How to throw an eco-friendly party

As pandemic restrictions are eased, I look forward to celebrating again with my friends and family. Traditionally, however, parties are occasions for waste, producing a big pile of trash to dispose of. But there are cleaner and environmentally safer ways to celebrate. Here are a few tips on how to throw an eco-friendly party.

 

 

No Disposable Party Supplies

I never look forward to facing a big clean-up after a party, so I understand that the temptation to pick up disposable decorations and tableware is great indeed. Resist that temptation. For at-home parties, I stick with regular ceramic plates and drinking glasses I can wash and reuse long after the event is over. If carrying a full set of heavy tableware to a picnic site or elsewhere is impossible, however, there’s a selection of dishes, plates, and flatware available made from bamboo, avocado pits, and other biodegradable materials. I always check to be sure they don’t contain plastic—some do. Generally, look for ways to serve food at parties with edible containers, bread, and the like, while serving drinks in reusable cups and glasses. As for decorations, I stick with plants and tea lights and use reusable banners and signs with general celebratory messages.

 

 

Avoid Printed Paper Invitations

The easiest and most tree-friendly way to invite folks to a party is electronically through any number of online invitation sites. Of course, using the internet generates greenhouse gases through the burning of fuels to some degree, but you can weigh that against cutting down of trees for invitations that will eventually be thrown away. I suggest making your own invitations from scrap paper but add an eco-friendly touch by making homemade seed paper. Tutorials are available across the internet. Seed paper contains flower and similar seeds, and party invitees can bury the invitation in their backyard to produce beautiful and bee-friendly blooms.

 

 

Skip the Wrapping Paper

Unwrapping presents can be fun, but that short-lived joy produces unnecessary waste. While some wrapping paper is recyclable, most isn’t, and ribbons, bows, and other decorative elements are even bigger eco-offenders. Fortunately, there are plenty of adorable and even beautiful ways to present presents without waste. As you all know, I love using old book pages for, well, everything. So I've made gift bags out of them. I alos use recyclable newspaper—especially the advertising and comic sections—to wrap presents. Think about bundling up gifts in blankets, tea towels, and other cloth-based materials, and reuse old tins and other packaging (encourage the gift receiver to do likewise). Let your imagination roam free!

 

Ask Your Guests To Help

When deciding how to throw an eco-friendly party, get your guests involved in a zero-waste event. I let them know that I’ll provide the drinks, but it’d be ideal if they brought their own reusable drinking container. I clearly label recycling containers and make them noticeable at the party. If guests are bringing gifts, ask them to make them sustainable ones and to get creative with wrapping, as I’ve noted above. Finally, I try to make sure there’s enough food—but not too much—and encourage guests to take leftovers home!