There are a number of ways to make your party a greener, low impact affair. First, keep in mind the environmental impact of every aspect of your party. Pre-plan ways to reduce the amount of paper, plastic, fuel, energy and water used for the party. Send an e-mail, or if needed, a flyer to your guests to ask them to help keep the party “green”. It may help to have a “green leader” to help oversee the choices for the party. Sometimes a student might be the best choice for this leader, they are often very knowledgeable about and committed to environmentally sustainable practices.
Some practical suggestions to consider: Purchase food, decorations and other materials that can be consumed, reused, or recycled. Avoid Styrofoam & unrecyclable plastic whenever possible. Try to limit or avoid single – use plastic items such as disposable tablecloths, utensils, cups and plates. Suggest that people use real tablecloths, regular dishes, and/or reusable picnic ware. If people bring sturdy plastic cutlery, it can be washed in the dishwasher and reused. Consider packaging and the transportation impact before buying or ordering food items.
Shop locally, eat locally grown food. Vegetarian options are very eco-friendly. If water bottles must be used, recycle them after use. Reusable water bottles are a better choice. Or provide pitchers of water, lemonade, etc. with reusable glasses. Recycle all recyclable waste. Pair every waste can with a recycling bin with clear signage indicating what goes where. Have a couple of buckets for pouring out the remaining liquid from cans and bottles before recycling them. sure that all trash and recyclables are picked up and disposed of appropriately after the event. Set up one waste station with clear signage for landfill, recycling, and food scrap composting using a Village yard waste toter. Click here for details about Wilmette’s curbside composting program. Enlist “green” volunteers for the clean up team, so that recyclables are not put into the garbage.
For block parties, if your block traditionally provides generator-powered activities such as a moonwalk, consider these no-energy alternatives: relay races, bike parade, balloon toss, hula hoop contests, talent show, piñata, street bowling, badminton, seed spitting, etc. If your community “greens” their block party, you will help make your block, your community, and our planet a greener place to live! Check out Green Your Block Party. Step up to be the “Green Ambassador” for your block party, get the kids involved, and help make your party a low-waste event!
For more help with greening your event, contact Go Green Wilmette at info@gogreenwilmette.org
