An Earth Day Birthday

For daughter’s birthday this year, the theme is Earth Day. In the spirit of being green, I am trying to make it as eco-friendly as possible.

Step 1: Paperless invitations. Evite was a quick and easy way to send out invites to the guests with zero waste. I also didn’t have to worry about hand-writing them, mailing labels, money on stamps, licking envelopes, etc.

Step 2: Letting guests know they didn’t need to bring presents. Really, does she need any new toys? Not really. I actually prefer getting her toys at a resale shop.

Step 3: Telling guests if they do bring gifts, to wrap them in previously-used paper or gift bags. Ugghh…I get a stomache seeing the garbage bag of wrapping paper after a party. And usually it goes in the trash! Ughhh!

Step 4: Not using typical disposable plates, cups, and utensils. Here’s where I’m struggling. Because more guests are coming than I have every day plates, glasses, etc. for, I will need to use something in the realm of disposable. I went to Whole Foods and found a line of very cool plates and utensils made from takeout containers, wheat, and other plants. They are also completely biodegradable. I bought them, excited they wouldn’t end up sitting in a landfill. That is, until I remembered I don’t have a compost bin. Without one, the plates would still end up in a landfill. Back to the store I went. This time I bought cups that can be recycled and plates and utensils that can be washed in the dishwasher and reused. I will also be setting out real plates, metal utensils, and glasses for those guests that prefer to use them, such as myself.

Step 5: For party favors, I didn’t want to buy a bunch of junky toys that the kids would play with once and throw away. Instead, I bought seed packets as well as gummy worms to fit the earth theme.

So we’ll see how this Earth Day Birthday goes. If you have ideas for cutting down on party waste, leave a comment.