Eight Ways to Have a Green Fourth of July

The Fourth of July holiday, or Independence Day, is the most popular summer holiday in the United States, and thus, heavily celebrated. Although the Fourth of July is celebrated with America's colors - red, white, and blue - it's definitely possible to have a green Fourth of July. So, make your Fourth of July celebration more eco-friendly by following these 8 tips:

1. Reuse your decorations. Saving and reusing your decorations each year is a great way to have a green Fourth of July. By reusing your decorations, you save money and you cause less harm to the environment.

2. Use eco-friendly table products. If you can, use reusable plates, bowls, and utensils, but if not there is another greener option. Use compostable paper products and utensils as opposed to non-biodegradable products. These are much safer for the environment than your typical plastic ware.

3. Green your menu. To have a truly green Fourth of July holiday celebration, you must put effort into making your menu greener as well, and thankfully, this isn't a costly process. To make your menu greener, use local, organic fruits and veggies in your dishes, and to make your menu even more greener, make sure it is completely vegetarian or vegan!

4. Recycle. Make sure to have a recycling bin or bins available for your guests for any products that aren't compostable or biodegradable. Recycling is important every day, even on holidays!

5. Go outdoors. Enjoy the lovely summer weather by taking your Fourth of July gathering outdoors. This is a great way to have a green Fourth of July since you will be using much less energy by enjoying the natural lighting outside.

6. Decorate with flowers. Use potted flowers as natural decorations. They're both beautiful and eco-friendly. If you can, plant your own potted flowers using organic potting soil and seeds, and enjoy the beautiful floral colors all throughout the summer.

7. Make your own beverages. Instead of using store bought beverages that often have many additives, preservatives, and other unnatural ingredients, make your own beverages like fresh brewed iced tea and homemade lemonade to have a green Fourth of July.

8. Don't set off fireworks. Fireworks, although a very exciting spectacle, are typically pretty awful for the environment. So, choose to not set off fireworks at your gathering to have a green Fourth of July party. Instead, go to a fireworks show that is already going on elsewhere.

Use all of these 8 ways to have a green Fourth of July, and be happy you did your part for the environment while enjoying the holiday festivities.

You can read more of my green tips here!