1. Get outside! The best way to reduce your party’s footprint is avoid added costs to your electric bill by utilizing the outdoors – perfect lighting, temperature and truly inherent green setting. Host your barbecue at midday when the light is bright or fight soaring temperatures and take advantage of the cooler evening weather.
2. Ditch the disposable party ware. They’re popular and easy, but they’re not so convenient for the environment.
3. Use propane for grilling. According to the Environment Impact Assessment Review “the overwhelming factors are that as a fuel, LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) is dramatically more efficient than charcoal in its production and considerably more efficient in cooking.”
4. Save (and reuse) your decorations. The decorations are the same from year to year, so take the time to store and save your decorations. You or someone you know can use them again next year, which helps to save on a bit of unneeded trash and some cash later.
5. Opt for greener fireworks. Fireworks are hardly an environmentally friendly activity, but they’re an unwavering Fourth of July tradition. If you’re setting off your own fireworks this year, be sure to use fireworks rich in nitrogen. They often cost a bit more but put out less smoke into the environment. Another option is to gather your group and go see your local fireworks display. It’s a great way to see a much bigger fireworks show and negates you from harming the environment with your own personal display.
6. Gather in groups. This may seem like a no-brainer for such a popular holiday, but the larger a group you gather (preferably outdoors), the less energy you use at individual parties that may take place indoors.
7. Use large water containers. Plastic water bottles are convenient, but like other disposable goods, they can add up fast. In lieu of individual plastic bottles, store water for your family or guests in large containers so they can re-fill their reusable water bottles or reusable cups. If you must use plastic water bottles, at least recycle them.
8. Don’t forget to recycle. One of the easiest ways to go green is to recycle your waste. So be sure to put a clearly marked bin out at your party.
Tips from: http://earth911.com/news/2011/07/01/4th-of-july-party/2/
Have a safe and Happy 4th of July!
Photo updated 10-11-13: Image credit: andreykuzmin / 123RF Stock Photo
