Daily Dish the Sonoma Market blog
Extraordinary Sustainability: How to Throw an Eco-Friendly Party
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Summer is so close we can SEE it! When it comes to sustainability, we look at the Social, Environmental and Economic aspects of all our decisions, and this summer, we invite you to SEE your summer fun with us. No matter what fun in the sun you plan on enjoying—backyard barbecues, patriotic parties, ice cream socials, etc.—it often comes with unforeseen waste. If you want to rein in waste while still throwing the coolest party ever, we can help. Use these 5 easy tips to plan ahead, save some hassle and save the Earth, too!
Summer is so close we can SEE it! When it comes to sustainability, we look at the Social, Environmental and Economic aspects of all our decisions, and this summer, we invite you to SEE your summer fun with us. No matter what fun in the sun you plan on enjoying—backyard barbecues, patriotic parties, ice cream socials, etc.—it often comes with unforeseen waste. If you want to rein in waste while still throwing the coolest party ever, we can help. Use these 5 easy tips to plan ahead, save some hassle and save the Earth, too!
1. Skip the balloons: Most of the helium in production has been used up and what is left is in high demand by the medical industry. In other words, not only are we running out of helium, we rely upon it for our life-saving technologies like MRI machines. When you think “party,” think bubbles and ribbon dancers instead!
2. Skip the packaging: Consider buying ingredients in larger quantities (bulk or family packs) to reduce the amount of individually wrapped items, or consider skipping the item altogether. If ice cream’s part of the picture, skip the disposable cup and spoon and use reusable dishes or lick straight from the cone!
3. Skip the disposable water bottles: Hydrating is essential, but disposable water bottles (and the plastic they’re wrapped in) are not! Purchase a refillable drink dispenser and either provide reusable water bottles or cups, or ask your partygoers to bring theirs and you’ll end the day with zero waste.
4. Think community: When you’re shopping for that special person, consider gifts that will also do good on a grander scale. For instance, each one of these categories puts money back into the community and saves energy!
- Gifts from local, family-owned, independent businesses.
- Gifts made from renewable materials.
- Gifts made from materials with recycled content.
5. Think local: Finally, think about where your food is coming from—even hot dogs, hamburgers, buns, chips and ketchup can be sourced sustainably! When looking for sustainably sourced meats, consider how the animal was raised. When looking for sustainably sourced snacks, look for products with a small ingredient list.
For more information, about any of these tips, simply ask the Green Guru at your local Nugget Markets! Our floral team can also help with questions about balloons and eco-friendly alternatives, and our butchers and grocery managers can help you navigate our vast array of meat and grocery options!
