How Can I Recycle at My Summer Party?
Summer is just around the corner! The warm weather means everyone can start planning parties and spend more time outside with their friends and family. Whether you are starting the grill for the first time or planning birthday parties, Chicago summers are perfect for being outside.
Thinking ahead can make a huge impact on our environment and your wallet. This summer you can take simple steps to ensure your event is environmentally friendly. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind when planning your next get together.
Beverage Containers
All empty bottles, cans, and jugs are 100% recyclable! Consider having a recycling bin at your event so guests remember to recycle their empties.
Solo cups are not recyclable and must be thrown away. These plastics can leak dangerous toxins when heated up or burned. If you choose to have Solo cups at your barbeque, bring a marker so your guests can write their names and refill their drinks.
Silverware
Most plastic silverware is made of the same material as plastic solo cups. Unfortunately, this material is not recyclable and must be thrown away. Instead of disposables, use metal silverware as an environmentally friendly substitute.
Beverage Containers
All empty bottles, cans, and jugs are 100% recyclable! Consider having a recycling bin at your event so guests remember to recycle their empties.
Solo cups are not recyclable and must be thrown away. These plastics can leak dangerous toxins when heated up or burned. If you choose to have Solo cups at your barbeque, bring a marker so your guests can write their names and refill their drinks.
Silverware
Most plastic silverware is made of the same material as plastic solo cups. Unfortunately, this material is not recyclable and must be thrown away. Instead of disposables, use metal silverware as an environmentally friendly substitute.
Plates & Napkins
It’s time to start the grill! Once the juice of your burger hits the plate, it must be thrown away. The liquids, fats, and oils from all your favorite foods soak into your plate’s paper fibers making it impossible to recycle, and possibly contaminating an entire load of recyclable material. This is true for napkins and paper towels too. Once they’ve been used for food, they should be put into the garbage. Cloth napkins and reusable plates make a great alternative that can save your wallet and save the environment!
Food and Food Packaging
Shareable meals are great for the environment, and large gatherings! Individual meals mean each item is individually wrapped, and the waste builds up. Some great shareable snacks include large submarine sandwiches or family sized bags of chips. Additionally, reusable baskets or coolers make transporting your meals safe and easy, all while helping the environment (and keeping away ants, bees, and other unwanted guests)!
Film plastics such as plastic bags, paper towel wraps, 6-pack rings, and wrap found on cases of water are not part of your curbside program. However, there are other options for recycling this plastic. Many local retailers offer drop off locations for these materials.
Decorations
No summer block-party is complete without the decorations! Almost all store-bought decorations come in plastic packaging. This packaging cannot be recycled. As a great family activity, try creating recyclable decorations! Your unique accents will be the highlight of the party and can be reused for years to come! While balloons make for great decorations, they are not great for the environment. There are two types of balloons made of different materials: latex and mylar. Latex balloons are not recyclable,
but they are made from an organic material that can decompose quickly in a landfill. The second type of balloon is made from mylar, which is a type of durable plastic that takes much longer to break down. While they are also not recyclable, mylar balloons can often be reused and refilled with helium. Be sure to pop your balloons and make sure they are properly disposed of instead of letting them drift into the sky. When not properly disposed of, wildlife can mistake balloons’ bright colors for food.
No summer block-party is complete without the decorations! Almost all store-bought decorations come in plastic packaging. This packaging cannot be recycled. As a great family activity, try creating recyclable decorations! Your unique accents will be the highlight of the party and can be reused for years to come!
While balloons make for great decorations, they are not great for the environment. There are two types of balloons made of different materials: latex and mylar. Latex balloons are not recyclable, but they are made from an organic material that can decompose quickly in a landfill. The second type of balloon is made from mylar, which is a type of durable plastic that takes much longer to break down. While they are also not recyclable, mylar balloons can often be reused and refilled with helium. Be sure to pop your balloons and make sure they are properly disposed of instead of letting them drift into the sky. When not properly disposed of, wildlife can mistake balloons’ bright colors for food.
These tips are sure to keep your event environmentally friendly! Consider printing our recycling guide below to avoid any future recycling mishaps. For further recycling tips, check out our Basic Recycling is Better Recycling program.
