Throwing a party to celebrate the United States of America this July 4th? Whether you’re hosting a small get together, or throwing a bash for the whole block, entertaining a crowd can create a lot of waste. This year you can still be the host(ess) with the most, without sacrificing your pledge to be plastic free!
The easiest, and most obvious way to cut down on waste is to switch to reusable food serviceware. Swapping out flimsy plastic cutlery for reusable silverware, trading disposable plates for reusable ones, and offering an alternative to wasteful plastic, styrofoam or paper cups can make a huge difference. If your daily use serviceware won’t accomodate your crowd, or you’re worried about damage, check out your local second hand shop or garage sales. A set of 48 pieces of silverware that will last you 20 or 30 years cost just under $10 here. Time monitoring the trash can be swapped for washing a few dishes to keep them available. Make sure you have a clear sink or dishwasher and clearly mark where you’d like dirty items to go. Plus, advertising that you’re going waste free will get people talking and is bound to drum up some help from partygoers that are willing to pitch in a couple minutes at the sink!
Check out some additional tips to cut down on other waste:
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Swap disposable napkins for reusable ones. A cute and cheap option is dollar store bandanas that come in festive colors for any celebration!
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Plastic tablecloths look awful by the end of the night. An inexpensive option is to head to your local craft store for fabric by the yard!
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While you’re at the craft store check out reusable decorations that can be stored and used year after year.
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Not ready to splurge on holiday specific reusable items? Check out after holiday sales to get everything you need for a waste free 4th of July next year!
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Don’t want to deal with silverware? Craft your menu to include only finger foods or foods that can be eaten with sustainable bamboo appetizer sticks such as these.
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Buying in bulk to feed a crowd can reduce packaging headed for the landfill.
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Don’t buy pre-packaged party platters! Spend an extra couple minutes, save an extra couple bucks, AND avoid a whole lot of plastic.
Think you can still have the convenience of disposable without the harmful environmental effects through so-called “bioplastics”? There are tons of options out there, but corporate greenwashing can make products sound a lot better than they are. Just how biodegradable are bioplastics? See the comparison in terminology below to help you be an informed shopper. Just remember - these still create waste, and reusable should be your first choice!
Degradable – All plastic is degradable, even traditional plastic, but just because it can be broken down into tiny fragments or powder does not mean the materials will ever return to nature. Some additives to traditional plastics make them degrade more quickly. Photodegradable plastic breaks down more readily in sunlight; oxo-degradable plastic disintegrates more quickly when exposed to heat and light.
Biodegradable – Biodegradable plastic can be broken down completely into water, carbon dioxide and compost by microorganisms under the right conditions. “Biodegradable” implies that the decomposition happens in weeks to months. Bioplastics that don’t biodegrade that quickly are called “durable,” and some bioplastics made from biomass that cannot easily be broken down by microorganisms are considered non-biodegradable.
Compostable – Compostable plastic will biodegrade in a compost site. Microorganisms break it down into carbon dioxide, water, inorganic compounds and biomass at the same rate as other organic materials in the compost pile, leaving no toxic residue.
Now that you have all the information you need to throw an amazing 4th of July party without all the plastic, take the Plastic Free July Pledge!
Source: Cho, R. (2017, December 13). The Truth About Bioplastics. Retrieved from https://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2017/12/13/the-truth-about-bioplastics/