I admit it: a big part of Ramadan is eating. Even more than eating, Ramadan is about eating in community. We fill up a plate, then grab a drink and a few utensils. Sometimes we remember a napkin. We sit down next to someone we may see every jummah prayer, but haven’t gotten to know yet. We build personal bridges over many shared meals. After 30 or so days of bumping elbows at iftar tables all over the world, we say goodbye to Ramadan, ending it as a more connected community of believers.

We also leave behind TONS of styrofoam, paper and plastic plates, forks, spoons, knives, cups, napkins & paper towels to pile up in our local trash dumps. I can’t ignore the bags of trash that collect after every beautiful iftar. This has to change. And I know I’m not the only one who believes we Muslims can do better.

After researching reusable dinnerware that would add to the festivity of the occasion while being sustainable, stylish and affordable, I curbed my own family’s impact during Ramadan with what I like to call a Zero-Trash Iftar Kit. And now after testing it out myself, I’d like to share it with my sisters and brothers searching for a way to green their own Ramadans.

Here’s what I came up with:

Every item in your Zero-Trash Iftar Kit will be either a) reusable, b) responsibly-made, c) sustainable or d) all of the above, and will include:

a stainless steel divided food tray a bamboo fork, knife and spoon a BPA-free tumbler with straw a cloth napkin a reusable bag to carry it all (not shown)

It is my goal to help 1000 Muslims green their Ramadan this year, inshaAllah. God Willing, these Zero-Trash Iftar Kits will make a positive impact on your Ramadan iftars and help continue the community conversations on realigning our faith — Islam — with its sustainable roots.

Buy a Zero-Trash Iftar Kit before Ramadan begins in early July.