Caring for the environment is crucial nowadays more than ever. The amount of plastic found in the ocean is frightening, but what’s more horrifying is the massive number of animal casualties. In the beginning, using plastic for convenience was a stellar idea, until the population grew and so did the number of people who use it. Now the world is drowning in plastic whether on land or in water.
Fortunately, there is a movement and lifestyle called zero waste. People still go on about their daily lives, but they are more conscious of and avoid producing nonbiodegradable waste like plastic. People have this misinformed idea that, if you have a zero-waste lifestyle, you can’t enjoy life anymore. There are solutions and alternatives for using single-use products.
One of the more specific plastic pollutants that continue to harm innocent animals is solo cups. These drinking tools are ever present in parties, and but you can still host a fun birthday bash without using solo cups, any kind of plastic material, or an excessive amount of paper. Here are some tips.
Go for E-invites
Paper invitations existed at the time before the internet did, so it made sense to use them at that time. Harness the power of technology by sending virtual invites to your guests instead. You can use either email or social media, whichever is most convenient. Do make sure to confirm the number of attendees a few days before the party, if you’re looking to serve just enough food to prevent waste.
Tone Down the Decorations
Almost all decorations are disposable, so instead of buying more to be thrown away later, opt to tone down the decorations. You can recycle some of the stuff you already own or repurpose them to fit what homemade decors you have in mind. If you’re going the DIY route, it can be turned into a fun activity.
If you have children, then there’s a big chance that you have unused or forgotten art supplies stashed somewhere. Zero waste doesn’t mean you don’t have to produce trash always; it also means utilizing things you already own. If you must decorate because there is a party theme, opt to get wholesale themed party supplies that you can reuse for other events in the future.
Utilize What’s On Hand
You know what is one of the best ways to be zero waste and to educate the younger education on the world’s dependence on plastic? Using real plates, cups, utensils, and cloth napkins instead of their paper or plastic counterparts. It may raise some questions or cause confusion among kids and parents, but doing a party this way will, hopefully, put an emphasis on avoiding wastage.
Additionally, people are more careful when they use ceramic plates and cups. It may take a while to wash all of them, but it’s better than producing several plastic bags of disposable garbage. You have to be conscious of your water consumption, though, as that is also another factor to consider when going the zero-waste route.
Another idea you can try is to ask your guests to bring their own plates, cups, and cutlery so the burden of washing doesn’t fall solely on you and you don’t have to worry about letting guests use your inherited fine china. You can also tell your guests to bring their own doggie bag if they want the leftover party food.
What Loot Bags?
It’s okay to indulge in candies and junk food once in a while and in small amounts, but you know as parents that good habits start early. The more the kids stay away from eating unhealthy food, the more they won’t crave for it. There is no better time than now to skip out on giving away sugary sweets and trinkets to drive the lesson of zero waste home.
It’s a winning situation for parents as well because they don’t have to contend with cleaning up the cheap toys that will inevitably break after a day or two. However, if you must have loot bags or have something to give away, go for more environmentally friendly alternatives like homemade slime or playdough instead.
Fun Experience over Gifts
It seems hypocritical to ask for gifts that will come in wrapping paper and bags if you’re going zero waste. Instead of swearing to save and reuse the paper and bags, opt instead to go the no-gifts route.
Make sure to talk about it with your birthday celebrator. You know you’ve done your job if they prioritize having fun with their friends than having a lot of gifts. If you’ve reached an understanding and your child agrees to this arrangement, inform the parents of your guests about the no-gifts policy, but if they insist on giving something, tell them not to use wrappers for their presents.
Bottom Line
If the zero-waste lifestyle is new to you, it can be a little challenging to adjust, especially if you are bringing your family into it too. A low-waste party is also an option for you if you absolutely must have some of the things that your child wants for their birthday. You’ll soon find out that, with or without the trappings, the party can still be a blast.
What zero-waste measures have you applied in your life?
Share your thoughts and comments below.
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