Party Scene: Clean & Green

Party Hard. Tread Lightly.
I was cleaning up after a recent party and realized that there was a lot of unnecessary waste left over. How can I throw a more environmentally conscious party?

Throwing a sustainable party is easy as long as you plan ahead. Start by sending out invitations via e-mail to save on paper.

For a more formal event requiring paper invitations, print on recycled paper.

Organize carpools or rideshares for your guests or encourage them to use public transportation or bicycles—make it easy by mapping out bike and transit routes to your party. Instead of using balloons, streamers or other plastic party decorations, use natural objects like seashells, stones, or greenery.

Minimize energy use with energy-efficient light bulbs or for a more intimate, candlelit atmosphere scatter nontoxic beeswax tealights around the room. If giving gifts,choose ones without packaging like movie tickets or gift certificates. Use reusable dishes, flatware, and other utensils as well as cloth napkins.

If you plan to serve beer, get a keg, which will be reused and will cut down on waste from bottled or canned beer. Kegs are usually available in a couple of sizes, and you can ask your guests to pitch in for the cost of a keg rather than bringing their own beer. Each guest should bring their own cup for easy recognition so they won’t use a new one each time they fill up. Buy just enough food for the number of guests you will have. Try to buyonly locally grown, organic foods and consider serving food that doesn’t need plates.

If you have leftovers, store them in reusable containers or donate them to a soup kitchen. Set up labeled recycling containers in a visible and accessible place. Most importantly, let your guests know about your plans so that they help. Chances are your guests will have other creative ideas for how to keep the event sustainable.