How to Have a Green Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States that commemorates all of the women and men from the United States who have lost their lives while serving in the military. Memorial Day is often celebrated with parties and gatherings, which are a great way to stay green. Here is how to have a green Memorial Day this year and every year!

1. If you are planning on sending out invitations for your Memorial Day party, consider inviting your guests over the phone or through e-mail, which are greener alternatives to sending invitations in the mail. If you choose to e-mail some or all of your guests their invitations, there are many free patriotic and Memorial Day themed e-cards you can easily e-mail to your guests. If you're set on mailing out invitations, though, you can opt to use recycled paper or cards, which are much more eco-friendly.

2. Another way how to have a green Memorial Day is to decorate using decorations you already own, such as flags, and patriotic quilts. Using items you already own to decorate for Memorial Day is much greener than buying new decorations.

3. When planning how to have a green Memorial Day, consider using fresh, organic flowers for the centerpiece of your table. You can also use fresh, locally grown, organic flowers on graves when you go to the cemetery, and if it is allowed, plant the flowers, instead of leaving behind a non-biodegradable planter. Fresh, organic flowers are lovely and much more green than fake floral arrangements!

4. If you really want to use balloons as decorations, feel free - just make sure they are latex. Latex, which comes from the rubber tree, is biodegradable. So, latex balloons are another great green decoration for Memorial Day!

5. A great way to have a green Memorial Day is to serve organic and locally grown foods. This is much better for the environment since the foods haven't been contaminated with toxic chemicals and haven't traveled thousands of miles to get to your picnic table!

6. One last suggestion for how to have a green Memorial Day is to use reusable utensils and dinnerware. It is much better to reuse utensils and dinnerware than to throw away dozens of paper plates and plastic utensils. If you find that you don't have enough reusable dinnerware and utensils, however, make sure to use recyclable products or products that are either entirely recyclable or compostable.

Use these great tips on how to have a green Memorial Day, and enjoy the holiday!

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