“Fat Thursday” without plastic. Is it doable?

“TŁUSTY CZWARTEK” in Poland is known as “Fat Thursday” in English. It is a traditional feast day that takes place on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.

On Fat Thursday, people in Poland traditionally consume large quantities of sweet and fatty foods, such as doughnuts called “pączki”, faworki (angel wings), and other deep-fried pastries. It is a day to indulge and enjoy oneself before the fasting and abstinence of Lent begin.

In Poland, Fat Thursday is a widely celebrated holiday, and many bakeries and cafes sell special varieties of pączki and other pastries. It is a day of merriment and feasting, and a chance to indulge in some delicious treats with family and friends.

How to keep this beautiful tradition & just make it more eco-friendly? Is it possible?

For bakeries, it is important to significantly reduce their use of plastic. There are many alternatives to plastic packaging that can be used in bakeries, such as paper, cardboard, and biodegradable materials like compostable materials or plant-based packaging. They can also choose to sell their products unwrapped or in paper bags, or on paper plates rather than plastic packaging.

For us consumers, we can reduce plastic by adopting a few simple habits and making conscious choices, e.g. regarding using paper plates instead of plastic ones. Paper plates are biodegradable, which means they can break down and decompose naturally over time. Plastic plates, on the other hand, can take hundreds of years to decompose and can release harmful chemicals into the environment as they break down. Paper is made from trees, which are a renewable resource that can be replanted and grown. In contrast, plastic is made from petroleum, a non-renewable resource that is finite. Moreover, the production of paper plates requires less energy than the production of plastic plates. Paper plates are often made from recycled paper, which reduces the need for virgin materials and saves energy. Paper plates are generally considered to be safer for serving food, as they do not contain chemicals that can leach into food. Plastic plates, on the other hand, can release harmful chemicals when exposed to high heat, acidic foods, or prolonged use.

Poland has a rich cultural heritage, with traditions and customs that have been passed down from generation to generation. These traditions are an important part of Polish identity. Therefore, we want to keep them and just adjust the standards by becoming more eco-friendly.

It was a great pleasure eating doughnuts with our Ecocleo-team also this year. Even more without plastic disposables 😉. This year doughnuts come in many varieties and were enjoyed with a cup of coffee. Even though doughnuts are not healthy food and should be consumed in moderation, for one single day in a year we accept to put our diet “on hold”.

SMACZNEGO, bon Appétit…