With Plastic Free July just around the corner and the party season in full swing, this is the ideal time to host the perfect stylish and sustainable celebration. From birthdays and weddings to summer soirees, try our quick and easy swaps that will see you ditching plastic (even the hidden stuff) for good:

  • Invitations – if you’re happy to create your own, try Canva for digital invites with a personal touch. If you really want paper, opt for plantable invites – when the wildflowers or herbs start to appear, it’s a beautiful memory from a very special occasion.

  • Tableware – many paper plates and cups still have secret plastic linings (ours don’t by the way!), so if you want to be absolutely sure you’re going plastic-free then replace plates, bowls, cups and cutlery with reusable options such as hiring a party kit, using your own, or choosing tableware made from home compostable materials such as palm leaf, bamboo, birch wood, or bagasse. There’s even edible tableware available now - from cocoa biscuit spoons to savoury wheat bran plates. Yum!
  
  • Divine Décor – less is definitely more when it comes to stunning decorations made from natural materials such as hessian, organic cotton, or FSC certified /recycled paper. Combine these with locally sourced flowers and foliage, then add a touch of lighting with luminaries or LED fairy lights for a warm glow to your party space. Upcycling décor adds a personal feel to your celebration, so try repurposing old jars as candle holders, or fill with biodegradable confetti or seed balls.
   
 
  • Sustainable Serving Solutions – ditch the plastic or foil platters and go for gorgeous wooden or slate trays. Serve food in glass or ceramic dishes (tip: check out local charity shops) and use cloth napkins, or unbleached kraft paper ones if preferred.

  • Let the games begin –  from scavenger hunts and crafty kits to plastic-free pinatas and making your own seed bombs, there are so many ways to keep young and the not so young guests busy. Most of these can double up as a takeaway gift e.g. seed balls to plant back at home.  Check out Pinterest for inspiration, or browse our party games. There’s even a wedding cake pinata – only after the speeches of course!
    
  • Who needs balloons? They hang around for a few hours at parties, but their impact on our earth can last for decades (yes, even the ‘biodegradable’ natural latex ones - read more about this here). Reusable decorations, biodegradable confetti, pinwheels and windsocks made from paper, fabric, or recycled materials add a playful touch to any party. If you really must have balloons, choose these whimsical, reusable, fully home compostable washi-paper ones - popular with children and adults, and they don’t pop!
  
  • Zero-Waste Leftovers – making a plan for leftovers will help reduce food waste. Encourage guests to bring a reusable container with them, or find out where your nearest community fridge is as they may accept donations of food and flowers. Providing bins for recycling and home composting will ensure minimal waste, if any, goes to landfill.

So there you have it…8 (or more) quick and easy ways to ditch the plastic and throw the perfect sustainable celebration!  Every small change makes a big difference, so choosing even just one means we can collectively reduce the impact of plastic on our environment and pave the way for a more sustainable future.  New plastic-free party products are coming onto the marketplace daily, so take a look at our Just Arrived! and feel good knowing that every sale helps not just the planet but the individuals and families behind the small businesses too.