The Fourth of July doesn’t usually conjure up images of eco-friendliness, but that doesn’t mean you can’t try to be as free and sustainable as possible on this day that celebrates America’s independence. From celebrations to cooking, here are some eco-friendly Fourth of July tips. Remember, keep it red, white, and blue. and green.
Eco-Friendly 4th of July Ideas
Nothing conveys national pride quite like your country’s flag. In this case, there’s actually a way to combine proper flag etiquette with good old green Fourth of July. Life. How? You ask. Instead of lighting the flag after dark (following proper flag guidelines), why not lower the flag at night, eliminating the need for a power light? This practice can also serve as a daily reminder of all the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. Next, celebrate that freedom!
Celebrate freedom
To avoid carbon emissions from long distance travel, keep your celebration close by. If you can get there by public transportation, bike, or walk, that’s even better. As an added bonus, staying close to home means you can avoid traffic!
Almost all Fourth of July celebrations, including fireworks, grills, and pool parties, take place outdoors. And with outdoors comes – you guessed it – bugs. Why not try using an eco-friendly bug repellent to keep the bugs at bay? Here are some ideas.
Wherever you go, be sure to pack a reusable tote bag or two to carry with you or to store your collected items while you’re out and about.
The mistress with the least
If you are hosting a Fourth of July celebration, consider recycling other holiday decorations. This eco-friendly practice is valuable all year long. Who said you can only use white holiday lights in December? Look for other opportunities around your home. Displaying flowers or serving fruits and vegetables from your garden can also help reduce waste.
Continuing with the hosting theme, here are some other eco-friendly 4th of July options to consider when it comes to food:
Happy Independence Day from all of us at Earth911!
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on June 23, 2016 and was updated in June 2024.
