The Super Bowl this year, Super Bowl 50, is supposed to be the most viewed television program ever. As a Colorado native and HUGE Broncos fan, you can guess that I’m excited about the upcoming big game.  Now my family doesn’t actually own a TV so most games we listen to on the radio or watch with friends.  We’re not quite sure where we’ll end up for the big game this year, but I’ll make sure to bring along some great Zero Waste snacks for everyone to enjoy!

Whether you’re hosting a party or going to a friend’s house there are lots of things you can do to reduce your impact and still have a GREAT game!

10 Tips for a Zero Waste Super Bowl Party

  1. Use cloth decorations.  Check out your local fabric store for fabric with the team’s logos or in the team colors to make napkins, banners and pennants.  With a good pair of pinking shears, you can make them without having to sew anything too!  Just cut apart the fabric and you’re good to go- plus people can take them home as a fun souvenir if you want.   (Or make decorations out of clippings from the newspaper about the game!)
  2. Use real dishes and silverware instead of disposable.  (I’m leery of “compostable” products as most areas don’t have the facilities to compost them and many are quite difficult to make.  There are some beautiful, inexpensive, reusable wooden dishes out there too- or ask guests to bring their own dishes and you can promise to run the dishwasher before they all leave!)
  3. Get reusable glass straws in the team colors.  Guests can take a straw based on the team they think will win and take them home after the party!
  4. Encourage people to carpool to the game (and make sure to have a DD if there will be alcohol served)
  5. Tell guests that you’re having a Zero Waste party and encourage them to bring unpackaged food like fresh fruits and veggies, and to check out the bulk bins at the local grocery store (and bring their own bag to fill).  You’ll have a healthier and less wasteful meal!
  6. Leave out a bin for recycling and a bin for compost.
  7. Serve homemade drinks like kombucha, water kefir, homemade root beer, iced loose leaf tea or, my current favorite, switchel.  These can all be served out of mason jars and people can put them into their own cups.
  8. Get a keg for your beer (or root beer).  They’re a lot cheaper per ounce than cans/bottles and will be reused over and over.  Plus it gives you a chance to support a local brewery (lots of craft breweries are making amazing root beer now too)!
  9. Purchase meat in bulk.  Many stores now allow you to bring your own container for things like meat and cheese so you can serve burgers, wings or a roast without the packaging (check your local regulations, of course).
  10. Have fun games and activities for the kids.  Set up yard games if it’s nice enough or get some dry erase boards for them to color.   There are fun dry erase crayons and colored pencils now!  Set out some wooden blocks, train tracks or a doll house and the kids will be entertained while you enjoy the game!

What will you do this year to reduce your impact and enjoy the big game?  Let me know in the comments or email me at blog@keeper.com

Have a fun Super Bowl!

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Olivia lives in Boulder, Colorado with her husband and 5 year old son. She enjoys spending time in the mountains, studying about essential oils, natural remedies and herbs, as well as upcycling/ DIY projects. Olivia’s family is almost completely Zero Waste and strives to live with as little impact on the Earth as possible.  They are currently downsizing and planning to move into a Tiny House in 2016.

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