| With streamers, packaging and highly processed | | | | such as bamboo. You may also consider |
| foods, a birthday party can leave quite a carbon | | | | biodegradable, disposable serveware. These |
| footprint. Introducing some of these ideas and | | | | options are just as festive as the paper plates |
| alternatives into your child's next birthday party is | | | | you've had before, but you'll get use out of them |
| like a gift to both your child and the environment. | | | | again and again. |
| 1. Limit your guest list for an intimate and | | | | 4. Send electronic or recycled invitations. Use free, |
| meaningful party. Minimize materials and travel | | | | web-based invitation services such as Evite to |
| time by only inviting those closest to you. If | | | | send invitations through email. You can customize |
| possible, see if your guests can carpool or take | | | | your invites any way you like and it's easy to |
| public transportation. | | | | manage your guest responses. If email is not an |
| 2. Serve homemade food and drinks. Keep | | | | option, consider using recycled paper or cards. |
| packaging at a minimum by making as many | | | | 5. Give eco-friendly favors. Rather than distributing |
| party eats at home as possible. For things you still | | | | inexpensive toys as party favors that will be |
| need to buy such as chips or beverages, try to | | | | quickly forgotten, consider green party activities |
| purchase in large quantities to cut down on | | | | that enable guests to take home their creations. |
| packaging materials. | | | | For example, hosting a birthday party at a bead |
| 3. Serve on reusable dishware. There's no need to | | | | store, your guests can leave with recycled bead |
| break out your fine china, but there are very | | | | jewelry they made themselves. |
| attractive reusable options made from materials | | | | |