Eco-friendly décor and food ideas to help you become a sustainable host

With Earth Month wrapping up and warm weather on the way, you might be thinking about how to host in an eco-friendlier way. Wedding and event planner, Trevor Frankfort shares ideas for sustainable entertaining to help keep waste down, reduce your carbon footprint, and make sure the goods that you’re using are sustainably made.

Dishes

When it comes to dishes, people are always wondering what’s the best option for the environment when hosting a group. Have you noticed that most of the recycled single-use dishes aren’t the most pleasing to the eye? Be on the hunt for reusable bamboo plates and cups. They work well for both hot and cold foods and are dishwasher-safe.  In terms of cutlery, go for birch cutlery. It’s compostable, biodegradable, and made without the use of chemicals.

SHOP: Dishes, Cups, Cutlery, and Napkins; available at Wishes Party Store

Reusable Décor

Let’s stop using decorations that you end up throwing out at the end of the night. Go for fabric decorations that can be washed, stored, and reused over and over again.

SHOP: Party hats, Balloons, Name flags, and Garlands; available at Fancy Little Day

Stationery and Signage

Does anyone even check their mailbox these days? Save money and the environment by going digital with your invitations. There are plenty of free apps and websites out there where you can create stunning and creative invites. Another creative way to identify all your food and drinks is to use mini chalkboard signs. Keep them and use them for every party your throw.

SHOP: Seed Paper Name Cards; available at The Polka Dot Papers Shop

Potted Plants and Flowers as Centrepieces

You can actually compost flowers which is great but one of the latest trends in preserving them by drying them out and turning them into long-lasting works of art or gifts. There are so many options like coasters, framed floral designs, cuff links, and more. You can attend workshops to learn how to do this yourself or trust the pros to do it for you and you’ll have a piece of your special occasion with you forever.

SHOP: Flowers, Potted Plants, and Flowers; available at Bloom Bar Studio | Dried Flower Art Items; available at Pressed In Time

Food

When cooking yourself, shop at your local grocery store. Try the organic food section or visit your local farmer’s market for your ingredients. The more local you shop for your food, the less fuel it takes to get those products to your home. And the most plant-based your menu is, the more sustainable is it. If you prefer not to cook, find a catering company that sources organic, local, fair trade, and ethically produced ingredients where possible. Posting signs to help guests decide what belongs in recycling, trash, and compost bins is helpful. You can even arrange a pick-up or drop-off with a composting company after your event. Source your alcohol from local wineries, distilleries, and breweries.

In order to avoid food waste, try not to have buffets or grazing stations. Oftentimes, in order to make sure these stations look beautiful they need to have way more food than necessary. You can also turn the celebration into a potluck. Not only will it ensure there will be enough food for everyone, you know there will be at least one food everyone will enjoy. Plus, guests can take home their leftovers at the end of the evening.

SHOP: Vert Means Greens

Repurpose Home Décor

Repurpose home décor items instead of buying new things or supplies that will get tossed after the event. You would be surprised at some of the things you have at home that can really enhance the look of your bar or food areas. Something else you can do is borrow from your guests who are invited. This way you don’t have to spend too much on the party while your friends contribute. Borrowing is a great way to make sure items get used more often throughout the year, and it saves money.

SHOP: Home Decor; available at Glamorous Affairs 

Gifts for Guests

A major trend right now is to have a ‘gift buffet,’ instead of choosing one item to hand out for each gift. Having a few different options for your guests lets them choose what they would actually want. You can offer up homemade and practical items that guests can reuse or consume like small jars of homemade honey or jam, chocolate, or baked goods. Or you can source locally made items like soaps o candles.

SHOP: Lip Balm; available at The Cedar Nook | Soap and Candles; available at Made by Me