The fourth of July is less than a week away, so it's time to start planning. From barbecues, to fireworks, to getting to
your celebration destination, this holiday can have a big impact on the
environment.
This 4th of July, show your dedication to the environment
while celebrating the birth of our country by following the quick tips below.
1) Have a sustainable
barbecue. Ditch the
conventional paper plates and plastic utensils for compostable or reusable
items. Look for vegetarian recipes. Use propane for grilling, as it’s more
efficient and uses less CO2. If charcoal
grilling is the only option, look for environmentally friendly charcoal. Shop for local and organic foods.
2) Look for greener
fireworks. If it’s your tradition to
set off fireworks, look for fireworks rich in nitrogen, says Earth911.com. They can be more pricey, but release less
smoke into the environment. Or, you can
always choose to watch a public fireworks display and save some money as
well.
3) Ecofriendly
decorations. Instead of buying
plastic, one-use tablecloths, use old tablecloths and decorate them with
patriotic designs. Provide a fun
activity for kids and have them decorate an old sheet to use as a 4th
of July banner. Look for solar lights to
brighten the outdoors than can also be used all summer long. Also, rather than throw away your decorations
keep them for the following year and save time and money.
4) Sustainable
transportation. Choose a local 4th
of July celebration and avoid traffic and car emissions and walk or bike to
your destination. Or, if the
celebration is further away, look for a bus route or carpool. To motivate the kids, have them look for red,
white and blue crafts around the house to decorate their bikes and wagons and
have a 4th of July parade on the way there.
5) Avoid food
waste. If you’re hosting a party,
invite guests to bring their reusable containers and take food home. Or, bring the leftovers to work and share
with your coworkers.
Happy 4th of July from EcoGreenOffice!
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| Have a light eco-footprint this 4th of July and walk or bike to the local public fireworks display. You'll avoid transportation emissions and the emissions that come with setting off your own fireworks. |
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