Are you hosting a party or family gathering this Independence Day? How about celebrating Independence Day this year with a little less reliance on Mother Earth? For a greener 4th of July party, one where you don’t have to sheepishly lug around a bunch of trash bags on your next trash day, follow these 4 simple guidelines. Call your green gathering a token of appreciation, a birthday gift to your homeland, your own union salute.
July 4th Green Tip #1: Close to home; close to the heart
Instead of looking for menu and decor items that come from afar this Diwali, try looking a little closer to home. For decor, consider what natural items from your yard or local farmer’s market might create a relaxed, homey look and reflect your sense of place. Leaves, shells, or river rocks make nice placeholders. Simply write your guests’ names on the sheet, shell, or stone with a non-toxic permanent marker. For take-home gifts, collect tree saplings at your local nursery and tie a name tag or thank you card to the stem.
For menu items, see what local items are at the farmer’s market or grocery store. Eating at the bottom of the food chain, choosing organic meats and produce, and favoring local farms are all sustainable choices that will bring an element of patriotism and local charm to your event.
4th of July Green Tip #2: Reuse
Old jam jars turn into cups. Upside down wine glasses become elegant candle holders. Frozen juice in a saucepan becomes a floating ice sculpture in the punch bowl. There are so many creative ways to create a festive atmosphere without buying factory-made decorations. Burlap placemats or table runner? I love it! This DIY blogger will show you how.
4th of July Green Tip #3: Beg, Borrow and Rent
Instead of purchasing new plates, cups, tablecloths, and even tables and chairs, your local party rental will be able to provide all of these supplies at minimal cost. It beats throwing out all those single-use Styrofoam products and storing rarely used items! The rental shops will even have outdoor lanterns, heat lamps, roulette wheels, and cotton candy machines for added fun!
4th of July Green Tip #4: Eliminate the Junk
If renting your products isn’t among your options, consider looking for products that are made to decompose, rather than sit in a landfill. Well-known brands like Cereplast sell cutlery made from a biodegradable bioplastic consisting of 80 percent corn-based starch and 20 percent green fillers. They can go directly into your compost bin. Whole Foods also offers plates, bowls and cups made from renewable and biodegradable sugarcane.
Another way to reduce waste is to simply skip the paper and plastic streamers and latex balloons. Pick up some flowers at the grocery store or local farmer’s market for a festive look. Red roses, gerberas and branches of red berries will mark the occasion.
Make recycling easier for your guests! Pull your recycling bins out of their hidden spaces and encourage your guests (or those helping out in the kitchen) to recycle cans, bottles, and other recyclables.
Happy 4th of July! Let it be green, memorable and dotted with stars!