Tips For An Environmentally Friendly 4th Of July Party

With the 4th of July around the corner, you can be sure that the weekend will be filled with barbecues, parties, and of course, fireworks. If you are looking to join in the festivities of the holiday, why not throw an environmentally friendly 4th of July party? Here are some tips to help you plan your event.

Grilling

It is difficult to imagine a 4th of July party without firing up the grill! To add a little green to your Red, White and Blue, use an eco-friendly way of cooking. Of the fuels commonly available, natural gas and propane are the safest for the environment and for your lungs and tends to burn the cleanest. If you want to use Charcoal, the long-time king of backyard grilling, be sure to compost the ashes when you are finished with them.

Reusable Party Plates

It may be tempting to stock up on the red, white and blue plastic plates on sale at your local grocery store, but you may have to forego the color and look for biodegradable plates or ones made out of recycled material. For an even more sustainable option, which comes in lots of colors, use reusable plates. Reusable plates may cost a little more upfront, but when you think about the fact that you can use them for every party for years to come, they are a much better investment than cheap disposable plates.

Fireworks

Fireworks are probably the first thing that comes to most people's minds when they think of the 4th of July; however, they are not very environmentally friendly, or may not be safe for home use. There are "green" fireworks being developed, but these carry a hefty price tag and are not commonly available in stores. Chinese lanterns, which can be ordered online, are becoming popular as one eco-friendly alternative to fireworks. However, if your Independence Day will not be complete without a fireworks display, you don't have to miss out on the festivities. By going to your local public fireworks display instead of shooting off fireworks in your own backyard, you can enjoy the thrill and sparks of the show without contributing any extra contaminants to the environment.

The 4th of July is a time to celebrate - just because you are environmentally conscious doesn't mean that you cannot have fun! Enjoy an Independence Day that is not only red, white and blue, but also green with these party tips.

By: Kathy Perkins

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Kathy Perkins is the owner of Shred-Green, an Atlanta shred company offering secure document destruction and storage. Shred-Green is committed to environmental responsibility, recycling all shreds and using state-of-the art, energy-efficient Atlanta paper shredding equipment.