Birthday parties are exciting occasions, especially for the little ones. As any party planner knows, throwing a successful birthday celebration takes time and preparation.

Although using disposable birthday supplies and decorations may be easier, these products rarely last or get reused. Do this every year, and the waste piles up at the landfill--not to mention the added expense.

Luckily, there are many ways to host a more sustainable birthday party! With a greener planning approach, we can reduce party waste. Check out Rumpke’s top 5 tips on how to plan an eco-friendly birthday party.

1. Sustainable Invitations & Gift Packaging

With the guest list made, it’s time to send out the invitations. Consider one of these eco-friendly options for birthday invites:

- Buy paper-only cards that can ultimately get recycled by the recipient. Remember,    cards with glitter, foil or plastic aren’t recyclable
- DIY invites--for shorter guest lists, get creative with the kids and make your own invites  with scrap paper and decorative materials
- Go paperless—send out digital invites using any number of free websites, with text and email capabilities
- Use social media to reach out to guests

Wrap Gifts in Recycling Packaging

In the invite, ask the attendees to wrap their presents in recyclable packaging such as newspaper, brown paper bags or fabric. Other reusable gift packaging materials include:

- Cardboard boxes
- Gift boxes
- Shoe boxes
- Candy boxes
- Craft paper gift wrap

2. Eco-Friendly Decorations & Table Settings

While birthday-themed decorations at the store look festive, they are usually made from low-quality plastics that quickly end up in landfills. Repurpose household items as eco-friendly décor:

- Fill mason jars with flowers, leaves or rocks as centerpieces
- Use fabric or paper to construct a colorful garland or banners
- Glue colorful tissue paper to glass jars with tea lights inside as lanterns

After big parties and events, our waste bins are usually full of disposable tableware. By reducing these items, we can better protect the environment. Try out the following alternatives:

- Paper or cloth table covers—guests can use markers to write message. Decorated fabric covers can be a special birthday keepsake
- Household dishware—use your own dishware and cups. For larger celebrations, borrow extras from friends and family

3. Long-Lasting Party Favors

Giving out party favors is a great way to thank guests for coming. Choose something that everyone can reuse after the party and generate less waste, such as:

- Fabric pouches or paper bags as goodie bags
- Temporary tattoos for the little ones
- Plant or herb seed starter kits
- Set up a photo opportunity section using a fabric tapestry at the party—print or e-mail photos after as birthday tokens

Group Craft Activities

Bring everyone together with an engaging craft to design and customize their favors. Kid-friendly craft projects include:

- Friendship bracelets—using thread or bracelet kits from the store
- Bead keychains
- Making tie-dye shirts
- Rock painting
- Decorating reusable canvas tote bags
- Origami flowers or animals

4. Properly Prep and Store Meals

Improper food preparation and storage causes unnecessary food waste. Avoid spoiling any food by considering these options:

- Make a shopping list—look at the attendee list and plan how much to buy
- Buy in bulk—avoid excess packaging from individually wrapped meals and snacks
- Place snacks like popcorn, candies and chips in large serving bowls
- Keep drinks in pitchers
- Use air-tight containers for leftovers
- Freeze leftover food and cake
- Give away leftovers—ask everyone to bring a container
- Make it a potluck—ask guests to bring a specific dish
- Compost leftover scraps in the backyard or local compost

5. Provide a Recycling Bin

Encourage everyone to recycle with a designated recycling bin. Don’t have a recycling container at home? Make one yourself in three steps:

1. Using a cardboard box, a wire or wicker basket or a laundry basket
2. Line with fabric or trash bag
3. Tape on a “recycling” label
4. Bonus: include Rumpke’s acceptable items graphic

Bring your recyclables to a recycling drop-box site. Contact your local solid waste authority to find your nearest location. Please do not put any fabric or plastic bags into the drop-box container.

Learn more about Rumpke's acceptable recycling items.

Let’s Celebrate!

Celebrating a birthday doesn't have to be detrimental to the environment. With our tips for an eco-friendly birthday party, you can still have a fun and memorable celebration while being conscious of all the waste that it’ll produce. From choosing sustainable decorations and gifts to reducing waste and supporting local businesses, there are many simple yet effective ways to make your next birthday party more environmentally friendly.

No matter how you celebrate, the wonderful memories are the most important. Building more sustainable habits keeps our environment healthy for more birthdays to come!

Check Us Out!

To keep up with the latest recycling news, follow Rumpke on Facebook, Instagram and X.

Author: Leah Dietle, East Area Communications Assistant