If you celebrate 4th of July, and you’re here at this blog, there’s a good chance you’d like your celebration to be green. The 4th is a tough one because the mainstay of this holiday, fireworks, have yet to be made eco-friendly, at least not to the general public. Some movies and major events do use a more eco-friendly firework method, but that’s not going to help you at home.
If you want to tackle the firework issue, talk to city officials about shortening the display, which cuts down on some of the air pollution created. You can also skip the home fireworks. Sparklers, poppers, and other home fireworks are not only NOT made green, but come in loads of packaging. You’re better off not lighting any at home.
Fireworks aside, you can green up the holiday in other ways. Here’s how…
Green your barbecue. We’ve already seen many tips about this here before. Read up on the topic at the following posts:
- Throw a green summer picnic
- How to choose the best green grill – eco-friendly barbecue
- Green Barbecue Accessories
- How Earth Friendly is Your Backyard Barbecue?
Use eco-friendly bug spray to ward off nighttime critters. In the early evening, while you’re sitting there watching the fireworks, bugs can attack. Be prepared with some safer, non-toxic bug repellent.
Green your drinks. Water in reusable bottles, real cups at picnics, organic juices, and even organic beer are all ways to drink a little greener on the 4th.
Clean up! The 4th of July creates a trash situation unlike any other. The day after the holiday volunteer to help clean up the community. Pick up wrappers, junk, and water bottles (that the less eco-savvy people left behind), and make sure your community looks like it did before the 4th arrived.