Perksters! Notice the new hue in the line up?
Independence Day celebrations are just around the corner and this year we wanted to add a new shade to our traditional red, white, and blue. Introducing….. GREEN. The 4th of July is a celebration of true American spirit. We take great pride in honoring our independence. Unfortunately, when celebrating this day we haven’t always taken pride in honoring the planet. But we’re here to help you start a new tradition and make it easy and fun to green things up a bit!
Where’s The Beef?
As Americans, everything we do is BIG! And our food choices are no exception. We live for big burger’s, footlong hotdogs and the salty goodness of a big bag of crispy potato chips, especially during the 4th of July. It’s tradition right? But did you know that making just one traditional hamburger uses enough fossil fuel to drive a small car for 20 miles! No worries, most of our holiday classics can be veganized. (Turned into vegan options. We just thought it was a really cool word lol)
You can substitute your beef burgers with bean burgers or if you really wanna get that old school burger flavor, go for a Beyond Burger or Impossible Burger. They grill up really nicely and your guests will never tell the difference. The best part is, it’s not only better for the environment, but it’s better for you too. Check out this incredibly delicious vegan burger recipe from Minimalist Baker! This burger will knock your socks off! Unless of course you’re wearing flip flops.
Cold Chill’n & Green Grill’n
The most important aspect of a great outdoor holiday celebration is the grill. But can a grill be green? It most certainly can and should be. One of the best green options for grilling is a pellet grill. These things are way better for the environment than your old charcoal or gas grill, which creates air pollution and contributes to greenhouse gases. Pellet grills use wood pellets made from compressed sawdust and scrap hardwood chips which normally would’ve gone to waste. Also the pellets do not contain any harsh chemical additives so they burn clean with minimal ash. Z Grillz are by far the best pellet grills out there and Loyalty+ members can take advantage of $20 off select grills!
More Great Green Tips!
Some other great ways to green up this year’s 4th of July celebration is in how we shop, decorate and entertain. Check out these great green tips Perksters!
> Buy sustainably sourced goods from your local farmer’s market
> Refuse what you can’t reuse and opt for cloth table coverings that can be washed instead of plastic
> Go with compostable cutlery that breaks down not plastic that stays around
> Use large drink dispensers and invite people to bring their favorite drinking cups to minimize trash & waste
> Place a recycling bin near your trash cans and have the kids “shoot hoops” with their recyclables
> Give your guest the option of bringing a dish or donating to your fav environmental cause
> Upcycle a large cardboard box into a compost bin for scrap foods
> Take leftovers to a shelter and help feed those in need
All of these are great ways to celebrate the holiday this year and show the earth you care. Just remember, honor the nation on its biggest celebration by treating the great lands of our country with respect. And don’t forget to check out all of the incredible deals your waste haulers have provided just for you, our Loyalty + members! Log in, click on “Shop By” then scroll down to “4th of July Deals”! Hurry, you don’t have long before the holiday has come and gone.
Jammica Boone is a writer and content creator for Enviroperks.