How to Have an Eco Friendly 4th of July Holiday

The Fourth of July is a holiday all about patriotism, family values, parades… and sadly, the aftermath is pollution and trash. While those first three items are things to celebrate, the last two items are not. Fortunately, there are steps you can actively take to ensure that your next Independence Day is an eco-friendly affair to remember.

Reuse and Refill

Will you be going out for the day to a 4th of July event? Bring reusable containers to fill with water for your family. Then you can refill them at water fountains. You’ll save money because you won’t be buying water, plus there won’t be any water bottles to dispose of. You’ll also save your family a dollar per bottle.

Farmer’s Markets

Are you hosting a gathering at your home? Buy food at your local farmer’s market. Buying local food decreases carbon emissions from boats, trains and trucks that bring food from further away. If you must use disposable plastic plates and cups, wash them after dinner so you can reuse them. If possible, buy recycled or compostable paper products at the grocery store. You could take your holiday dining a step further and just use your normal dinnerware. Serve organic juices and home-made beer.

BBQ with Propane

Will you be barbecuing? Use propane. Propane produces less smoke than other traditional sources of fuel, like charcoal and wood. It burns cleaner and keeps the fire going longer. Another option is to use a sustainably-produced charcoal.

Rideshare

Encourage your guests to carpool so they save gas. Try to coordinate rideshares by offering to connect your guests with others who might be able to drive them. Invite them to come over in the evening so you don’t feel obligated to leave the air conditioner on all day.

Fireworks with Nitrogen

Everybody loves a good fireworks show. If you’re putting on a private pyrotechnic presentation in your backyard, look for fireworks that have a lot of nitrogen. While these cost more than typical lead-producing fireworks, they don’t produce nearly as much smoke. Better yet, skip the home show and go to a nearby public show. Do you want to do more? Have a chat with your local fire marshal about using more eco-friendly, cleaner-burning fireworks, such as Sekon biodegradable fireworks.

Recycle Your Leftovers

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), only 21.1 percent of aluminum was recycled in 2010. Do your part and recycle all of your soda cans and beer bottles. On a holiday, it’s easy to get caught in a cycle of convenience where you don’t take the time to find the proper receptacle or recycling facility. If you have a great deal of food left over after the party, don’t stick them in your fridge if you don’t think you’ll eat them. Instead, pack them up in a freezer bag or two and drop them off at your local Homeless Shelter.

The Day After

Are you a do-gooder? See if your friends will help you during the much lesser-known holiday called the Fifth of July, also known as Look at All That Trash on the Ground Everywhere Day. Organize a group of volunteers to pick up the litter that accumulated during the holiday’s local festivities at your local park or beach. You’ll be saving your town council money that they would have spent sending out a cleanup crew. 

With a moderate amount of planning and a closer eye to detail, you can reduce your carbon footprint on the Fourth of July, and every other day of the year, with just a few simple steps.