If the thought of throwing a birthday party conjures up with colorful themed plates or beautiful balloon displays in mind, you’re not alone. But as stay-at-home entertainment becomes more popular post-pandemic, it’s time to reconsider how much waste these gatherings cause. Entertaining friends and family at home is an easy way for everyone to come together to celebrate, but you don’t have to sacrifice sustainability for a big party.
We’ve put together the best eco-friendly entertainment ideas to help you plan your next backyard party. With simple substitutions, such as compostable cutlery and repurposed party décor, you can plan a fun and sustainable celebration.
1. Send a digital invitation
Consider sending an e-invitation for family events, such as a backyard rehearsal dinner or a baby shower, which often require a paper invitation. You can still create beautiful letters (sites like Canva help you design e-invitations for free) to send to your guests in the form of text messages or emails. Plus, you’ll save money on postage and avoid throwing all your paper and envelopes in the trash.
2. Repurpose home décor
It can be tempting to go to a party supply store for cheap decorations that fit the theme, but try swapping out disposable decorations for reusable accessories. Repurpose home décor items instead of buying party supplies that you throw away after the event. Use a photo frame at home to frame a printed image that fits the party’s theme, or take a garland out of a seasonal bin to decorate the snack table. You can never go wrong with a small bouquet made from fresh-cut flowers! If you decide to buy something new for the celebration, look for something you can use again later.
3. Dinner parties
There’s nothing worse than overestimating the amount of food needed for a party only to end up eating it all night. To avoid wasting food, do a people count before the event to get an accurate estimate of how much food you’ll need. For casual gatherings, packaged snacks like chips or pretzels are a good option, as you can save or donate unopened packages if you buy too much food.
Or, turn the celebration into a potluck! This will not only ensure that everyone has enough food, but you know that there is at least one food that everyone will enjoy. In addition, guests can take home leftovers at the end of the evening.
4. Avoid disposable plates and cutlery
While paper plates can be found on almost any party theme, the vast majority of disposable cutlery cannot be recycled. Instead, opt for the reusable cutlery you already have (even if they don’t match!). It saves your wallet and protects the environment. Be sure to empty the dishwasher at the beginning of the day so guests can put their own utensils on and avoid a mountain of clutter in the sink.
Sometimes the use of disposable cutlery is unavoidable, for example, if you have a party in the park or if you don’t have enough plates for all the invitees to enjoy. In this case, look for dishes and cutlery that are recyclable or compostable. The Repurpose brand has a lot of compostable products (they’re made from plants!). and they are better for the planet than plastic products.
5. Place the recycling bin
Single-use beverage containers are almost inevitable at bring-your-own-drink gatherings, but most single-use beverage containers can be recycled after they have been used. Prepare a recycling bin or recycling bin into which guests can throw away empty cans and bottles. Once the party is over, sort them according to your area’s recycling guidelines. If your recycling bin doesn’t allow glassware to be recycled, you may need to go for recycling separately.
6. Skip party gifts
It’s customary to give party gifts at events like children’s birthday parties or baby baptisms, but these are often discarded after the event. Take the money you would have otherwise spent on a gift wrapped in cellophane and donate it to a charity that fits the theme of the party. If you’re hosting an event for individuals (like a birthday party), ask them to choose a charity.
