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Isabel founded the Party Kit Network CIC and runs a party kit in Winchester UK. She’s an expert in how to make parties more sustainable, the benefits of the emerging sharing economy and, as a mum of 2, can offer a wide range of eco-friendly parenting tips. 

Isabel is proud to be included on the Women in Social Enterprise Top 100 List for 2022.

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Isabel Mack

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The members of the Party Kit Network are celebrating a new milestone: 1 million single-use items avoided by the use of their party kits.&nbsp; <img src="https://cdn.newspage.media/production/company/1284/files/cf46ecd286860be25a40bc7ac741cfe654349e834615158d1c5b563affa7dd6aab05c48bccaecd81dab0a0605efb92e2d0013d9e25330d6a7073c9c2f1d024ee.webp"> A global community of zero-waste heroes is making a significant impact on waste at parties by sharing boxes of reusable tableware within their local communities. For the past 5 years, this pioneering network has united people from around the world who host party kits, making it easier for more people to access reusable tableware and reduce unnecessary waste. The concept is simple: party kits are borrowed for the event and returned to be used again, similar to borrowing books from a library. This approach reduces the demand for single-use items, avoids waste and contributes to the local economy. With over 560 members across the UK, Australia, and more, the network showcases the power of community action. Together, network members have now prevented over 1 million single-use items from reaching landfills. Borrowing a party kit is often more cost-effective than purchasing disposable items. And it is just as convenient, with everything provided in one handy box and many members offering a washing up service. Using a kit for a party with 30 guests saves an average of 100 single-use items from ending up in landfills. Jenny, who borrowed a party kit in Winchester UK, said, “First time using the party kit and would 100% do it again! Very easy to arrange, no washing up and better for the planet - win, win!” Juliet Jones, founder of US-based Sustainable Party Kits, said, “As a member of the Party Kit Network, it is great to know I am part of a larger movement to normalise reuse and sharing. The support and advice has been invaluable.”&nbsp; To learn more about the Party Kit Network, visit partykitnetwork.org &nbsp;<blockquote>When we started in 2019, I never envisioned how well the party kit concept would resonate with people and that members would join us from around the world. Reaching the milestone of 1 million single-use items avoided is very special. It’s a great example where small change really adds up to a big impact. The party kit concept offers a really simple solution to unnecessary waste, helping to make parties a joyful experience for both people and the planet.</blockquote>

Global community of zero-waste heroes celebrates  avoiding 1 million single-use items at parties 

<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn.newspage.media/production/company/1284/files/4846e3b5e857044c6d06a6a5fab52c226b75a8d9eeee699614d45a393eb1be1c567cb96545c85f5d3fc706471cc18a5a24464ef47afcd6b8f76c06a2e403809f.webp"></figure>This June, the UK-based social enterprise, Party Kit Network, celebrates its 5th birthday. A global community of zero-waste heroes is making a significant impact on waste at parties by sharing boxes of reusable tableware within their local communities. For the past 5 years, this pioneering network has united people from around the world who host party kits, making it easier for more people to access reusable tableware and reduce unnecessary waste. The concept is simple: party kits are borrowed for the event and returned to be used again, similar to borrowing books from the library. This approach reduces the demand for single-use items, avoids waste and contributes to the local economy. Switching to reusables and borrowing a party kit for a party with 30 guests saves an average of 100 single-use items from ending up in landfills. Hiring a party kit is often more cost-effective than purchasing disposable items, and it is more convenient, with everything provided in one handy box. Emma, who borrowed a party kit from Eco Party Kit Swallowfield, said, “Just such a great idea - saves all the rubbish at the end of the party and takes a lot of stress out of the planning.” With over 500 members across the UK, Australia, and more, the network showcases the power of community action. Together, network members have prevented over 700,000 single-use items from reaching landfills so far. Juliet Jones, founder of US-based Sustainable Party Kits, said, “As a member of the Party Kit Network, it is great to know I am part of a larger movement to normalise reuse and sharing. The support and advice has been invaluable.” Reflecting on the past 5 years, Party Kit Network founder Isabel Mack said, "When we started in 2019, I never envisioned how well the party kit concept would resonate with people and that members would join us from around the world. The party kit concept offers a really simple solution to unnecessary waste, helping to make parties a joyful experience for both people and planet." To learn more about the Party Kit Network, visit partykitnetwork.org<blockquote>When we launched the Party Kit Network, I never envisioned how the party kit concept would resonate with so many and that members would join us from around the world. It has been been inspiring to see so many people take action for their communities. Parties should be joyful and fun-filled; making happy memories, not waste.</blockquote>

Global community of zero-waste heroes celebrates  5 years cutting waste at parties

There’s a new ban coming into force in England from Sunday, yet hardly anyone is talking about it.&nbsp; It will become an offence to give customers single-use plastic plates, bowls and cutlery (but not cups) in most circumstances.&nbsp; This is part of the government’s efforts to reduce plastic pollution. We’ve already seen the positive impact similar bans have achieved (the ban on plastic-stemmed cotton buds saw a significant reduction in the number being picked up on beaches just 1 year later).&nbsp; There’s still a long way to go to eradicate unnecessary single-use plastics, but there’s been little coverage of this new ban since the initial announcement.&nbsp; Have we become too distracted to care about the fate of our oceans? Are the scary realities of the climate crisis actually leading to inaction? Or are we just too overwhelmed by the cost of living crisis?<blockquote>The new ban on single-use plastic tableware is another step on our journey to eradicate unnecessary single-use plastic waste and to look at how we can better care for our planet’s resources and habitats in a more sustainable way.</blockquote>

Why have we lost interest in single-use plastic bans?

Party Kit Network CIC, a female-led social enterprise, has launched a new initiative to help more school communities access eco-friendly reusable tableware.&nbsp; Borrowed for a party and then returned to be used again, the party kit concept is a practical and affordable alternative to disposable tableware. A reusable party kit for 30 kids helps to avoid 180 single-use tableware items with every party.&nbsp; Party kits offer a convenient alternative to single-use plastics, many of which will be banned in England from 1st October 2023.&nbsp; There are over 400 party kits across the UK already providing access to reusable tableware, avoiding over 686,000 items already. The Party Kit Network is helping more communities make this easy eco-friendly switch.&nbsp; Party Kits for Schools will help more schools to set up party kits, helping to reduce waste and be a green fundraiser for school PTAs.&nbsp;<img src="https://cdn.newspage.media/production/company/1284/files/3c0d105c66b7c51ca08afd8c10b21830b7559f5ceef96f63f811f1df90986745a0cbd534f9376a43aa7d2167f2a034565e8c9284fcda805ccdc15524d82b009b.webp"> Nominations are open to UK-based preschools and primary schools until 27th Oct 2023.&nbsp;There is an additional prize for the schooll which wins the Zero Waste Maman award. Created in memory of Claire Sumners, Surfers Against Sewage rep and founder of Plastic Free Seaford, this award includes a virtual visit from children's author Ellie Jackson and a complete set of Wild Tribe Heroes books for the school library.&nbsp; Key links:&nbsp; Party Kits for Schools https://www.partykitnetwork.org/awards Find a local party kit&nbsp; https://www.partykitnetwork.org/find&nbsp; Images are available here:&nbsp; Party Kits for Schools:&nbsp; https://www.partykitnetwork.org/awards-media Party Kit Network:&nbsp; https://www.partykitnetwork.org/media<blockquote>Party kits offer a really simple way for communities to celebrate with less waste. Party Kits for Schools is helping more schools access reusable tableware making parties more eco-friendly. Using a party kit offers kids the opportunity to see the real impact of making a more sustainable choice. Each time a party kit for 30 is used, that's 180 single-use items not going to landfill because hosts chose to reuse.</blockquote>

Helping School Communities Reduce Waste From Single-Use Plastic Tableware

A Winchester-based social entrepreneur is leading the way in avoiding unnecessary waste from single-use plastics at parties. Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey has announced that the government will ban single-use plastic plates and cutlery in England from this October. Following similar bans on plastic bags and straws, this ban aims to tackle the waste from an estimated 2.7 billion items of single-use cutlery — most of which are plastic — and 721 million single-use plates used in England per year.&nbsp;(1)Party kits are locally run boxes of reusable tableware and decorations. Party kits are lent within the community for events and returned to be used again, each time helping to avoid waste from single-use items. They offer a practical and eco-friendly alternative to single-use items commonly thrown away at parties.&nbsp;Each party kit is run independently by people from their homes, toy libraries, zero waste stores, small party businesses and as fundraisers for local school PTAs and community projects.The Party Kit Network brings together everyone operating a kit for their local community to share knowledge, offer support and promote the party kit concept.The network was founded in 2019 by Isabel Mack who runs a party kit in Winchester. In 2022 her party kit helped avoid 9,330 single-use items. There are over 400 party kits across the UK run by people who share Isabel's passion for reducing waste and supporting their local communities to reduce their carbon footprint. Together they have avoided over 400k single-use tableware items so far.&nbsp; Isabel is a 41-year-old mum of 2 and was included on the Women in Social Enterprise Top 100 List for 2022.(1) Source: DEFRA https://www.gov.uk/government/news/far-reaching-ban-on-single-use-plastics-in-england<blockquote>The new single-use plastics ban is great news. It's an important step in moving away from our disposable culture. Switching to reusables is becoming easier, and party kits offer a simple and affordable way to make an eco-friendly choice.</blockquote>

Community taking action to reduce single-use plastics ahead of the ban

Isabel founded the Party Kit Network CIC and runs a party kit in Winchester UK. She’s an expert in how to make parties more sustainable, the benefits of the emerging sharing economy and, as a mum of 2, can offer a wide range of eco-friendly parenting tips. Isabel is proud to be included on the Women in Social Enterprise Top 100 List for 2022.

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