Enjoy the sunny outdoors and beautiful blue skies as you relax this Memorial Day weekend with friends, family, co-workers and neighbors!
2. Avoid decorations that are going to be thrown away at the end of the evening. Use what you already have, borrow decorations or decorate sparsely.
3. Use cloth tablecloths and napkins, durable plates, utensils and cups when possible. A great way to preserve our beautiful country.
4. When using disposable items, do it wisely. Look for products made from recycled or biodegradable materials. They are usually available in the same paper plate aisle of your grocery store.
5. Be a Sharpie About Reducing Disposable Cups! Keep a black marker next to the disposable cups so guests can write their names on them to help remember and for bigger crowds it offers an ice breaker introduction in case a guest met a lot of new people that day.
6. Make recycling easy, have clearly marked bins so people can easily put recyclables where they belong. Take photos on your phone of the common reuse (wash), reduce (disposable/trash), and recycle items for clear labels on bins for what goes where.
7. A great way to host an Eco-friendly barbecue is to make sure you’re not wasting electricity inside when everyone is outside, never overlook the obvious. Turn off all the unnecessary lights and appliances in your home before you head out the door.
8. Most Importantly, don’t be the green, preachy police. Enjoy your event and do the best you can, but if someone uses two plastic cups, get over it.
Grill Like A Champion: If you need to buy a new grill for the occasion, choose propane over charcoal. Charcoal releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs) when burned as well as over 100 times more carbon monoxide than propane.
Traditional lighter fluids used on charcoal grills are also fairly nasty for the planet. If you do grill with charcoal, you can reduce it’s Eco-impact by purchasing briquettes made locally from sustainable and recycled wood scraps.
Green Grub: Choose local or organic foods whenever possible. Shop for fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy products at your local farmers market for amazingly delicious and unique appetizers for your friends and family.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with some vegetarian selections such as grilled tofu, vegetable kabobs, soy dogs or veggie burgers to reduce the meal’s environmental footprint. Can’t beat the meat, well then go big and go home with a large portion of local, sustainable and ethically raised animals for a healthier option with a delicious, fresh taste.
Organic wine or local beer choices diversify your beverage selection in a sustainable way. By reducing the miles that the beverages have traveled to reach you, you’ll be conserving fuel and reducing green house gas emissions.
XStation Playbox: Summer BBQs are all about relaxed, outdoor fun, so leave the battery operated toys behind and make sure you have plenty of balls, Frisbees, hula hoops, butterfly nets, buckets and bubbles (1/2 cup eco-friendly dish soap, 1 1/4 cup water, and 2 tsp sugar) for kids to play with.
Remembering Memorial Day: Formerly known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died. By the 20th century Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died while in the military services.
Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, particularly to honor those who have died in military service. Many volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries.
Memorial Day is easily confused with Veterans Day, but Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving, while Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans, living or dead. Be kind to those who serve our country and take time to reflect on those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect our core ideas and way of life. It also typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.
Have a memorable, safe, and fun Memorial Day!
