Party it Up “Green” Style

Going “green” is on everyone’s mind these days. Why not incorporate that enviro-saving mentality into your next soirée? Divine.ca has tips on how you can make your party an eco-friendly one.

Send out an e-vite
If you’re going to send out invitations, send an e-mail or go to a website to create an e-vite. You can also design your own invitation, scan it and email to your guests as a graphic file such as a JPEG or GIF. If the occasion is a formal one that calls for a hard-copy invitation, have them printed on paper stock that is made of recycled paper.

Serve locally-sourced food
You may not think about this very often, but the veggies on your appetizer platter may have travelled on a fossil-fuel burning truck from hundreds of miles away. Cut down on CO2 emissions by buying produce and other food from a local farmers’ market or an organic grocer. Serving locally-sourced food means your party offerings made a shorter trip from the earth to your guests’ plates. Also, think locally when it comes to refreshments and pick up ale from local breweries or wines grown in your region.

Dispose of the disposables
You’ll be doing Mother Earth a big favour by using regular plates, cups, cutlery and cloth napkins to reduce your trash build-up. If you’re one to throw several parties throughout the year, it may be worth your while to purchase dinnerware exclusively for home entertaining purposes so you don’t have to bring out your good dishes every time. Large retail chain stores carry inexpensive and attractive dinnerware; many made of recycled plastics too.
 
Use eco-disposable dishware
While reusable tableware is the greenest choice, it isn’t always the most practical one, especially for large gatherings. When shopping for party supplies, look for chlorine-free unbleached paper plates or “eco-disposable” plates and cutlery made of renewable and biodegradable materials. Eco-disposable dinnerware comes in different varieties, including plates and utensils made of sugar cane, “cereplast” (bio-plastic made of cereal and plastic) or bamboo. Napkins made of 100 per cent recycled paper are also a relatively easy find in major grocery retail chains.

Rent your dinnerware and glassware
For bigger parties, consider renting real wine glasses, plates and cutlery. Bonus: you’re saving dishwasher loads of water since the party supplies rental company takes care of the cleaning.

Get eco-savvy with décor
If you’re the creative type, then you know you can do just about anything with materials you find around the house. Use your imagination and craftiness to decorate your table using natural or recycled items. Some ideas—make napkin rings out of long blades of grass; use corks from empty wine bottles as name cardholders; or pour sangria, iced water or any other drink into a glass vase and use as a jug or pitcher.

Don’t forget the third “R”
With these tips, you’ll be the “hostess with the mostest” when it comes to reducing and reusing. Remember to also recycle at your party. Place a recycling bin beside the trash can to encourage your guests to properly dispose of any recyclable material.