3 ways to stay green this red, white and blue weekend
Our Queen will celebrate her Platinum Jubilee this week and more than 10 million people across the UK are expected to celebrate over the 4-day bank holiday weekend. Are you planning a Platinum party? From sunny street gatherings to late-night pub openings, many of us will be joining in on the fun. But it’s important to be mindful of the environment and keep celebrations sustainable as we mark the special occasion.
Here are some handy tips for doing just that…
Tip #1: Choose eco-friendly tableware and decorations
The sun is out and it’s the perfect opportunity to spend time with friends and family over good food and drink. However, even if all the food is eaten, putting on a great spread can result in a whole lot of waste.
The culprit? More often than not… tableware! Wooden cutlery, cardboard plates and paper napkins will likely all end up in the bin just a few hours after being unwrapped. So instead, opt for reusable alternatives wherever possible to cut down on waste that will eventually end up in landfill.
Thought about decorations yet?
You’ll have likely spotted an abundance of red, white and blue décor in the shops (how much union jack bunting have you spied?!). And whilst it certainly helps set the scene, much of this is plastic with a single-use lifespan. Why not pick designs that can be used for other events too? More generic colourful banners and balloons will still bring plenty of life to your event but can be rolled out again for many parties to come.
Even better, you could try your hand at making your own decorations. Find fabric in charity shops and make your own bunting, or get little ones involved in an arts and crafts afternoon!
Tip #2: Keep things local
Another great way to reduce environmental impact is to celebrate locally. The UK will be filled with neighbourhood parties and back garden celebrations, so there should be no shortage of invites near home!
A few eco-friendly benefits of staying local are:
· You can support local businesses by shopping with them for food and decorations
· Pollution is reduced when you choose a party location that guests can walk to
· If you forget something, you can pop back home rather than buying something new
Tip #3: As always… reduce, reuse, recycle
Here are some ways to reduce waste this weekend:
· As mentioned above, reuse decorations at the next celebration
· Send everyone home with food leftovers – make sure no one leaves empty handed!
· Wherever you are, designate separate bins for waste and recycling
If you still have rubbish to get rid of, we can help. Our recycling services include:
• Dry mixed wheeled containers
• Glass recycling containers
• Skips available in 5 different sizes
We’re committed to reducing the impact that waste has on our environment, and divert 98% of waste away from landfill at our Materials Recovery Facility.
Contact us today to find out more about any of our services.
