Green Grads: Your Eco-Friendly Graduation Party

Break out the caps and gowns because it’s that time of year again: graduation!

Whether it’s your graduation, or you’re hosting a party/celebration for the green grad in your life, we’ve got some helpful tips on how to host an eco-friendly affair.

Invitations: Opt for the e-vite instead of traditional paper invitations, or get even more creative and design a graphic invite that can be sent out via smartphone (an idea Martha Stewart herself utilized for her son’s college graduation)!

Photo Ops: If you’ll be hiring an event photographer, or playing paparazzi around the recent graduates, consider setting up an online, digital photo album after the event. Email the link to party guests, instead of printing out photos for an album. Think before you print – try to limit the number of printed photos for frames/gifts and opt for digitized options, instead. 

Party Favors & Hors d’oeuvres: Catering locally ensures that your party hors d’oeuvres are as eco-friendly as they are delicious. As we’ve covered in previous posts (linked), eating/drinking local is one way to contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions in your community, as well as a way to support the local economy. Keep in mind that almost anything comes in organic form these days, from baked goods and cakes to locally brewed beer.

For party favors, consider organic treats, sweets, or a bottle of local, organic wine.

Avoid Paper/Disposable Dining Ware: One of the biggest sources of waste from events such as graduation parties comes from those pesky paper/plastic plates, silverware, and utensils. Opt for biodegradable alternatives, or traditional re-usable dishware (which can often be rented, or may be part of a local catering service’s party package).

Encourage Carpooling: Encourage your guests to go green and cut back on carbon emissions by carpooling, biking, or walking, if the party venue is close by.

Do you have any helpful tips for how to offset the carbon footprint of your graduation party or event? Share with us in the comments, below!

As a graduation goal this year, resolve to live a more carbon neutral lifestyle! We’re here to help. Reduce your carbon footprint with help from JustGreen Lifestyle’sCarbon Offsetting program and products.

Resources:

http://www.marthastewart.com/275168/an-eco-friendly-graduation-party/@center/307033/spring-holidays

http://www.punchbowl.com/p/environmentally-friendly-graduation-party-planning

http://www.motherearthliving.com/wiser-living/green-your-life-a-green-graduation-party.aspx