. If you haven’t already got everything you need, instead of taking single-use paper plates and plastic cutlery why not consider hiring instead?
You’ll get a set of 8 plates, bowls, cups, forks, knives and spoons, a set of containers to hold your food, cloth napkins and a picnic blanket, all packed up in a handy hamper. And the best thing is that it’s only £10 to hire. How good is that?
Now we just need the good weather to continue! ☀️ 🧺 🍓

20/06/2022

Voting closes on Friday! If you’ve got a minute to vote for Green Bean in the ‘Best Party and Celebrations Provider’ category I’d be very grateful.

There’s one week left to vote in our 2022 Awards. Have you voted for your favourite party provider yet? Food, cake entertainment and party supplies, the finalists in our Best Party & Celebrations Provider category can all help you create the perfect special occasion…

⭐️ DLMbakes
⭐️ Feeding Time
⭐️ Rich Funnybones Music
⭐️ Green Bean Eco Party Packs
⭐️ Showtime Circus

Vote your favourite in this, and all our other categories at www.mumsguideto.co.uk/harpenden/awards.php

Voting closes 24th June. Full T&Cs are on the website.

13/06/2022

| FULLY BOOKED |
If the number of parties this weekend are anything to go by there’s going to be a lot of happy - and tired - children by Sunday evening!

I’m fully booked up for the whole weekend with every last plate, piece of cutlery, jug and tablecloth going out for some fun. It’s also looking really busy in July and I’ve got bookings in the diary up until the end of September, so if you do have a party coming up and you need tableware make sure you get in touch now!

06/06/2022

Voting is now open in the Mum's guide to Harpenden awards! It’s been a tough few years across the party industry so to be nominated in the Best Party & Celebrations Provider category is such a boost.
If you’ve used Green Bean in the past and you’ve loved what I do then I’d really appreciate you taking just a minute to vote for me. Voting is open from now until June 24th - https://www.mumsguideto.co.uk/harpenden/awards.php

The Mum's guide to Harpenden Awards are back! Tell us who you think makes Harpenden a great place for families and children!

04/06/2022

I’m so proud and honoured to be included in this list of finalists - especially alongside these other party legends! Thanks so much to everyone who voted in the first round - don’t forget voting opens for the finals on Monday 6th June!

We are excited to announce the finalists in this year’s Mum’s guide to Harpenden Awards, including the shortlist for our 10th Anniversary Champion of Champions! This special category, celebrating our 10th anniversary features businesses who have been a winner at least once in any category, plus been a winner or runner-up in any category least one other year in the past 10 years.

Voting opens on Monday 6th June!

⭐️Best Activity Class or Group for Under 5s
Ballet Bugs - Dance With Sophie
Funnybones Music (Rich Funnybones)
Learning Lions
Muddy Mice
SAADI Gymnastics
The Little Gym Harpenden

⭐️Best Activity Class or Group for School-age Children
Elliswick Lawn Tennis Club
Harpenden Children's Concert Band
Hurst Children's Theatre Group
SAADI Gymnastics
SW DANCE Academy - Innovate Don't Imitate
The Little Gym Harpenden

⭐️Best Holiday Club or Class
Elliswick Lawn Tennis Club
FizzBug
King's Soccer School
Musicale
SAADI Gymnastics
Showtime Circus
The Little Gym Harpenden

⭐️Best Pre/Post-natal Support Service
Be Kind Hypnobirthing
Body Mechanix Harpenden: Osteopathic, Health & Wellness Clinic
Emma Hunt Personal Training
MamaBabyBliss Harpenden & St Albans
Tricia King Perinatal
Zing Wellness

⭐️Best Party and Celebrations Provider
de la Mare Bakes (DLMbakes)
Feeding Time
Funnybones Music
Green Bean Eco Party Packs
Showtime Circus

⭐️Most Family-friendly Café/Restaurant/Pub
Brew and Cru
PASTA CIBO
Silver Palate
The Elephant And Castle Pub
The George Of Harpenden
The Queens Head

⭐️Best Local Independent Business
Handmade in Harpenden
Herts Pressure Washing
Jelley's Meats
My Refill Life
Parker&vine
Threads of Harpenden

⭐️10th Anniversary Champion of Champions
ARTventurers Harpenden and St Albans
Body Mechanix
Elliswick Lawn Tennis Club
Feeding Time
Funnybones Music
Hurst Children's Theatre Group
King's Soccer School
Menace Sports
The Oval Cafe
Threads

CONGRATULATIONS FINALISTS! If any of this comes as news to you please check your email, including your junk folder, for the notification email and invitation to the Awards Reception. If you didn’t get the email please let us know.

27/05/2022

Thanks so much to everyone who nominated me for the Mum's guide to Harpenden awards - Green Bean has made it through to the finals. How exciting! Voting opens on June 6th - but don’t worry, I’ll be back to give you a reminder then!

26/05/2022

Following on from my last post, there's more great tips for planning an eco-conscious street party over on the blog at Party Kit Network

Our guide to organising a street party and how to make it a little more eco-friendly

25/05/2022

Are you busy planning your Jubilee weekend street party? Here’s a few tips for making sure it’s a little eco-friendlier.

1. Ditch the disposables and either ask everyone to bring their own reusable tableware or hire some.
2. Before you go and buy anything new check to see what items neighbours can contribute or ask if you can borrow from friends.
3. Reusable decorations such as bunting, or pom poms made from tissue or wool look great and can be reused time and again.
4. If you’re all bringing food to share try and avoid covering bowls with clingfilm and instead just place a plate over the top, use foil (don’t forget to collect it for recycling afterwards) or service it straight from a lidded container.
5. Make sure you have a dedicated point for collecting recycling and compost waste and ensure someone is responsible for it at the end.

Have I missed anything? Let me know what eco-friendly ideas you’ve got for your Jubilee street party. Have fun!

08/05/2022

The fabric pass the parcel set has been super popular over the last few weeks, keeping lots of little hands happy and saving so much time and paper in wrapping!

06/05/2022

It’s awards season! Nominations for the Mums Guide to Harpenden Awards are now open and if you’ve ever used Green Bean for one of your parties I’d love it if you could mention me in the party category.

After two years of no parties and therefore no business we’ve been back with a bang this year and it would be great to let others know there are alternatives to single-use party items. And of course you can vote for all your other favourite local businesses at the same time!

The link to make your nomination is here: https://www.mumsguideto.co.uk/harpenden/awards.php Thanks so much!

02/05/2022

PARTY GAMES
The parachute was hired out with party kits twice this weekend and the children had so much fun playing games with it. We were lucky enough to be at one of the parties and it was great to see both the little ones and the older children enjoying themselves.
How was your bank holiday weekend? Are you feeling refreshed and super relaxed or was it packed full of adventure and you need a rest?

24/04/2022

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen stray helium balloons recently - on the side of the road, stuck in trees, or in the river like this one I saw on the weekend. Not only are they terrible from a litter point of view, but they’re so dangerous for wildlife and farm animals!

There are alternatives to balloons as party decorations. Even ‘eco-friendly, biodegradable’ balloons still take years to break down and will only do so under the correct commercial conditions so ditch the single-use plastic or foil options and choose reusable options instead. Fabric bunting, woollen pom poms and paper decorations are all great ways to brighten up a party and can all be reused year after year.