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Tips for a Green Independence Day
Tue, Jul 3rd, 2012 by Audrey Johnson
From traveling to your favorite vacation spot to generating waste at cookouts, holiday activities can leave a huge carbon footprint on the earth. Holidays are all about relaxing with loved ones and having fun, so I put together a few tips to help ease your impact (and your mind) this Independence Day. Happy 4th!
Ditch the Disposables: This 4th of July, reduce landfill waste by sticking with reusable dishes. Bamboo is lightweight, quickly renewable, biodegradable, and naturally anti-microbial, making it a no-brainer as an alternative to traditional paper plates. If you absolutely must use disposable dishes, look for the compostable kind. (Some biodegrade in as little as 90 days!)
Eat Organic Veggies and Grass-Fed Meat: Independence Day may as well be dubbed National Grilling Day. It’s no secret that Americans love to eat, and we will come up with any excuse to engage in our favorite pastime. But, are you grillin’ like a villain? If your plate consists of mostly meat, then probably so. The USDA suggests eating mostly fruits and veggies as a way to stay healthy. As an added bonus, cutting back on meat helps eliminate the greenhouse gasses that contribute to global warming.
Get Moving: The beaches of 30A in South Walton are unique and, well…dreamy. There are plenty of green activities to keep you busy this holiday. Dust off your handlebars and celebrate the 4th by participating in a bike parade. After it’s all said and done, volunteer for Annual Beach Clean Up on July 5th. For parade routes and clean-up locations, visit SoWal.com/events.
Audrey Johnson is a freelance writer living in Destin, FL. In 2005, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and has remained interested in the various ways that groups of people interact. As the contributor for VIE’s “Living Green” column, she’ll be helping VIE readers explore the limitless options of green lifestyles.
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