Summer brings fun gatherings with backyard BBQs, picnics, and poolside parties and can be low waste! It can also be a great way to get your friends and family to choose reusables over disposables and keep those conversations going all summer long.
Start by planning the celebration around reusables instead of disposables. Back in the day, it was all about paper plates, plastic forks, and paper napkins to make it easier to have fun. But remember when the evening wind kicked up and everything blew everything all over, or you had bags of trash to take out? Let’s skip that and choose reusables…your friends and family can get in on the fun too!
Encourage guests to decorate their favorite glassware for the day and bring it with them to use. Head to the thrift store to pick up some “outside” plates that can be used over and over all summer! While you’re there, grab some cutlery too! Paper napkins might be good if you’re doing extra sticky foods or have lots of kids, but set out some reusable cloth napkins and see how it goes!
Thrift stores are full of great BBQ tool options, and your local Buy Nothing group just might have the perfect BBQ or smoker that someone is getting rid of. Remember, we can also borrow items too! Want to try using a smoker and know your neighbor has one? Ask to borrow it and test it out before committing to getting one of your own. Sharing is caring!
Grilling with an electric grill is a good option to keep emissions down, but also using what you already have is best. If you have a charcoal grill, try using lump charcoal made from natural wood and don’t use lighter fluid, a chimney starter works great!
Shop your local farmer’s market for all the freshest fruits and veggies for the feast! Do you have a butcher at your farmer’s market or a local CSA that offers meat? It’s going to taste better and reduce the transportation cost, all while supporting local!
Choosing veggie-forward meals is a great way to save money on the party and get creative with new ways to grill the bounty from the farmer’s market! Hello grilled zucchini kabobs, and have you tried grilled romaine? Cut the head of romaine in half, coat with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper, and lightly grill. Then add dressing. It’s delicious!
Try to skip prepackaged when you can to ditch the pesky plastic wrapping and containers.
Remember to have your compost bin ready for those times when someone drops their food while playing cornhole or someone bumps into them. Clearly marked trash, recycling, and compost bins are a great way to help everyone put things in the correct place. Remember, paper napkins are compostable!
Use nature as your décor instead of single-use options. Have fun with your tablecloth, we loved leaving the stains on there. They told a story of fun! Or dye your tablecloth to hide the old stains. Grab some flowers at the farmer’s market to decorate with or use your potted plants you already have.
Do you and your friends / family have get togethers often? Share the resources! Ask to borrow that beautiful glass pitcher from your sister and fill it with fresh cut fruit and water, this doubles as a decoration too!
Love gifting your guests favors? Stop by the local seed store for local seeds to make seed bombs with or gift them some flowers that you used as décor. It’s also ok to skip gifts!
With the longer days, warmer evenings, and kids out of school, summer feels like an amazing time to get together with friends and family outdoors! Let’s keep it low-waste while having fun and maybe even inspire others to reduce waste too!
