Sunday, February 3, 2013

Ecofriendly Super Bowl Parties

It's that time of year again and everyone is breaking out their NFL jerseys, the chips and salsa, drinking beer and gearing up for the best TV commercials of the year. If you're thinking about hosting a party tonight for Super Bowl XLVII, here's some tips to keep your party as eco-friendly as possible without looking silly!

1. If at all possible, use reusable plates, cups and silverware. But I get it, chances are you won't want to do dishes following the big game. But whatever you do, DON'T buy Styrofoam plates for your guests! Stick to recyclable plastic plates and paper napkins or products that are made from recycled materials.

2. You still have time to get out there and purchase snacks before kickoff. Try to buy in bulk if possible. Buying in bulk eliminates wasted packaging and saves you money.

3. Beer is pretty much a guaranteed staple at Super Bowl parties, cookouts and birthday parties. Have you thought about checking out the local brews? Many towns' grocery stores carry a selection of locally brewed beers that are just as tasty as major brands. Many co-op grocery stores also offer wine selections, organic and local trail mixes, veggies, etc. making it possible for you to support your hometown's economy.

Even the smallest towns have local breweries. Check out these two breweries located in the Cedar Valley, Iowa area.

Single Speed Brewing  Cedar Falls, IA

Broad Street Brewing Co. Reinbeck, IA

4. People often throw recyclables away simply because they don't see a recycling bin in sight. Make sure your guests can see the recycling bin plus you can rack up quite a bit of change depositing those beer and soda cans!

5. Remember you can always make your own salsa, guacamole and if you're feeling adventurous, potato chips. Remember to stock up on local vegetables and all the ingredients you might need.

Finally, don't forget to compost any leftover food scraps you have and clean up dishes and counters using a less harsh homemade vinegar cleaner. There are just about one thousand ways to use vinegar as a household cleaner. Check out this site for tips when cleaning with vinegar.

Have a great Super Bowl and remember to apply these tips and tricks to all your parties!

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