By Rebecca Harnik
If you need a theme for your next party, try an eco-conscious theme.
As much as we may try to avoid garbage, parties and gatherings can produce a substantial amount of waste. We bring out the disposable silverware, we wear costumes that we’ll never use again, and we buy decorations that will be thrown out later on the same night. So what can be done about this? Green gatherings!
Avoid Trash: Tell people to bring their own plate, cup, and utensils. Not only will you avoid all of that extra trash, but people can be excited about showing off their coolest plates and cups. You can have a fun kitchen hangout as everyone washes their own dishes afterward.
If waste can’t be avoided, buy compostable or biodegradable products for your party.
My college campus has recently started doing zero-waste picnics every semester. Instead of serving thousands of dinners on disposable plastic, they use compostable plates, cups and utensils, which save a great deal of waste.
Gift ideas: if you don’t actually want or need gifts, suggest that people bring a plant or flower from their yard (if possible) to share. Another fun idea is always a used gift swap, so that people don’t go out and buy gifts, but still get to go home with something fun. You could even ask that people bring a few bucks to donate to an environmental cause.
Decorations: Instead of going out and blowing up armfuls of balloons, sustainable or reusable decorations can save rubber and a lot of effort: organic or local flowers are always a hit.
Costumes: If possible, avoid parties where people have to go out and buy new outfits. Last year, my former high school had a Green Prom: people shared outfits that they had already worn to other events, which saved a bunch of cash and avoided the need to purchase new clothes.
Food: Shop organically and locally, and avoid hamburgers if possible. See my blogs on eating locally and vegetarianism if you’re interested.
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