Hosting an Eco-Friendly Summer Party

Want to throw a fun summer party without sacrificing your eco-conscious values? It’s absolutely possible. And it’s easier than you might think!

Whether it’s a Memorial Day cookout, Fourth of July pool party, or any summer gathering in between… there are plenty of ways maintain your eco-friendly lifestyle while having a great time with friends or family.

From sustainable food choices to low-waste ideas, hosting an eco-friendly summer party is all about being intentional while keeping it fun.

Here are our top eco-friendly summer party ideas.

Choose Local, Seasonal Food

Fresh food is a highlight of any summer party. Shopping your local farmer’s market not only supports small farms, but also cuts down on the emissions caused by long-distance food transport. Seasonal produce is more flavorful, nutrient-rich, and often more affordable.

As a bonus, buying locally means more money is kept within your community. This past May was the first time I’ve had our annual Kentucky Derby party catered. A friend recommended a local, family-owned business. They were a breeze throughout the planning process, and the food was outstanding. We felt great supporting their small business, and they made the party so much easier for us.

That said, I still made dessert – derby pie squares. So if you’re handling the food, or want some festive recipe ideas, these can be made with fresh, organic, and most likely local ingredients:

Greek Yogurt with Red & Blue Berries
Strawberry Blueberry Jicama Salsa
Pool Day Snacks & Charcuterie Boards
Organic Raspberry Sorbet
Summer Snacks & Charcuterie Ideas
Red, White, & Blue Fruit Kebabs

Swap Single-Use for Reusables

Disposable partyware creates unnecessary waste – especially paper plates, which usually can’t be recycled due to food residue or waxy coatings (source).

Instead, stock up on durable reusable options. Melamine plates are a party-friendly choice that’s both sturdy and stylish. While you don’t exactly want to eat from melamine plates every day, they work out great at parties and you can often find them affordably online or at Target.

If disposable is your only option, try compostable and biodegradable plates like these from Bambu. are a more optimal choice compared to paper because when rinsed off they can be thrown in your recycling bin with the rest of your plastic.

Thrift stores are great places to find a collection of real silverware for parties.

Mason jars are great as party glasses. For a party with kids, you probably want to choose a safer option. When my kids were little, we’d often buy a set of plastic character cups (Star Wars, Harry Potter) to use during the party and send home as favors.

Years ago, I wrote an article on why it’s time to say goodbye to the goodie bag because they’re generally filled with junk that no one needs. But for our annual Kentucky Derby party, I give everyone the current year’s commemorative Derby glass because they’re useful at the party. And our friends tell us they continue to use them year round.

Let Mother Nature Provide the Backdrop

Hosting your party outdoors lowers your energy use and gives everyone a chance to soak up fresh air and natural light. Nature has a calming effect, and outdoor settings tend to encourage more movement and connection – especially for kids.

Plus, if you’re not running the air conditioning inside, guests are less likely to wander indoors (which helps keep your energy bill in check).

That said, if the forecast is 97 degrees with 99% humidity – and your party doesn’t involve a pool – it’s perfectly fine to move things inside. Sustainability also means being flexible and comfortable.

Either way, make sure there are ways for your guests to cool down. Provide shady seating areas, serve refreshing drinks or the popsicles above, or a dip in the pool minus the chemicals!

Decorate Sustainably

Skip the single-use plastic streamers and helium balloons in favor of earth-friendly decorations that can be reused again and again. Not only will your party look beautiful, but you’ll also keep unnecessary waste out of landfills.

Try some of these low-impact ideas:

• Mason jars with fresh-cut flowers or herbs: Simple, elegant, and they easily return to nature when the party’s over.
• Solar-powered string lights: Add ambiance that lasts well into the evening without relying on electricity.
• Nature-themed party: Look at inspiration like a forest or woodland themed party for ideas on how to make it both beautiful and at home in nature.
• Nature-inspired centerpieces: Use branches, pinecones, or sea shells gathered with your kids ahead of time.
• Fabric bunting or reusable banners: These add charm and can be used for birthdays, holidays, or any celebration.

You can even set a “zero-waste” theme and invite guests to join in by bringing decor or tableware from home.

Plan Low Waste Activities

Fun doesn’t have to mean lots of stuff, or lots of trash. Skip the plastic party games and opt for simple, low-waste activities that keep kids and adults engaged.

Try these sustainable crowd-pleasers:

• Nature scavenger hunt: Encourage kids to explore and connect with the outdoors using a simple printable list of nature items to find.
• Upcycled lawn games: DIY cornhole, giant Jenga made from scrap wood, or ring toss with glass bottles.
• Zero-waste water balloons: Find several options for reusable water balloons that provide tons of fun in the heat.
• Painted rock tic-tac-toe: Easy, fun, and reusable—plus a great craft station to set up early in the party.

Not only do these activities reduce waste, they also encourage creativity and outdoor play—which is what summer is all about.

Grill Greener

Grilled food is a staple of summer parties. Although neither propane nor charcoal is perfect, charcoal releases about twice the amount of carbon dioxide as propane. Natural gas has been found to be the optimum choice. If your family grills often, it may be worthwhile to connect your grill to your home’s gas supply.

And if you’re concerned about carcinogens in grilled food, you can minimize your exposure to cancer-causing compounds before, during and after you grill with these tips.

Reduce Party Food Waste

Parties can be a major source of food waste. Danielle Nierenberg of Food Tank offers these ideas for reducing food waste and making the best eco-friendly summer party:

• When adding carrots to coleslaw or celery to potato salad, add the vegetables’ leaves for extra flavor and nutrients. Bonus: when adding herbs like dill or parsley to these classic dishes, use the leaves and stems!
• Use stale rolls after the holiday to make croutons, breadcrumbs, or even bread pudding.
• Sprinkle leftover wine and sangria into sauces for extra acidic flavor. And freeze leftover lemonades, punches, or mixed drinks for a cooling treat through the rest of the summer.
• Freeze leftover or bruised fruit for nutritious breakfast smoothies on July 5th. Stuck on those watermelon rinds? Sautée or pickle organic watermelon rinds for a sweet addition.
• Collect the bones from barbecued meats to make stock.
• Use an app or organization in your community that will accept surplus meals for donation.

Set Up a Clear Waste / Recycling Station

There’s no need for your celebration to create a bunch of waste. Compost the food scraps, and recycle the items your area accepts: plastic, aluminum, and glass.

Cups, chip bags, and drink pouches can be recycled through TerraCycle’s free collection program, where two cents for each item goes to a charity of the collector’s choice.

Keep Kids & Pets Safe During Fireworks

If fireworks are part of your celebration, think safety and sensitivity – specially for young kids and pets.

• Always keep a hose or fire extinguisher nearby and clean up debris immediately (and again the next morning to catch anything missed in the dark).
• Set up a safe, quiet viewing area for children who may be overwhelmed.
• For pets, Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM says classical music has been shown to reduce canine anxiety. Pet thunder shirts are also an option to help comfort stressed dogs.

Small Changes, Big Impact

An eco-friendly summer party isn’t about perfection. It’s about making thoughtful choices that reduce waste, save energy, and help protect our planet. With a little planning, your celebration can be just as joyful and sustainable.

Find more ways to celebrate parties and holidays sustainably:

How to Host an Eco-Friendly Birthday Party
Outdoor Birthday Party Games
Creative, Green Birthday Gift Wrapping Ideas
Woodland Theme Party Ideas
Sustainable Gift Wrapping Ideas