Looking forward to celebrating everything that is green this St. Patrick’s Day? So are we! There is a great guide to St. Patty’s Day in NYC from Time Out New York, but if you are looking to create your own fun, use these 6 tips for turning your green-colored holiday bash into a truly green, eco-friendly celebration.
6 Tips for an Eco-Friendly St. Patrick’s Day Party
Buy Local
Nothing says “Happy St. Patty’s Day” more than a corned beef dinner. If you are keeping with this U.S. tradition (corned beef is not really traditional Irish cuisine), buy organic beef from a local grass fed grower and then head to your farmers’ market for additional meal staples such as potatoes, cabbage, and other seasonal vegetables. You can ditch the corned beef completely and make this delicious Vegan Shepherd’s Pie.
Cheers!
Replace the artificially colored green beer with more eco-friendly options such as those brewed by New Belgium Brewery, whose operations are more than 70 percent wind-powered. For more great American organic beer selections, check out this list from Mother Nature Network. You may want to consider having a signature cocktail like this delicious Irish coffee made with your favorite eco-friendly coffee and organic whiskey like those offered by KOVAL who sources all of their grains from organic Midwestern farms.
BYOP
Have party guests BYOP—Bring Your Own Plate—to cut down on wasted paper plates and flatware. If you do opt for disposable tableware, look for eco-friendly, biodegradable options. Party City has a great selection of “Eco Party” products that come in numerous colors (green!) and include everything you would need from plates to flatware to cups.
Really Wear Green
While it is all about the color of green, take this idea one step further and encourage guests to wear eco-friendly clothing. Look for clothing that is made from organic materials and uses sustainable dyes like these options from Patagonia. The best way to show your true green self? Wear clothing you already have—even a dot of green on a sock or sleeve will keep you in the holiday spirit.
Green Listening
A great playlist makes a great party and for your St. Patrick’s Day celebration, create a playlist that includes traditional Celtic favorites as well as some additional “green musicians”, artists who promote a message of sustainability while also producing music that people love. Checkout our list of green music options to get you started.
Make It Easy for Others to Cleanup
Make sure there are trash receptacles and recycling bins located in areas where disposables will be used such as the bar and buffet. Double- or triple-line the trash cans, so there is always a clean bag once a full bag is removed. This will help minimize your after party cleanup. Still dreading the clean up once the party is over? Give us a call for our post-party cleaning services.
Talk to us: What are you doing to celebrate being “green” this St. Patrick’s Day?
image courtesy of flickr CC/Gioia De Antoniis