5 Eco-Friendly Tips to Make Outdoor Entertaining More Sustainable

​By Daniel Butler
Municipal Relations San Diego County
Waste Management of North County

GREEN OUTDOOR GATHERINGS WITH TIPS FROM WASTE MANAGEMENT OF NORTH COUNTY

As temperatures rise and gatherings around the grill or at the beach with friends and family to celebrate under the sun take off, Waste Management of North County offers five easy-to-follow green tips to make outdoor entertaining season more sustainable.

Whether celebrating a college graduation, Father’s Day out in the backyard with a barbeque or any other special occasion out on the beach, there is a lot that we can do to protect the environment while entertaining outdoors. By adding a few eco-friendly practices to our gatherings, we can all do our part to reduce waste as we enjoy the beauty of the season.

KEEP OUTDOOR GATHERINGS SUSTAINABLE WITH THESE HELPFUL TIPS FROM WASTE MANAGEMENT:

• Sending an invite? Save paper by choosing electronic invites or purchase invitations made from recyclable content and encourage guests to reduce their carbon footprint by carpooling or ride-sharing to the soiree.
  
• When planning the menu, go local and go organic for all your party eats. Take advantage of the wonderful farming community of Oceanside.
  
• Choose reusable serving platters and dishware for appetizers, entrees and dessert to cut down on single-use items. And if using plastic wrap to keep your spread covered, remember to keep it out of your recycling container once the celebration is over.
  
• Encourage recycling by setting out recycling containers for your guests to recycle all empty bottles and cans.
  
• If barbeque is on the menu, remember to practice safe coal disposal by allowing coals to cool for a minimum of 48 hours before placing them in the trash. Never place them in the recycling or green waste container.

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We are committed to achieving the City’s Zero Waste Goals and keeping Oceanside clean and beautiful. This summer replace the use of plastic water bottles with reusable and refillable thermoses and containers. If plastic bottles cannot be avoided, we encourage you to find one of the many recycling containers placed around the beach, harbor and downtown areas to keep plastic bottles out of the landfills and, more importantly, out of the ocean. Every year, more and more plastic items are finding their way into the ocean. At the rate we are currently at, by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. Even the smallest of efforts from everyone in your community can create great change worldwide.