Hosting an amazing Labor Day party doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your commitment to reducing your carbon footprint. With the following tips, you’ll be throwing the best green shindig around—completely guilt-free.
Send Online Invites
The first step to throwing a great party is getting the word out. With online invitations, you can ensure that there is absolutely no paper waste. Sites like Paperless Post, Evite, and Minted let you design and manage your own invites and guest list—and many options are 100% free.
Go for Reusable Over Disposable
It may be more convenient to pick up bulk plastic utensils and paper serveware, but it’s definitely not ideal for the environment. Instead, use cups, plates, and cutlery you already own or pick up cheap reusable items at Ikea or the Dollar Store. If you absolutely MUST go disposable, at the very least, choose bamboo or plant-based compostable plates. Avoid Styrofoam at all costs!
Utilize Sustainable Décor
Trade decorations like pinatas and paper garlands for more natural accents like mason jars filled with flowers or greenery from your yard, tea lights placed on tables to create a warm ambiance, or succulents as centerpieces (try Trader Joe’s for budget-friendly options).
Serve Appetizers Made with Organic Produce, Meats & Cheeses
Organic and non-GMO farming methods are much better for the soil and the environment—not to mention your body! Stop by your local farmers market or health food store for the best organic options in the produce, dairy, and meat aisles to stock up on supplies for eco-friendly apps.
Set Up a Clear Trash Division Station
One of the easiest ways to go green at your Labor Day party is by setting up trash stations. Provide one bin for plastics, one bin for glass, one bin for non-recyclable waste products, and one bin for compost/food scraps.
Have a Plan for Your Leftovers
Cut back on food waste by having a plan for your leftovers. Freeze any food that can be safely stored and eaten later, ask friends to bring reusable storage containers, or lend out your own. Sending guests home with a figurative doggy bag will reduce the amount of food that gets thrown away.
