Birthday Parties with Less Waste

Throw a crowd-pleasing party without hurting the planet.

With two small kids, it feels like we head to a birthday party almost every weekend. We love celebrating with our friends, but the trash cans overflowing with single-use plastic, paper and other junk just hurts my heart. I’ve put together some ways that you can throw an amazing birthday bash with a lot less waste.

1. Get rid of the throwaways

Depending on where you have your party, the venue you choose may already have reusable plates, cups and tablecloths. It never hurts to ask! Choose real metal cutlery and cloth napkins that can be washed and used again and again.

And talk to your other parent friends. If you all split the cost of a big set of cups, plates and napkins for everyone to use at birthday parties, you’ll save a lot of money and keep tons of trash out of the landfill.

2. Get rid of the gifts

Ask guests not to bring gifts. I know some people will think I’m a killjoy, but let’s be real—does your kid *really* need 30+ small plastic toys in addition to everything they already have? Toys that you’ll end up throwing away or donating in a few months are not worth bringing into your house in the first place.

I’m not saying kids shouldn’t get anything for their birthdays, but stick to one gift each from family members. Kids are more likely to appreciate each individual present this way and you’ll make other parents’ lives easier too.  Plus, you’ll keep wrapping paper and all that extra packaging out of the garbage can.

3. Goodie bags are overrated

If you have kids, chances are they’ve gotten a goodie bag. They’re typically full of junky toys that break and have to be thrown away within a couple of days. Party favors don’t have to be a drain on the environment. Focus on fewer, sturdier items and ditch the throwaway plastic bags. You’ll likely spend the same amount of money as buying 20 bags of junk and your guests (and their parents!) will appreciate it more.

• Seed packets for growing herbs or wildflowers at home
• Reusable water bottles. You can even personalize them with kids’ names to make them extra special.
• Homemade treats are better for the environment and healthier than packaged candy.
• Books are a fun favor that can be passed on to the local library or school when kids grow out of them. Bonus points if you get them gently used.
• Dare to ditch the party favors altogether. I can pretty much guarantee no one will mind and those that do won’t say anything.

4. Choose your venue wisely

Both my kids have birthdays in months with highly unpredictable weather. If your family’s birthdays fall in sunnier months, pick a local park or your backyard for the party. Limit the throwaway decorations, tableware and favors and you can have a low cost, low waste party.

If outside isn’t an option for you, just make sure you do your research. Our local YMCA hosts fun kids’ parties and the fee supports all their other local services. If your kids are older, try a craft store or painting activity place; the kids get something meaningful to take home that they created themselves, so you can skip the cheap goodie bags.

Do you have other tips for reducing waste and trash at birthday parties? Put them in the comments!