Express ProductsFourth of July – or Independence Day – has been widely celebrated since the 18th Century, with traditions dating back to the time of the American Revolution. The Fourth of July is a day for picnics, barbecues, fireworks, carnivals, family reunions, parades and the great outdoors (to name a few festivities!). More importantly, Independence Day is a day for us to celebrate our nation’s history, society and heritage.
This Independence Day, we want to protect the beauty of our land by encouraging everyone to do their part to create a clean and green America.
Colourful and Green Fireworks
If you want to have a more eco-friendly Fourth of July, why not visit a public firework display instead of hosting your own? According to the American Pyrotechnics Assocation, over 285 million pounds of fireworks were used in 2015. But these colourful displays can also spark air pollution. There are plenty of public firework displays happening all across America every Fourth of July, with the largest show occurring at Macy’s in New York City. So, join the crowds and celebrate as a nation.
If you really do want to put on a firework display at home, be careful to follow the safety precautions and always clear up any debris afterwards to reduce the environmental impact of fireworks.
Be Eco-Friendly at Barbecues
Did you know there could be over 60 million barbecues fired up this Fourth of July? Barbecues and Independence Day tend to go hand-in-hand. If you’re planning to host a barbecue this Fourth of July, why not swap the disposable plates and cutlery for reusable or biodegradable dinnerware? This small change can have a great impact on the environment!
If you’re planning to use disposable cutlery and plates, then opt for plastic over styrofoam as plastics can easily be placed in recycling bins after use.
Sustainable State Park Strolls
Many people will be heading to our beautiful State Parks this Independence Day. Simply visiting a National Park for a stroll or bike ride, instead of driving around the city, will help to reduce your carbon footprint!
If you’re planning to spend your day in the great outdoors to celebrate our nation’s history and land, then be sure to keep it clean. There are many things you can do to help protect our parks, such as keeping hold of any waste until you find a trash can and remembering to pick up after your pets.
Reduce Food Waste at Family Gatherings
The Fourth of July is often a time for family. Many people will get together with friends and family to celebrate together. When hosting a family picnic, barbecue or gathering, there’s some simple steps you can take to protect the environment whilst enjoying yourselves.
When choosing to spend time with loved ones for Independence Day, 65% of Americans will get together for a barbecue or picnic. If you’re hosting a cookout or food-filled party this Fourth of July, you could make use of leftover food by letting guests take food home or saving uneaten food for the next day. Leftovers don’t need to be boring - why not use leftover hamburgers to create a Mexican chili recipe or use spare potato salad and coleslaw in wraps?
Any food scraps that have gone uneaten can also be collected in a food waste bin to later be composted. This way you’ll be giving back to the land and doing your part to reduce your environmental impact.
Don’t forget you can recycle used glass bottles, plastic cups and aluminum cans too. We offer a wide range of suitable indoor recycling containers to help you go green this Independence Day.
Keep America Beautiful with $4 for the 4th
Taking steps to protect our nation doesn’t have to be limited to just one day a year. If you want to do something to help keep preserve the sustainability of America in the long-run, you can also donate money to Keep America Beautiful’s $4 for the 4th campaign.
Donating as little as $4 can help Keep America Beautiful with their Programs to End Littering, Improve Recycling and Beautify America’s Communities. We’re proud to say we’ve worked with KAB on a number of their campaigns, including providing cigarette bins for their Cigarette Litter Prevention Program.
