How to Have a Green 4th of July Party

These tips for an eco-conscious 4^th of July Party prove that life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the pursuit of a thriving global environment, can go hand in hand. Having a green 4^th of July party is a great way to make your lifestyle more environmentally friendly so that all Americans, and all peoples across the world, can thrive on a healthy planet. Read on to discover ten simple ways to "green" your celebration of the red, white, and blue.

1. Bring-A-Cup

In the medieval era, everyone brought their own spoons to banquets, because the host rarely had enough spoons for all the guests; you can make this idea work for you in the modern age to help you have a green 4^th of July by cutting down on waste. Instead of buying dozens of disposable plastic or paper cups that will end up piled high in a landfill, take a cue from the medieval era with this nifty idea. Ask guests to each bring a favorite cup from their own home, and have them use that cup for the duration of the party. That way, you won't end up with a ton of garbage, and guests will always be able to tell whose drink on the table is whose.

2. Eat Local

Serving locally grown and prepared foods is a great way to have a green 4^th of July while supporting your community. Seeking out farmers and other food producers in your town, or in your region, rather than serving foods imported from far away, cuts down on the carbon emissions that would be created by the trucks, trains, boats, etc. that transport food. The less transportation the food undergoes between farmer and table, the less carbon emissions there are, so eating local is a great way to green your 4^th of July.

3. Living Flowers

Instead of buying cut flowers to dress up your table, why not have a living centerpiece? That way, when your green 4^th of July party is over, you can keep the plant around to reduce carbon in the atmosphere. Plants naturally turn carbon into oxygen, which is great news for people and all other breathing creatures!

4. Recycled Paper Goods

Having a green 4^th of July can be as simple as just checking a few labels on the party supplies that you're buying. When shopping for paper goods like invitations, tablecloths, napkins, etc., look for items that contain a percentage of recycled "post-consumer waste." If you can't find any recycled products and need to buy one that isn't recycled, you can still do your part to try and ensure a greener future: take a few minutes to write a letter to whoever made the non-recycled paper product demanding that they produce and distribute a more environmentally responsible product. Even when you can't vote for green products with your dollars, make sure that companies know you'd be happier to spend money if they gave you green options.

5. Organize Volunteerism

One way to have a green 4^th of July is to make your party a celebration after a communal "good deed." As a warm up to the festivities, consider asking your friends to join you for an eco-conscious activity like picking up trash in a local nature preserve, or planting a tree. This will get everyone thinking green, and is a great way to show how volunteerism can be fun.

6. Eat From the Farm, Not the Factory

To reduce the environmental impact of your green 4^th of July party, consider eating foods that spend more time on the farm than in a factory. Vegetables and other unprocessed items create a lot less pollution and waste than processed foods like bagged chips or pre-made spreads, so why not make a point of serving items that are as close to their natural state as possible? There are plenty of tasty treats you can make without relying on processed foods, so try ditching the chemicals for the day and enjoying a green 4^th of July featuring more natural dishes.

7. Break Down Big Packages

Instead of buying individually wrapped or packaged items like plastic silverware sets, or individual cans of soda, try to buy supplies for your green 4^th of July party in large bulk packages, then break them down yourself. Put together sets of silverware yourself, or pour individual servings from large bottles of soda: you'll save money, and you'll help save the planet by reducing packaging waste.

8. Pick A Comfortable Time Of Day

Having a green 4^th of July party means that it's your duty to make sure that your guests are comfortable, but air conditioning a crowded house in the summer can use a lot of energy. To conserve electricity, consider having your 4^th of July party at a naturally comfortable time of day, like dusk or evening when things have cooled down, rather than in the height of the noon sun.

9. Set Up A "Non-Garbage" Station

For your green 4^th of July party, instead of offering your guests a trash can, set up a disposal area that has several small containers for different kinds of "trash." In addition to a garbage can for things that can't be re-used or recycled, include containers labeled for recycle-able paper goods, one for bottles and cans, and one for foodstuffs that can be composted.

10. Encourage Carpooling

Carpooling is easy on the earth, and easy on your friends' wallets: sharing rides reduces carbon emissions, and helps your guests conserve gasoline. When you invite guests to your green 4^th of July party, encourage them to buddy up on transportation. Let guests know who else is coming from their area, and offer to put them in contact with someone who might be able to give them a ride, or might appreciate getting a ride from them. Facilitating ride-shares helps you have a green 4^th of July, and encourages your guests to get to know each other, so everybody wins!