Tips for an Eco-Friendly Party!

Image of football. Title on images says for Super Bowl LIX: Score a Touchdown for the planet!
January 28, 2025
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image with food, drinks and decorative small footballsHosting a Super Bowl Party? This is your opportunity to celebrate in an eco-friendly way, enjoy the company, and cheer on your team. Show your friends your spirit and dedication to protecting the planet! Learn more about the NFL’s Green Sustainability focus!

From kickoff to cleanup, below are tips for hosting an eco-friendly Super Bowl LIX (or future parties) at home.

May the best team win!

 

Getting ready: 

  • Digital invites: Instead of sending paper invitations, send digital invites to your guests. 
  • Get a count: Knowing how many people are joining you will help you decide how much food to prepare and prevent excess food.  Saves you money!
  • Repurpose decor: Instead of buying new items, use home decor you already have. Ask family and friends to contribute with decorations they may have stashed away. 
  • Buy local: Buy food and drinks from local markets and restaurants. Check out the Montgomery County Farmers Market list to find one that is open near you. You can also search the Montgomery County Food Council page for Montgomery County made products.  
  • Cook at home: Cook or have a potluck so you can use sustainable containers.  Need help? Have a pre-cooking party. Invite friends over to help with the food prep. Keep it simple and make it fun!
  • Try new vegetarian dishes: Try out vegetarian dishes or dips – vegetarian dishes have a low carbon footprint. 
  • Can the grease! Don’t pour fats, oils, or grease down the drain. This will protect your pipes, prevent sewer backups, and prevent expensive plumbing issues at home! For tips on what to do, visit the WSSC Can the Grease website.
  • Carpool: Invite family and friends to carpool to the party. Don’t forget to drive responsibly. 

Plan for leftovers:

  • image of a table with potluck food including chicken and other foods on a table

    Reusable containers to go: Invite family and friends to bring their reusable containers to take leftovers home.

  • Donate: Before dropping off food, check with local food pantries or soup kitchens about what items they will accept and how to properly store them. Due to food safety regulations, not all food may be accepted; find out in advance.  
  • Save for later: Not able to donate food? Save leftovers in reusable containers and you now have left over food to eat later. 
  • Consider Food Scrap composting:
    • Composting food scraps is an easy task if you have a regular food scrap collector. 
    • Label the food scrap collection container appropriately to ensure only the appropriate food scraps are added. What goes into the container will depend on how you will dispose of the food scrap materials. If you have a regular food scrap collector, follow their instructions. 
    • If you do not have regular food scrap collection – Montgomery County has partnered with local farm markets to provide Food Scraps Recycling Drop offs.  You can find a food scrap recycling drop-off location near you using this website. Due to the winter schedule, there are limited locations, but this changes throughout the year. Keep this in mind for future parties. 
image of Dos and Don'ts at Food Recycling Drop-off sites. Do recycle: fruits and vegetables scraps, cooked food including meat, fish, bones, dairy, coffee grounds, tea leaves, egg shells, and bread and grains. Do not recycle: pet waste, napkins or paper, foodware or packaging, yard trim, pizza boxes, liquids, produce stickers and rubber bands.

Montgomery County, MD – Dos and Don’ts for Food Scrap at recycling drop off sites.

During the Party:

group of people in a circle cheering with drinks above a table with food

  • Use reusable items: Use reusable plates, cups, and utensils. This will save you money and allow you to use them for future gatherings.  
  • Use Recyclable plates and cups: Can’t use reusable plates or cups? Ensure your plates and cups are recyclable. Unfortunately, single-use plastic eating utensils are not recyclable in most jurisdictions. In Montgomery County, MD, you can recycle plastic containers labeled 1,2,3,4, 5, and 7.  Learn more about plastic bottles, containers, tubs and lids accepted for recycling in Montgomery County, MD. 
  • Mark Trash containers appropriately: Provide clearly marked trash, recycling and compost containers (if composting food scraps). Make an announcement early in the gathering and a reminder at halftime. Reminding everyone will help ensure the containers are being used appropriately.
  • Do you have kids joining the party? Give them a task! Kids can be the most eager helpers. Ask them to help you monitor the containers and ensure everything is being disposed of appropriately. Explain to them what each container is for. They will become little experts! 

After the party:

    • Save decorations: Save the decorations for your next party! This will help you save money and prevent excess trash.  
    • Store leftovers appropriately: Remember to refrigerate all items requiring refrigeration, especially if you donate leftovers. 
    • If you are composting: After the party, compost food scraps instead of throwing them in the trash. 
    • Eco-friendly cleaners: Finish off the evening by using eco-friendly cleaners. Use cloth towels and sponges instead of paper towels. Don’t forget to disinfect your sponges appropriately. Learn more about identifying greener cleaning products.
    • Recycle: Put your recycling bin out on your appropriate recycling day. If you live in Montgomery County, MD, look up your recycling/trash collection day and services.

     

    With these tips, you can enjoy the Super Bowl and continue protecting the planet. Remember to share with family and friends!