Fourth of July Environmental Fact: “Nationwide, the estimated 60 million barbecues held on the Fourth of July alone consume enough energy — in the form of charcoal, lighter fluid, gas, and electricity — to power 20,000 households for a year. That one day of fun, food, and celebration, says Tristram West, a research scientist with the U.S. Department of Energy, burns the equivalent of 2,300 acres of forest and releases 225,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide.”
Step 1. Go Green with the Grill
The worst option for barbecuing is Charcoal briquette-fired grills. They are the number one polluters! Think and choose from one of the following options:
Solar grills: Solar technology provides the best eco friendly grill and is attractive enough to keep in plain site. These solar grills can barbecue (BBQ) anything from veggies to beef, fish, etc. without the use of electricity, gas, coals, connecting or fire lighting.
Gas grills: They use petroleum or natural gas. They have quick start times, year round usability temperature consistency-plus, they are not messy.
Electric Grills: Are a great solution for places where you can’t use gas grills on balconies or patios. Directly, they don’t give off any carbon dioxide which makes them in an eco friendly option.
Step 2. Go Green with your 4th of July Menu
A green Party menu = organic food, healthy snacks, and drinks.
Eat healthy and promote Barbecues that have vegetables covering them. But, for those you can’t resist a good piece of steak, opt for BBQ that comes from Grass fed cows. This is your best option for grilling and the most delicious in terms of flavor (and it’s healthier!).
Maintain healthy snacks! Find healthy snack options like fruits, veggies and nuts. Fruits and veggies are delicious, colorful, and can be very decorative as well. You can try zucchini fries baked in the oven! Also, opt for nutritional soy nuts instead of potato chips!
Step 3 Go Green E-Invitations
Electronic Invitations are a simple way to decrease your environmental impact. Visit www.ecofriendlyparty.com and browse through the wonderful 4th of July designs that you can use for free! You can also take advantage of the RSVP features, reminders to your guests, message board, etc. All these features make your party planning adventure easy…and fun!
Step 4 Go Green with your Decoration – Tableware
Every year billions of recyclable containers end in landfills. Food is a wonderful decorative element that can produce little or no waste. You can put dry fruits in ice cubes, or use berries to make fancy dishes. Decorate any party with 4th of July cupcakes or any other of your favorite desserts that celebrate this holiday.
Go simple, minimize waste! Play with elements you are going to use, reuse, and recycled for your decorations. Soy Candles made in USA are beautiful; they burn clean, support farmers and are very decorative.
For your Tableware, look for products made from sustainable, biodegradable, compostable or reusable materials.
If you select your materials carefully they can be very nationalistic while friendly to the environment. Remember elegance goes with simplicity. So keep it simple.
Step 5 Go Green and say “NO” to 4th of July Fireworks
“Fireworks are often propelled by gunpowder, and the accelerants and heavy metals used for colorations can leave traces in the air and water for days or even weeks after the party is over.” (U.S. EPA’s National Risk Management Research Laboratory,) If you are going green, fireworks on the 4th July should be a great consideration. If you are not ready to abandon this tradition, look instead to big community events to enjoy fireworks this 4th of July.
Step 6 Go Green Recycle
In America we recycle only 28% of the trash we produce. Using Recycling Bins that are visible to your guests can be a great tool to let people know you are recycling. Lead by example and avoid trash going to landfills.
