- Here are some tips on how to have a healthier and greener 4th of July to celebrate being Americans. This year is different as most of us will celebrate at home with our beloved ones who live with us at home.
- 1. Please recycle: Look, sort things before dumping all in a garbage bag. 75% of our trash can be recycled. By recycling after your 4th of July party, you will help reduce the need for landfills and conserve natural resources, such as trees, minerals, oil, and water. That is a huge step to make it a greener 4th of July.
- 2. Reduce the amount of pollution released into the air we breathe: Limit your BBQ grilling or bake. You can also invest in a green BBQ. A propane BBQ is a good option too.
- 3. Buy American: Show your pride in our country. Whether its decorations or food, just check the label. If you look closely you will find more American items than you realized.
- 4. Use regular tableware if possible: Try to avoid the disposable party ware. If you do, get some sustainable plates.
- 5. Entertain your family in the evening when it is cooler: Entertain outside for sure. You will avoid using the AC that way and save energy.
- 6. Use glass bottles: Avoid plastic ones. Store water for your guests in large bottles.
- 7. Don’t buy sodas: Make delicious lemon infused waters instead.
- 8. Serve local: Buy organic foods and support your farmers.
- 9. Make your own healthy meals: Get your Omega-3s and opt for baked or grilled wild Alaskan salmon instead of red meat. If you plan to grill corn, please make sure it is organic.
- Make your heart happy, and skip the whipping cream and sponge cake. Enjoy a fresh bowl of organic berries instead. Sprinkle some chia seeds and organic coconut flakes on the berries.
- 9. Fireworks: It is best to avid them this year, if you must watch form your car.
- HAVE A SAFE AND GREENER 4TH OF JULY !
- Some basic facts:
- If every household in the U.S. reused a shopping paper bag for their 4th of July shopping trip, about 60,000 trees would be saved. How cool would that be?
- Recycle all your cans on the 4th of July: as an aluminum can recycled, will make its way back on the grocery shelf in approximately 90 days.
- Recycle your mayonnaise and ketchup glass jars: as recycled glass generates 20% less air pollution and 50% less water pollution than making virgin glass.
- Making glass from recycled material uses 50% less energy than making virgin glass. Glass never wears out – it can be recycled over and over again. Did you know that over 41 billion glass containers are made each year?
- Please be good to your community: as recycling can generates jobs and revenue. In this economy it matters even more.
- All of us have recycling bins: please recycle.
- Earth911 Recycling Database
- Recycled Plastics Product Directory
- For a lemon infused water recipe.
- For a wild salmon recipe.
- For more on berries and heart health.
