There are a lot of summer birthdays in my family, so I always associate summer with birthdays. I’m still at an age where I find my birthday exciting—you get to eat cake, receive presents and feel like a star!
However, birthday celebrations aren’t the best for the environment. Just think of all the waste from decorations, wrapping paper, leftover food and unwanted presents …
Here are some ways to celebrate birthdays more sustainably, whether you’re planning a party for children or adults (or attending as a guest)!
Go paperless with invitations
You don’t need to send physical invitations. This uses unnecessary paper, and chances are people won’t hang on to the invites for long anyways.
Instead, send invitations by email or message. You can use a free design software like Canva to whip up pretty electronic invites.
Green your decorations
Though your immediate thought may be to decorate with classic (single-use) birthday items like balloons and streamers, it doesn’t have to be this way!
Look for quality decorations that you can reuse at multiple celebrations. You may find these among items you already own, at thrift stores or party stores, or among your circle of friends. Think funky bowls and glasses, art pieces and reusable pennant banners.
You could also consider making your own decorations or decorating with natural elements like leaves and flowers.
Pick your presents carefully
Opening presents is the high point of many birthday celebrations. However, how many times have you received a present that you didn’t actually want? Being intentional about presents helps prevent waste and ensure that everyone is happy!
A couple things you can do are gift a practical item (you could even ask the person what they need or want!) and look for sustainable gifts, such as ones made of bamboo or cotton or wrapped in minimal packaging.
If you’re the person planning the party, you could also tell guests not to bring presents or request that they make a donation to your favourite charity.
Wrap presents sustainably
Wrapping presents is another area that can generate a lot of waste. Try wrapping presents with old materials that you already have, like fabric or newspaper. Gift bags are another option that can be used multiple times without getting damaged.
If you are using wrapping paper, look for recyclable wrapping paper that’s made entirely of paper and does not contain glitter or plastic. If you open presents carefully, you can also reuse wrapping paper a few times before recycling it!
Serve up sustainability
Especially if you’re feeding a large crowd, it can be easy to default to using disposable plates and utensils. However, the gold standard is to use reusable plates, cups and cutlery. You can also use reusable tablecloths and napkins, which can be easily tossed in the laundry.
If you don’t have enough dishes, you could consider renting some or borrowing from friends. You could also invest in a special party set—these can be cheap items from a thrift store!
If worse comes to worse, look for disposable dishes that are either recyclable or compostable.
Offer eco-friendly eats
What’s a birthday party without cake and other snacks? If you have the time and energy, making your own food allows you to control exactly what goes in. Look for ingredients that are healthy, organic, low waste and plant based. A birthday celebration is a good time to try cooking vegetarian or even doing some vegan baking. If you won’t be cooking yourself, make sure to support a local bakery or sustainable caterer.
When it comes to birthday candles, look for beeswax candles instead of traditional candles made of petroleum-based paraffin.
Think as well about portion size. People often don’t eat as much as we expect! You can also send guests home with leftovers to prevent food waste.
Sustainable birthday celebrations
Many people would say that their birthday is their favourite day of the year. Presents, cake, and time with friends and family make this day extra special. If you’re not careful, some of these elements can also make the day extra wasteful. Follow some of these tips to host a birthday party that’s good for you and good for the planet!
I want to know: How do you celebrate birthdays in an eco-friendly way?
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