Summer Eco Party Planning in 5 Easy Steps

Backyard barbeques and outdoor festivities are quintessential to the summer months. With kids out of school, friends in town, and long, warm nights, parties are the perfect way to celebrate the season.

As an event planner I love a great party as much as the next person but seeing the huge amount of waste that is typically generated quickly began to worry me. Through research I found that the event industry produces the second largest carbon footprint and that $42.8 billion of food is wasted every year in the United States!

Wanting to be part of the solution and not the problem, I made a promise to begin planning my events differently, with a conscious, as I like to think of them. With a little bit of thought and planning anyone can enjoy all the fun summer has to offer while still being mindful of the planet. Eco party planning may even save you a couple of bucks!

I’d like to share with you my tips for planning the perfect eco friendly affair, from start to finish.

Eco Party Planning Made Easy

1.    BBQ Grills:  Like most of us, summer get-togethers mean barbeques. Before turning on your grill though make sure you’re using a cleaner burning propane or electric model over one powered by charcoal, which contributes much more to poor air quality.

If a charcoal BBQ is your only option, use lump coal instead of briquettes. And for a truly eco grilling experience, solar ovens and stoves are available which mitigate most emissions altogether.

2. Now for everyone’s favorite part: the food! Head to your local farmer’s market to purchase as many items on your shopping list as possible. Not only is this the most economical place to shop, it’s also the healthiest and greenest. For your meats, poultry, and fish choose the leanest cuts and trim fat before cooking to minimize potentially carcinogenic substances that can form from grilling at high temperatures.

Of course, the most sustainable and frugal option is to bypass the meat, poultry, and fish section entirely. About 25 percent of a person’s carbon footprint comes from what he or she eats, and raising animals for food is one of the most resource-intensive industries. I realize that for many, having a barbeque involves meat so while you don’t have to become a vegetarian, you can cut back your consumption. Instead of relying on animal products as your source of protein, try legumes or quinoa.

3.    Glass and ceramic tableware aren’t very practical for a casual outdoor affair but that doesn’t mean you have to resort to one time use plastic and paper products. Instead of generating waste when choosing tableware and cutlery, use non-disposable plates and silverware that can be used at all your events throughout the summer.

Preserve makes great products in fun colors that are made of recycled plastic and can be reused and recycled. If disposable items are the only practical option for your party choose plates and cutlery made of compostable materials such as sugarcane, bamboo, and cornstarch. And always remember the 100% recycled napkins.

4. As far as décor, less is definitely more when it comes to throwing a green event; Celebrating with the environment in mind means consuming less and buying less. So forget the balloons, and instead opt for items that can be reused days, or months after your event.

Potted plants with color themed flowers are a beautiful, festive way to decorate your home for your party. Small flowerpots can also be given away as favors to your guests. Burn soy-based candles in matching colors for a flattering, and fragrant outside glow.

5. Once the party is over the final and most important step to your eco friendly event begins: waste disposal. Recycling and composting are essential, and should be planned for before the party begins. Place three separate containers at each trash station throughout your event, one for recyclables, one for compostables, and one for garbage.

If this is done beforehand it makes clean up that much easier. Otherwise it will be your job after the party to separate the trash into the appropriate bags, using biodegradable garbage bags of course. For cleaning surfaces and dishes use all natural cleaning products that are not only good for the environment, but good for your health as well.

With a little thought prior to your event, eco party planning is the key to a scrumptious, beautiful and guilt-free event.  And as you can see from how easy it is, going eco for your summer parties is such a natural option!

Chrissy Gray is the owner of Green Events, an earth friendly event planning company based in Orange County, CA. For more information on how to plan your next eco affair contact Chrissy at chrissy@grnevents.com.

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