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Summertime is full of things that can get wasteful and bad for the planet, if allowed. The Fourth of July is certainly one. I’m sharing some of my top tips for a sustainable Fourth of July, but many of the tips I’ve already shared on the blog for BBQs and outdoor activities also apply.
Don’t do your own fireworks
This is one of my hot-takes that some people may not agree with. You have to remember that I grew up in the desert in a state with lots of wildfires. Fire danger warning levels were common-place, and so were red-flag warnings. Droughts were and are very common.
Fireworks, when not done by professionals, spell danger to me. Particularly when people shoot them off in town close to their neighbors’ houses. The last season of “This Old House” that I watched, they were having to repair a house in Boston that caught fire because of neighbors shooting off fireworks in the city.
As climate change continues, droughts will become more common in parts of the country they haven’t been previously. This will increase the fire danger in those areas. Shooting off fireworks increases the chance that a wildfire will start. Professional displays are typically (at least in my area) put on by or at least monitored by a fire department. They likely have a plan in place in case something goes wrong.
Wildfires are a pretty strong reason to not shoot off your own fireworks, but there are others. One is that you can’t pick up all the trash that you create from shooting them off. You can pick up what’s left in your direct vicinity, but if you got big ones that travel high or far, you won’t be able to get all the debris.
Another reason that you should consider not doing your own fireworks, which isn’t really an environmental one, is to keep the dogs in your area safe and happy. Fireworks scare many dogs, and they can have full-blown panic attacks because of them. They may also get out of their yard and run away if they get scared. Their owners (or their petsitters) would be thrilled if less people shot off fireworks. Veterans with PTSD can struggle with fireworks, as well, which is another non-environmental reason to consider not doing your own.
UPF Clothing & Reef-Safe Sunscreen
A running theme on the blog this summer is environmentally-friendly sun protection since summer = more sun exposure. You can check out this post to find out why traditional sunscreen is bad, and for recommendations. Fourth of July could be an opportunity for you to show off your sustainable sun protection to others and encourage them to follow your lead!
Bring Your Own Cup (& Other Reusables) to the Party
If you’re going to a party for the 4th, make sure to BYOR, bring your own reusables! You can bring your own cup or drink container, silverware, and leftover containers. I won’t blame you if you don’t bring your own plate or bowl, those aren’t as easy to carry as a cup and utensils.
You can leave your leftover containers in your car until it’s time to get some. The host will probably appreciate not having to find more containers or bags for your leftovers. I know I would!
Bowl Covers
If you’re the host of the party, or if you’re going to a potluck-style party, bowl covers are a fantastic thing to have. Instead of having to use aluminum foil or plastic wrap over a bowl, dish or pan that doesn’t have a lid to it, you just pop a washable bowl cover on!
This is one of my favorite things I’ve found recently. I don’t like to put leftovers in a new container just because they’re in one with no lid, and now I don’t have to. I just put a bowl cover on & stick them in the fridge. Bowl covers are great for things that you might need to make in a large mixing or serving bowl that doesn’t have a lid.
They work just like plastic or aluminum, and seal in moisture. They also keep most odors in, too.
Stashers
Stashers are one of my favorite things in the world. They are a reusable alternative to ziploc bags. I am always having to tell myself that I have enough when I see the new colors and styles they come out with. They are an investment, but they now have a sale section on their website and they run sales fairly often. I bought most of mine when they were on sale, and they are definitely worth the money.
There are tons of size and color options, and Stasher is a certified B corporation, women-owned, and 1% For the Planet member. They are partnered with TerraCycle to recycle their bags if they become no longer usable (I haven’t had this happen to any of mine). You can put them in the dishwasher, the microwave, the freezer, the oven, and in boiling water!
For the 4th, you could use them for marinating meat or veggies that you plan to grill. Or you could use them for leftovers. You could use them to keep leafy greens crisp in the fridge to top burgers. Put water in them and freeze them, and you’ve made your own ice packs. The possibilities are endless!
I hope you found these tips for a sustainable Fourth of July helpful! If nothing else, I hope it made you think about fire safety. One of my best friends is a wildland firefighter for the National Forest Service and I think about wildfires now even more than I did before. Please make sure you always obey the fire warnings and no campfire orders if you’re out on our nation’s public lands. Doing so can literally save lives.
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