You’ve noticed it: parties are a shameful display of waste and environmentally unfriendly purchases. There are many green alternatives that you can choose from, one at a time. If you are new to greenification, you might fear that throwing a green party can be stressful, time and money consuming, as you don’t exactly know how to be green and/or where to find appropriate resources. But it doesn't need to be so, if you go step by step. Below is a list of the five main areas you can become greener in; pick the one that will be easiest for you, and slowly add more.

2. The greatest offender at a traditional party is tableware: plates, cups, spoons, napkins and tablecloths, all of them disposable and poor environmental choices. Instead, go for compostable or biodegradable ones. The least expensive option is probably white sugarcane or corn plates than you can decorate with edible ink pens: that can be a fun activity that guests can get involved in at the party before putting food on their plate. There are also biodegradable utensils made of corn or potato. To find plates, utensils, and edible ink pens and more, visit Green Party Goods.

For the tablecloth, you can either buy one made of cloth (as its name indicates) or, depending on the event, use a colorful twin or queen size bed sheet, whichever is less expensive and more re-usable to you. Once the party is over, just wash it with your clothes. Later on, you can re-use this sheet at every party. Just choose a pattern that will not seem silly or inappropriate in a few years, that is not too light in color (so stubborn stains won’t show as much) and that can accommodate different themes.

3. Next is water bottles. Instead, have a large, community water container and recyclable or biodegradable cups which, like plates, can be personalized with edible ink pens. For juices, stay away from individually packaged or bottled ones and choose larger containers.