You do not have to be Irish to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, the “greenest” day of the year. This year, Waste Management of Southern California has a few tips that will help make your St. Paddy’s Day greener than ever.
“There is no shortage of ways to cut down on wastefulness,” said Eloisa Orozco, spokesperson for Waste Management of Southern California. “With St. Patrick’s Day fast approaching, now is the best time to start making green choices for an environmentally friendly celebration. If each of us took a few small steps to reduce the waste we produce or increase the amount of materials we recycle, we would make a significant impact on the amount of material, energy and landfill space saved.”
The good news is that with a bit of creativity and a little know-how, you can enjoy a fun, festive affair without it taking a significant toll on the environment. The following are easy ways for you to be green, both in celebration and in practice:
– Wear your green pride and avoid pinching your wallet. Celebrate your festive spirit by opting to make your St. Patrick’s Day outfit from reusable or recycled materials. You can also save money and take part in the reuse cycle by finding the perfect green style at a local used clothing store.
– Do not be a litterbug at the St. Paddy’s Day parade. Many cities across the nation host St. Patrick’s Day parades and spend hours cleaning up after the event. This year, make it a point to clean up after yourself and if you see any recyclable items left behind please put them in the proper receptacle.
– Skip the paper invitations. Save a tree or two by sending an electronic invitation, creating an event on social media or even simply pick-up the phone and invite your friends and family.
– Wish friends and family luck by giving them a potted shamrock. These plants flourish indoors and will help keep the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day alive all year long.
– Bike, walk, or carpool to the party. Walking, biking, taking a bus, or picking up friends along the way to your celebration are great ways to reduce energy and save green in your wallet too.
– Decorate your St. Patrick’s Day party with reusable decorations. Because this event occurs every year, consider purchasing reusable decorations, rather than those that are designed to be thrown away after one use.
– Buy recycled materials and make personalized cups. If you insist on using disposable glassware, buy the kind made from recycled or sustainable materials. Also, you can help avoid mistaken and lost cup issues and cut down on waste by having a few Sharpie pens available for people to personalize their cups.
– Try a new twist to your traditional corned beef and cabbage meal. Purchase locally grown and packaged beef, cabbage, and potatoes when possible and compost all leftover cabbage and potato peels.
