REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE: HOW TO HOST A BEAUTIFUL, LOW-WASTE EVENT!
We all want our events to be a memorable experience. From the moment a guest receives their invitation, through to the end of the celebration. But how do we do so without costing the earth? For all of the tips, tricks and inspiration when it comes to sustainable parties, this 'Reduce, Reuse and Recycle' article provides you with absolutely EVERYTHING you need to know to pull off an amazing (eco) event that everyone will love!
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Related: Eco Gifts
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Check Out Our Favourite Eco Party Ideas on Etsy
Eco-Friendly Party Planning Tips
Reducing your environmental impact doesn't mean sacrificing 'wow' factor at your event. The following tips will help you create an amazing celebration, with all the beauty - minus the amount of waste!
The Invitations
GO DIGITAL
Send them out via Facebook or email. Not only a great way to save money, but also an easy way to reduce your volume of waste.
GO DIGITAL
Send them out via Facebook or email. Not only a great way to save money, but also an easy way to reduce your volume of waste.
PHYSICAL CARDS (WITH LESS IMPACT)
Send out invites called 'seeded cards' (also known as 'plantable cards'). These wonderful items are created using recycled paper and embedded seeds.
The lucky people receiving them can keep the info on their fridge until the event is over, then plant their invitations in the ground and watch their flowers grow (what a special, lasting memory of good times had!).
RECYCLABLE ITEMS
And finally, you can print physical invitations onto recycled paper or card and deliver to your wonderful guests.
If you need a little help with the overall design, online boutiques (such as the examples pictured below) offer editable stationary and event printables. This means your invites (and itineraries and/or games, for example) will all match and look incredible - with ease!
As such products are downloadable, you can also decide later whether to email a PDF copy to guests once they have been created, or print them off onto recycled paper/card.
Try Not to Buy
Before purchasing, ask yourself: "Is this something I really need to buy?"
If you answered 'yes', think of the following:
Can you hire the product from a local event business? Or can you borrow the product from friends/family?
Good examples of items that can be hired (or borrowed) include tablecloths, chair covers, tables, chairs, cloth napkins, centrepieces, plates, bowls, cutlery, decorations, dessert tiers and lighting.
For something a bit 'extra', you can even hire items such as karaoke machines and portable heaters!
If you answered 'yes', think of the following:
Can you hire the product from a local event business? Or can you borrow the product from friends/family?
Good examples of items that can be hired (or borrowed) include tablecloths, chair covers, tables, chairs, cloth napkins, centrepieces, plates, bowls, cutlery, decorations, dessert tiers and lighting.
For something a bit 'extra', you can even hire items such as karaoke machines and portable heaters!
Purchase Second-Hand
Antique stores, op shops and garage sales are full of amazing treasures just waiting for a new purpose! You won't believe the unique items that are just PERFECT for your celebration.
And if you don't have a use for the item/s following your event? Take them back to the op shop for others to enjoy.
And if you don't have a use for the item/s following your event? Take them back to the op shop for others to enjoy.
Find Reusable Alternatives
A great way to avoid new landfill is to swap out single use items for sustainable options.
For example, if you're hosting an event at home, ditch the plastic utensils and opt for reusable cups, cutlery, napkins and plates instead. They will not only look nicer, but can also be washed, stored and used again in the future.
Don't want to use your personal set for fear of breakage? Thrift stores are once again a great place to stock up on dining items that can be kept for parties alone. Mason jars are also a fun alternative to cups (cocktails look amazing when served this way).
If you like using straws, switch plastic for the reusable kind. Bamboo or stainless steel varieties can either be kept for use at home/future events, or gifted to guests as favours - encouraging eco-living long after your celebration!
Handy Tip:
If you would prefer to go down the disposable track, biodegradable or compostable products (such as plates, cups and cutlery) can be purchased from some online retailers. Just be sure to disposed of them correctly following the celebration.
For example, if you're hosting an event at home, ditch the plastic utensils and opt for reusable cups, cutlery, napkins and plates instead. They will not only look nicer, but can also be washed, stored and used again in the future.
Don't want to use your personal set for fear of breakage? Thrift stores are once again a great place to stock up on dining items that can be kept for parties alone. Mason jars are also a fun alternative to cups (cocktails look amazing when served this way).
If you like using straws, switch plastic for the reusable kind. Bamboo or stainless steel varieties can either be kept for use at home/future events, or gifted to guests as favours - encouraging eco-living long after your celebration!
Handy Tip:
If you would prefer to go down the disposable track, biodegradable or compostable products (such as plates, cups and cutlery) can be purchased from some online retailers. Just be sure to disposed of them correctly following the celebration.
Cleaning for a Healthy Environment
We all want our homes to look incredible when hosting a party, but most cleaning products for sale contain harsh chemicals. Keep it clean instead by using natural, organic products instead (they do the job, smell amazing and won't fill your house with nasties!).
Related: Before Party Cleaning
Related: After Party Cleaning
Related: Before Party Cleaning
Related: After Party Cleaning
Decorate Your Venue in Style
When it comes to decorations, sometimes less really is more. BUT if you love to set the scene (as I do) consider crafting your own décor from materials that can be reused at later events. Some examples include fabric bunting, fabric tablecloths, plants and natural resources such as logs.
It can also be fun to incorporate unique items (such as large, antique mirrors or stunning, rustic tables) that can be found in local op-shops, online marketplaces, and antique stores. Choose your buying platform depending on how much you're prepared to pay.
Flowers are an easy and stylish way to add a pop of colour to your venue. Whilst leaves are a budget-friendly option that have a knack for adding instant warmth to any location.
Large and small bunches of flowers and/or leaves can be displayed in vases or mason jars - creating a beautiful and seamless look.
And last but not least, natural confetti is a great way to add some 'wow' factor to your day! It can be used to create pathways, table runners, and so much more. Click here for decorating ideas.
Related: Eco-Friendly Décor Ideas
Related: Decorating with Flowers
It can also be fun to incorporate unique items (such as large, antique mirrors or stunning, rustic tables) that can be found in local op-shops, online marketplaces, and antique stores. Choose your buying platform depending on how much you're prepared to pay.
Flowers are an easy and stylish way to add a pop of colour to your venue. Whilst leaves are a budget-friendly option that have a knack for adding instant warmth to any location.
Large and small bunches of flowers and/or leaves can be displayed in vases or mason jars - creating a beautiful and seamless look.
And last but not least, natural confetti is a great way to add some 'wow' factor to your day! It can be used to create pathways, table runners, and so much more. Click here for decorating ideas.
Related: Eco-Friendly Décor Ideas
Related: Decorating with Flowers
Dispose of Everything Appropriately
The proper disposal of household waste, food waste and recyclables is important. To make this process easier, set up (labelled) bins for your guests to use. Recyclables, rubbish, soft plastic (which can be recycled at most large grocery stores around Australia) and organic waste are all great options to have.
Favours
It's always fun to gift your guests a little something special at the end of an event. Bur rather than offering favours that will just add to the waste stream, why not go for eco-products that are both meaningful and useful? You can find some great ideas by clicking here.
Related: Eco Gifts
Related: Eco Gifts
Games
Choose games that don't need a lot of items to play. Often, these little bits and pieces are used once and then thrown away; so avoiding them altogether is a great starting point.
Our printable range, for example, only requires pens/pencils to play (and they can be printed onto recycled or seeded paper as mentioned at the beginning of this article!). We have also partnered with 'One Tree Planted' meaning, at no extra cost to you, our game cards and signs contribute to trees being planted around Australia and the world (making a positive impact on nature, wildlife and people).
Related: Sustainability & For Every Hen
Our printable range, for example, only requires pens/pencils to play (and they can be printed onto recycled or seeded paper as mentioned at the beginning of this article!). We have also partnered with 'One Tree Planted' meaning, at no extra cost to you, our game cards and signs contribute to trees being planted around Australia and the world (making a positive impact on nature, wildlife and people).
Related: Sustainability & For Every Hen
Food
Serve your nibbles and treats on reusable platters and/or chopping boards (grazing platters are very trendy these days!). Getting creative with the spread itself is also a fun way to reduce waste (for example, watermelon shells make for great fruit salad bowls).
Try to use fresh fruits and vegetables at your celebration as they're less likely to be plastic wrapped.
Dispose of any card or plastic packaging thoughtfully (i.e. recycle cardboards and hard plastics, place leftover food items in the compost bin, recycle your soft plastic, etc.).
Related: Sustainable Ways to Serve Food & Drink
Try to use fresh fruits and vegetables at your celebration as they're less likely to be plastic wrapped.
Dispose of any card or plastic packaging thoughtfully (i.e. recycle cardboards and hard plastics, place leftover food items in the compost bin, recycle your soft plastic, etc.).
Related: Sustainable Ways to Serve Food & Drink
And When You Do Purchase New Products...
Think it Through
When you host a great deal of events, hiring can become expensive. If this is the case for you, save some coin by investing in reusable party items such as cloth napkins, tablecloths, cutlery, dinnerware, glasses, etc. These can be used over and over again at the different celebrations you host.
When you do decide to purchase, make sure it is something you will be able to re-use and not just an item that will end up as landfill (so it's a good idea to consider each purchase rather than buying on a whim!).
When you do decide to purchase, make sure it is something you will be able to re-use and not just an item that will end up as landfill (so it's a good idea to consider each purchase rather than buying on a whim!).
Opt for Eco-Shops Whenever Possible
Purchasing brand new whilst sticking to your values is possible! Keep an eye out for shops who pride themselves on their sustainability.
Articles Related to These Eco-Party Ideas
That's All of Our 'Reduce, Reuse, Recycle' Tips... For Now!
Old items upcycled to create new and exciting décor, reusable water bottles and glasses, hiring or borrowing rather than purchasing new items; when it comes to it, there really are so many ways to produce less waste at your celebration. And this waste reduction is not only great for the environment, but also your back pocket. I mean, who doesn't love saving some cash when planning an event?
But that's not even the best bit.
Limiting your amount of trash doesn't mean compromising the overall 'look' and 'feel' of your party. Quite the opposite actually. Simply follow the tips in this article (and throughout our website) and the results will be stylish and incredibly memorable.
From If you have any ideas that aren't on the list, please don't hesitate to share them below or via our socials (AUS Facebook Group | Worldwide Facebook Group | Pinterest).
Cheers to a beautiful, fun and eco-friendly party!
Much love, keep smiling - Bec x
But that's not even the best bit.
Limiting your amount of trash doesn't mean compromising the overall 'look' and 'feel' of your party. Quite the opposite actually. Simply follow the tips in this article (and throughout our website) and the results will be stylish and incredibly memorable.
From If you have any ideas that aren't on the list, please don't hesitate to share them below or via our socials (AUS Facebook Group | Worldwide Facebook Group | Pinterest).
Cheers to a beautiful, fun and eco-friendly party!
Much love, keep smiling - Bec x
P.S. THE BELOW IMAGE IS PERFECT FOR PINTEREST... GO ON & SHARE THESE AWESOME 'REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE' TIPS - YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO! :-)
