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The New Year signifies new beginnings. Why not, perhaps we could consider giving sustainability a fresh start as well.
For me, being an eco-friendly person, every celebration is an opportunity to go green. From Christmas to Halloween, and even the 4th of July, I try to celebrate every occasion in a sustainable way. The New Year is no exception!
This is why I have some very simple but impactful ideas to help you make a more sustainable New Year celebration this time.
1. Choose Eco-Friendly Invitations
A simple switch I always make when throwing ANY event is utilizing eco-friendly invitations. Recently, for my cousin’s birthday party, I picked a digital invitation.
It saved time, money, and paper. And they are really customizable too! For example, there are even apps like Canva to create digital invitations yourself. It has a template within (just edit the text).
If you still want them physically in hand, check out recycled paper or plantable seed paper invites. This way, guests can plant them in the garden after the party and you are left with nothing but beautiful flowers.
2. Sustainable Party Decor
When it comes to decor — go for something reusable, recyclable or that will biodegrade easily. (I used cloth banners and wooden signs for many celebrations.) They’ve lasted through multiple parties and are now part of my holiday tradition.
Rather than purchasing one-time-use streamers or balloons that will only end up in a landfill, go for dried flowers, upcycled fabric decorations, or even borrow items from friends.
You can also use biodegradable confetti and eco-friendly balloons as well. Get creative — use old newspapers or cardboard to craft your very own affordable, DIY decor.
3. Green Gifting and Party Favors
Yes, there are always countless delightful presents to share on New Year’s but it doesn’t have to mean excessive waste.
For example, When it comes to giving gifts I tend to give zero-waste options such as Rothy’s sneakers which are made from recycled plastic bottles, or Sakroots Handbags made of recycled stuff.
If you are giving party favors, think DIY! One year, I gave out little jars of natural soap I made myself, wrapped in fabric scraps. Not only is this sustainable, but it’s also personal.
4. Prepare a Sustainable Feast
In the United States, food waste is a problem — Up to 40% of all produced food in America goes uneaten. Which is why I always take extra care in planning to minimize that gap.
Eating a plant-based meal or locally sourced feast will go lighter on your carbon footprint. I’m using reusable utensils to avoid single-use plastics and I serve seasonal foods.
And don’t forget to store leftovers in glass containers or encourage guests to bring their own for a sustainable take-home option.
5. Eco-Friendly Fireworks Alternatives
As much as we love fireworks, they aren’t exactly eco-friendly. They release harmful chemicals into the air and create a lot of waste.
Opt for a laser light show instead, or plan an earth-friendly sparkler party. One of my favorite New Year’s alternatives is a biodegradable lantern release.
It’s just as magical but much kinder to the environment. You could also enjoy a virtual fireworks display—it’s becoming a popular way to celebrate without any of the environmental downsides.
Read my detailed blog about different eco-friendly alternatives for traditional fireworks.
6. Sustainable Party Activities
Not to mention sustainable New Year activities! One of the more fun things I have done in this process is to host a clothing swap.
It’s a great way to refresh your wardrobe without buying new items. You can also organize a crafting session where everyone creates eco-friendly New Year’s resolutions boards.
A groovy idea I really like is to have guests bring donations for charity instead of gifts. And the best part is that it helps spread some love easily while keeping waste low! Read more about sustainable game ideas for adults and kids.
7. Low-Energy Lighting and Ambiance
One year, I switched out all my New Year’s party lighting for LED bulbs, and I haven’t looked back since. If you want to celebrate with lights then LED is best for it which saves lots of energy and is durable in nature.
Also, solar-powered string lights can be an excellent outdoor option. Check out my LED light decoration Ideas too. Beeswax or soy candles are perfect to set up a warm and more private ambiance.
They not only create an intimate, cozy atmosphere but are also produced with natural ingredients that burn more cleanly than paraffin candles.
8. Zero-Waste Toast
New Year’s is a time for setting goals, so why not make them eco-friendly? For the coming year, encourage your friends and family to make green resolutions.
It can be reducing their plastic usage, starting to compost, or eating more plant-based meals. One idea I love is giving out recycled paper planners or eco-friendly notebooks so guests can jot down their sustainability goals for the year.
9. Green Resolutions
It can be a time of new goals for the year, so make them green! Get your friends and family to start some green resolutions for themselves whether it’s using less plastic or starting a small composting bin at home or even having more vegetarian meals.
An idea that really appeals to me is providing guests with recycled paper diaries or eco-friendly notebooks so they can write down their goals for sustainability in the New Year.
10. Give Back to Nature
After a night of celebration, start the New Year by giving back. There are many options like a community clean-up event in your local park or neighborhood.
Last year, I got a small group of friends together for a local beach clean-up on New Year’s Day—it was a refreshing way to start the year. Another idea is to plant trees, You can plant in your backyard or through a tree-planting organization.
Sustainable parties can be fun too. By adopting at least a few of the above ideas, we can create meaningful and memorable New Year’s celebrations.
These small changes in our celebrations make the occasions more special. So, let’s start the New Year with intention, fun, and a commitment to a greener future!
Drop a comment below about your favorite eco-friendly party ideas, or share how you plan to make your New Year’s celebration more sustainable this year.
