Sometimes we make green living more complicated than it should be. The concept is simple – a natural lifestyle should come naturally, shouldn’t it? And shouldn’t it be simple to celebrate an eco friendly birthday party?
Think of the last child’s party you attended. Chances are – the cardboard, paper, plastic, and heavy-duty tie wraps filled a garbage bag or two. And that’s just wrapping paper and packaging! Most people don’t realize that with all the laminates, dyes, and glitter… most wrapping paper is not recyclable.
It all comes back to keeping it simple. These tips might turn the conventional birthday party upside down, but they’ll set you free along the way.
A party for 30 people can send more than 100 single-use items to a landfill.
Experience parties (pottery making, tie-dyeing a t-shirt, touring the local fire station) leave a memory that doesn’t get lost in the bottom of the toy box. Set up a craft bar for beaded necklaces, clay sculptures, painted pots, cloth ninja masks, or your child’s favorite thing ever craft.
Rather than buy new wrapping paper, try wrapping gifts with your child’s artwork, old travel maps, the comics, or any box, bucket or basket you have on hand. We’ve got dozens of ideas here on how to wrap gifts sustainably. Another unique, reusable alternative is a fabric gift bag.
One look at the birds, seals, sea turtles and other marine life who are strangled, tangled, or choked by balloon ribbon or bits of balloon and you won’t find those balls of latex (and their false biodegradable claims) so festive.