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How To Party With Less Waste On Fourth Of July
Fourth of July is almost here! Show your independent spirit by celebrating with less waste and surprising your guests with your holiday planning panache.
How to reduce Fourth of July food waste
You can also express love for your country by cutting back on the food waste you produce. Why? Because food waste emits greenhouse gases when it decomposes, accounting for eight percent of global emissions. Here are some ways to plan for less food waste. 
- Get an accurate head-count for your party
Don’t go crazy with those extra margins for the people who have not RSVP’d but might come. Select your hors d’oeuvres tastefully so the quality, not the quantity impresses your guests. That way, you’ll ideally eat all the food you prepare--no more, no less.
- Have a back-up supply of non-perishables
Nuts, crackers, dried fruit, and chips are all great back-ups. If no one eats them, it’s fine, because that food can go back into a jar and stay fresh for at least a few more weeks. It’s much better than tossing out a platter of sliced watermelon that no one volunteers to eat.
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Give away your leftovers
Even with the best-made plans, we can still end up with leftovers. That food should go to hungry mouths. Give it away to your guests to take home or donate it to a charitable organization that serves homeless people.
Ways to cut back on waste from Fourth of July party supplies
When you’re planning a feast, it may be tempting to cut corners on cleaning up by opting for single-use products that you can easily throw away. Please don’t give in to this temptation this year. Here are some strategies.
- Skip single-use plates, straws, napkins, and cutlery
Impress your guests with real plates and utensils. If it’s a potluck, include directions to bring-your-own-plate. You can easily explain how this novel approach has an ethical purpose in your invitations.
- Make clean up a part of the celebration
No one likes to host a Fourth of July gathering only to discover that everyone has left when it’s time to clean up. Make sure everyone pitches in to help. Besides, encouraging others to live more consciously is always good for your karma. Bring out buckets of water and biodegradable soap suds to make it a splashy fun time.
Minimize waste from Fourth of July decorations
If you like to get into the spirit of the holiday by lining every corridor and awning with red, white and blue crepe paper decor--just don’t do that this year. That material is designed for you to throw it away. Try a better alternative. 
- No balloons and no confetti this year
Cheerful disposable decorations are going to become extinct in the next few years as more and more people get smart about microplastics and single-use waste. If creatures get attracted to the bright colors of the plastic, mistaking them for food, they’ll, unfortunately, suffer health consequences.
- Go for reusable or compostable DIY decorations
Have you ever thought of using dried flower petals for confetti, reusable paper lanterns for balloons or fabric ribbons for a splash of color? With DIY decor, you can be creative and add memorable touches of personality to your event. Just keep it either compostable or reusable. 
- Skip personal fireworks and watch your local show
I’ll admit that fireworks are literally “a blast.” But they also litter the surroundings with scraps and shards and they scare the nearby wildlife. You can still enjoy the excitement by joining in on one of the larger fireworks celebrations in your community. That way you can reduce waste and watch a dazzling display without risking a fire.
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