How to Throw an Eco-Friendly Party

Beautiful summer picnic on the beach at sunset in zero waste style. Organic fresh fruit, cheese and vegetables on linen blanket. Eco friendly idea for weekend staycations.

Beautiful summer picnic on the beach at sunset in zero waste style. Organic fresh fruit, cheese and vegetables on linen blanket. Eco friendly idea for weekend staycations.

A party is great fun. People want to get together and have fun. At the same time, people also want to keep it eco-friendly. These simple tips make it easy to have a terrific time with friends and still lay lightly on the land.

Here are some tips for throwing the perfect eco-friendly party.

Hold it Outdoors

If you’re thinking about that party consider holding it outside. When you hold a party outside, you’re staying in tune with the natural world. A party under the trees or in your own backyard garden offers shade and color. People can experience the natural world firsthand. Many places like parks have easy outdoor seating. People can bring their own folding chairs and join in. They can also be outdoors without the need to use air conditioning or heating.

Avoid Disposable Cutlery

Disposable cutlery has some advantages. It can be brought in large quantities to any party. It’s also relatively cheap. When you’re done, you can just chuck it in the garbage. However tempting, it’s also a big contributor to unwanted global waste. Ask your friends to bring their own instead. Or you can always provide extras from your own personal stores. A single dip in the dishwasher and they’re ready to go again.

Keep Food Local and In Season

Eating locally grown food has many benefits. For one thing, it’s a lot fresher. For another, it’s also grown in the area. That means it doesn’t need to be trucked from a long distance. If you’re planning a menu, have a good look at what is in season right now. Every single element of the menu can make use of locally grown items. Consider what produce you can turn into a great salsa for a dip to start off with. Main courses can be equally creative. You can opt for a vegetarian plan with lots of things like risotto or eggplant parmesan. For dessert, look to items that are naturally grown. A honey cake makes a fine thing for everyone in your party to appreciate at the party’s end.

Use Existing Decor

There’s always a temptation to consider new decor when you’re planning a party. For an eco-friendly look, turn to the items you already have on hand. Have a good look at your linen closet. You might spot material for a tablecloth you haven’t used in years. Now is the time to bring it out. Look through local yard sales and thrift shops. You’ll probably find lots of things that you can use in your home. Taking items like these is a good way to make use of existing materials. You can also save money on your party expenses this way.

Lighting Choices

Lighting is a crucial part of your party. If you’re giving it at night, you want to keep it all green. Think about potentially green lighting possibilities. For example, there are solar powered lights that you can use to offer your guests a path to your door. You can also take old newspapers and make a fire in your fire pit. That’s a great way for people to gather together and interact as the evening goes along. Inside, make use of similar techniques. Light up a fireplace for warmth. Use candles to add ambiance and green lighting at the same time.

Recycle Now

Recycling is an essential foundation for any party you have in mind in the modern world. You’ll want to make it clear to your guests how they can recycle things as they stay at your party. Clearly marked bins for each type of waste are a must. Guests should also be encouraged to bring items from home. For example, they can bring food they’ve made to the party along with their own personal containers. This means that using leftovers is a snap. People can take any remaining food and bring it home safely and easily.