
Hosting a 4th of July party? There are several ways to make your 4th of July earth-friendly. When it comes to hosting a more sustainable summer party, it’s best to think about your menu, dishware, and how to dispose of food scraps.
Here at Neighborhood Compost, we believe in celebrating the flavors of summer! And we’ve come up with some great ideas on how to host a sustainable 4th of July party. Read on to learn more about how to implement some eco-friendly party ideas for Independence Day.
Use Reusable Dishware
One easy way to reduce your carbon footprint for parties of any kind is to use reusable dishware. Using dishware you already own is the most eco-friendly practice, and it’s the perfect option if you’re having a small 4th of July party with family and friends.
Paper plates and even dishware advertised to be compost-friendly are actually not very eco-friendly and can take years to break down in landfills. By using your own dishware, you can keep unnecessary waste out of landfills and make your 4th of July red, white, blue, AND green.
Opt for Vegetarian Foods

Although burgers and hot dogs are a 4th of July menu staple, these are not very eco-friendly food options. For example, it takes 7.9 kg of CO2 to produce 2.2 pounds of pig meat for a package of hot dogs. This is equal to driving 18 miles.
Not to worry, you can still have some of your favorite summer foods without the carbon footprint!
Select plant-based options for your 4th of July party. Instead of a beef burger, you can opt for a plant-based burger, which has 98% less greenhouse gas emissions.
Schedule a Compost Pick-Up Service
After you’ve enjoyed all the delicious 4th of July foods, it’s time for clean up. Instead of throwing your leftovers in the garbage, you can ask friends and family to take some home with them. You can also schedule a compost pick-up service to take your food scraps for local composting.
Neighborhood Compost offers monthly, weekly, bi-weekly, and on-demand compost pick-up services. This is ideal for summer parties, especially when you need to feed several guests. Set aside food scraps, bones, uneaten leftovers, and more in a compost bucket. We’ll come pick it up for you!
Attend a Local Fireworks Show
Fireworks emit a significant amount of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. According to Tree Hugger, fireworks are responsible for around 60,340 metric tons of CO2 every year in the United States. Plus they release tons of toxins into the soil and water.
That said, we recognize that fireworks are an important tradition for Independence Day. And Neighborhood Compost is all about progress, not perfection!
Instead of having your own at-home fireworks show, you can attend a local fireworks display. This way, you can enjoy the splendor of a professional fireworks show in your area without adding to the carbon footprint.
Have Fun!
Ultimately, there are several steps you can take to reduce your carbon footprint for the 4th of July. And they’re relatively easy, too! If you’re looking to be more environmentally friendly for summer gatherings, opt for compostable dishware and serve more vegetarian options.
You can also try using a composting pick-up service and attending local fireworks shows instead of doing them at home.
If you’d like to learn more about our composting services, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us to find out about our compost pick-up options or sign up today.
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