~ July 8th 2022 – Blog by UCRRA Recycling Educator Tanesia White~

Summer is the season to gather with all of your loved ones! It’s also the season of warm weather, which inspires us to host graduation parties, barbeques, special gatherings, and picnics. There are ways to gather with our friends and families in a environmentally friendly manner without feeling any climate anxiety. Here are some ideas for an eco-friendly summer party!

Seasonal Produce

If you have the option, shop locally! Farmers markets are an excellent way to support small, local businesses and farmers while enjoying delicious, fresh, seasonal produce and goods. Certain items purchased at a grocery store (for example, strawberries, lettuce, etc.) always comes packaged in plastic clamshells containers (PET Thermoform). Clamshell packaging is NOT recyclable, but summer strawberries are abundant at farmers markets, farm stands, and CSAs. This makes it easy to avoid a lot of non-recyclable plastic found at the grocery store.

Reminder: Don’t forget your reusable bag and reusable produce bags when shopping! Leave a stash of them in your bookbag, purse, or trunk of your car so you always have them on hand. 

Label bins appropriately so guests know which bin is for composting/recycling/trash

Often times, people need convenience to do the right thing. If you set your party up for success, your guests will be more likely to make the right choices about what and where to recycle. Having properly labeled bins all in one convenient location will eliminate confusion. Wherever there is a garbage can, offer the options to recycle correctly and/or compost (if applicable) should also be offered at the same station.

Having a recycling station at your party will also allow you to get your bottle deposits back! This is especially useful if you’re planning a large gathering where everyone will be drinking from bottles and cans. If those bottles/cans end up in the garbage, you not only lose the chance to earn back money, but all of the natural resources that went into making each item also goes to waste!

If your friends and family are unsure about what is recyclable, and you want to keep contamination out of your bin, display our Dual-Stream Recycling Guide: (EN) (ES)

  • Recycling rules may vary depending on where you live or who your service provider is.  Please contact your service provider if you have a curbside collection program and find out what is and isn’t recyclable. Our Dual-Stream Recycling Guide is intended for residents who use their town’s municipal drop-off transfer stations.
Replace Disposable Drinkware & Silverware with their Reusable Alternatives

To the greatest extent possible, it’s best to use real plates, silverware, and drinkware at parties to reduce waste, or ask your guests to bring their own food containers and cups! This is an excellent way for your guests to take leftovers home without having to part with your own personal food storage containers. Having your guest bring their own containers will save you time when cleaning up!

Tip #1: Serve water and drinks in pitchers/drink dispensers

Tip #2: Choose a cone over cup when serving ice cream! Ice cream boxes and containers are NOT recyclable.

Tip #3: Popsicle sticks can be composted or saved for DIY projects. Here are 30 Creative Things to do with Popsicle Sticks

Storing Leftovers

If there are any bowls or containers left over from serving food, consider using Bee’s Wrap and Silicone Bowl Covers instead of plastic wrap. Over time, the investment in these items will save you money because you won’t have to keep repurchasing sing-use items.

Reminder: Aluminum foil trays are highly recyclable! Please remember that all recyclables have to be clean and dry before being placed in your bin.

What are the different ways you try to reduce waste when having parties? Email your tips to twhi@ucrra.org with the subject line “Eco-Friendly Parties!”

Plastic pollution in the oceans is causing concern in communities all over the world. That is why hundreds of millions of people around the world have chosen to participate in Plastic Free July. Want to learn more or participate in the challenge? Please click the button below.