With the Fourth falling on a long holiday weekend, it’s even more important that our celebrations are environmentally friendly.
- Skip the disposable plastic.
Use glass or paper cups and plates, and bamboo utensils. If you must use plastic, check the bottom for the “recycle” seal to make sure they can go in your bin without contaminating other recyclables.
- Think big.
Large containers of water and juice consume much less plastic than individual servings in plastic or plastic-coated juice boxes.
- Mark it up.
Even with one large serving container, you’ll need individual cups. Bring a marker to put names on individual cups so each person just uses one for the entire day.
- Recycle what you can.
If you can’t avoid disposable plastic utensils and drink containers, you’ll want to recycle items like water bottles and soda cans. Plan in advance to bring a separate sack for recyclable materials.
- Check out your charcoal.
Not all fires are created equal. Traditional briquettes are made with petroleum products that cause pollution and emit greenhouse gases. Look for charcoal that doesn’t contain coal, oil or other petroleum products, or grill with propane.
- Watch out for birds.
If you’re planning a trip to the beach, watch out for birds. Many species are nesting directly on sand now and they’re practically invisible unless you look carefully. Even better, volunteer to be a bird steward with Audubon. They’ll be out in force over a long holiday weekend, but they can always use extra assistance.
Nix toxic sunscreens.
The ingredients in about 70% of sunscreens sold in the U.S. are toxic to corals, fish and shellfish, even in incredibly low concentrations. Look for sunscreens made with non-nano zinc or titanium dioxide.
- Pick it up.
We know Bay Soundings readers would never consider littering, but this year plan on picking up behind other people. We’ve all seen the photos of totally trashed beaches and parks after holiday weekends – do more than your part and take other people’s trash home instead of leaving it to harm wildlife.
- Make it a game.
If your group includes kids, consider setting up a scavenger hunt with prizes for kids. Google “trash scavenger hunt” for lots of cool ideas for different ages.
- Fireworks
Save money and the environment and share you fireworks with your neighbors. Fireworks create pollution and even environmentally friendly fireworks frighten wildlife, including birds who are nesting during summer months.