Summer is finally here in Canada! A memorable time to enjoy each year because it is very short. I am already getting ready for the barbeque and party season. Every year, I host a neighbourhood barbeque party in the cul de sac, but I might not be able to this year because of the pandemic. Perhaps instead we will meet in a small group and have a socially distanced party.

In general, parties are a huge source of waste. You can have lots of fun and be eco-friendly by adopting some easy zero-waste habits and ideas. Today, I am sharing with you a number of great tips on how to keep waste to a minimum during your summer celebrations.

Whether it be a birthday party, anniversary, family reunion, or a get-together of friends just because, this list will provide you with all info on how to make eco-friendly choices to have a green gathering.

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FOOD

Have a potluck kind of party

A potluck is a great way to bring people together, and enjoy cuisines from different cultures and cooking styles amongst different households. It also helps to make clean up really easy! Plan ahead and make a list of dishes to cover all the courses of the meal. Then divide the list between the party’s participants. Be sure to make note of any food allergies or intolerances to pass along with the dish type as well to ensure everyone can enjoy it. Make sure that there are options for all types of dietary requests such as vegan or vegetarian options.

Make fruit kebabs

Wooden skewers make cutlery obsolete! These handy serving sticks are 100% biodegradable after use. Select seasonal fruit from your local farmer’s market and cut them into hefty chunks. Be sure to mix and match fruit types to account for picky eaters. The best part about this is that if they don’t all get eaten, you can throw them in a freezer bag for smoothies or add them to the homemade sangria idea I have listed below!

Have an alternative to the real meat, like vegan sausages and burgers

Ensuring everyone is able to partake in the festivities is just as important as your guests’ presence. If you are hosting a BBQ, make sure to always have non-meat options available to guests. If you are on a budget, at the very least, take a poll prior to the date to find out what vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options to keep on hand.

Make homemade lemonade

Instead of choosing plastic bottles of juice or lemonade, make it fresh. Skip the sugar and processed chemical flavors in store-bought batches and combine freshly squeezed lemons with a coconut or cane sugar simple syrup. This is sure to be a hit and will help avoid any mega sugar crashes from the kiddos.

Make homemade sangria

One summer, Mark and I visited my family in Spain and we had the most amazing dinner at a Spanish restaurant that also had Sangria.

I asked for the recipe and they actually gave it to me.

Here is the recipe for 2 litters of Sangria

• 1 bottle of red wine that is numbered #2 or #3

• Fresh orange juice from 10 oranges

• 750 ml of sparkling water

• Juice from half of a lemon

• Ice cubes

Homemade sangria is the perfect in-between for both cocktail and wine lovers. One large batch will minimize the number of bottles used instead of everyone bringing their own. A great way to come together is to get everyone to contribute to the recipe. Have two people bring a bottle of wine each, another can bring liquor from the recipe of choice, someone else a carafe of juice, and another can bring the fresh or frozen fruit to finish it off. Mix it all together into pitchers or a punch bowl and grab a ladle to enjoy!

Buy beer from a local brewery in big bottles that can be recycled or reused

Local breweries are popping up all over the country. There are so many great local businesses to support that opt for real, natural ingredients instead of additives and preservatives in mass-produced recipes. A great way to supply great booze but minimize waste is to check with your local brewery for choice to see if they carry growlers. These are large 2L bottles of beer that can be poured into individual cups for your guests. I’d choose this option over a keg because you can have multiple types of beer and still benefit from the breweries take back or recycling program.

Order sweets from a local bakery

If you are a baker, you don’t need this, but if you want some cookies that do not come in plastic wrapping, try calling a local bakery. Ask if you can bring your own containers or if they can arrange to deliver the cookies in a plastic-free container for you. Here in PEI, Whisk and Sugar is a great locally owned bakery offering a variety of treats as well as vegan options.

DECOR

Put up a hammock or a swing

I promise a hammock will be the main attraction. I borrowed one for one of my parties and everybody was taking turns to lounge out in it. They provide an additional resting and conversation spot.

Use solar-powered lights

When dusk arrives, be prepared to set the mood with a green lighting solution. Be sure to take the time to charge them up through the days prior to the party so that they will last the whole night.

Use real silverware and dishware and ditch the plastic dishware

Skip the plastic, one-time-use disposable utensils and paper plates and consider using real dishware. You can visit your local thrift store to mix and match plates for a cute vintage look, or make use of what you already have.

Use real napkins

Like these linen ones, you can throw in the wash. If you are having a large group come together, consider having a basket of rags at hand for easy cleanup that saves on the waste

Make confetti from leafs

Hosting a green party doesn’t mean you need to skip out on traditional celebratory fun. Instead of glitter, you can hole-punch fallen leaves into a variety of shapes for a fun eco-friendly twist. I find dry leaves work best. Enjoy the confetti shower while speeding up the decomposition process.

ACTIVITIES

Make homemade liquid for bubbles

There are so many extensive recipes online including sugars and glycerin to bind the soap molecules. But you really only need equal parts water and dawn dish soap to create really sticky elastic-like bubbles. The trick is to prepare the mixture two to three days ahead of time in a bowl or tray to let the soap settle. Day of the party you can use it to dip bubble wands, or a circle of cord thread between two reusable straws into the liquid for a ton of fun.

Watch a movie in the backyard

A small projector and white sheet can take your party to the next level. This is a great addition for those with kids that will be joining in on the festivities or as background noise to set the mood. You can set out chairs, rugs, blankets, or pillows around the watching area for people to join in on the viewing party.

Bring out the board games

If you have your own collection, board games are a great ice breaker. If your friends and family can contribute to this for the event day — that works too! Make sure to keep pieces together and have game instructions on hand. If you have misplaced them for whatever reason, f.g.bradley has an extensive collection of old and new game rules you can check out.

Play games that move your body

I’ve put together a Pinterest board full of fun movement-based games to keep your guests active and get endorphins pumping! One idea I saw that I loved is hosting a sort of Olympic-style round-robin of games like an obstacle course, bean bag toss, and human ring toss.

Have a backyard fire and marshmallows

If your party is happening after dark, a fire will add such a cozy comforting atmosphere to the event. Be sure to check with your local fire department to find out the regulations in place for your area, and always make sure to keep eyes on the flame!

AFTER PARY

Compost the food scraps

Where possible, utilize your home compost bin to dispose of the organic waste from guests. Vegetable scraps, uneaten food, paper products, and grass clippings can all be disposed of here. It is not recommended to put animal products in a home compost as it will attract unwanted animal guests.

Make doggy bags for each guest with the leftovers

Spread the wealth after the party has ended by offering to put together leftovers to send home with your guests. This will ensure no food goes to waste and provide second meals all around.

What’s your favorite tip? I’m hosting a small get-together soon so leave any others you might have in the comments for me to check out!

Until next time,

—Claudia

Hey, Claudia here

I am a senior graphic designer, a dog mom, an advocate for a zero-waste lifestyle, climate change, and sustainability. My articles are based on personal experience and well researched to give you the best source of information for all things zero-waste.