Red, white and green: how to have an eco-friendly Fourth of July
July 2, 2009 at 4:54 pm by Michelle Schenck
A lot of people get excited for the Fourth of July celebrations. Hot dogs, fireworks, a possible day off, friends and family are all fun associations that come with the celebration of America’s independence. Here are some tips to stay green while letting loose and having a great holiday weekend.
Bring your own flatware or use the reuseable kind:
If you are planning on attending a Fourth of July party, bring your own cup, plate and silverware with you. This way you save on excess waste while also being able to spark up a conversation piece when people ask you where you got your plate from. You may get some other people into the habit of doing the same. If you are the one hosting the party, save some money and the environment by laying out all reusable silverware, cups, tableclothes, etc.
Organic BBQ time!
Having a BBQ for the Fourth is as American as apple pie, so mix it up this holiday and serve some organic goodies on the grill. Try organic chicken kebabs or organic hamburger meat or hotdogs. Also, try to throw in a few veggie hot dogs and burgers to let guests have a variety and also introduce ‘meat lovers’ to the world of faux-meat products. A lot of people will be surprised of how good they are and you may convert a few people to this lower calorie, lower fat alternative!
Go to the show:
Inevitably, with this holiday comes fireworks galore!! Skip buying your own fireworks and just see the local show in your home’s downtown. Unfortunately, fireworks have been in debate about their effects on the environment but, most likely, this isn’t going to stop most cities from doing them. So try to stay a little green by not buying any and just enjoy the big ones on display.
Green Drinks:
You are already bringing your own cup and utensils so make sure you might want to think about supplying some organic beverages at the party. Some of my favorite organic beers include Peak Organic and Samuel Smith’s organic cider. Also, if you are buying non-alcoholic beverages, try stopping by a market to get locally gorwn, fresh squeezed O.J. and other drinks to support the local community.
Have a Separate Recycling Area:
If you are hosting the party or having a few people over, make sure to set aside for recycling of said drinks above and any other newspapers, plastic, etc., that may end up at your house. Label the recycling in bright colors so people don’t miss it and just plop it in the regular trash. Encourage guests to recycle and show that it is an easy way to help the environment.
Whatever your plans may be for this festive holiday, be safe, have fun and think green!
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