For ease, we chose paper plates that would be tossed, but we also opted for substantial plastic silverware that I knew my mom would wash and reuse many more times. I don't think we were really conscious of making more eco-considerations than in years past...until it came to beverages.
At previous parties, we've stocked coolers with juice boxes and cartons of milk for the kids and cans of soda and beer for the parents. Of course, we've also had cases and cases of cooled bottles of water for everyone. My concern back then was on everyone staying hydrated. This year, my concern was a bit more environmental.
That's why, for the first time, we opted to have a big pitcher of ice water instead of many, many plastic bottles full of the same stuff. It's a little change, I know, but it honestly felt a little radical.
Making that change inspired us to make our own coffee and serve it in real mugs instead of grabbing a carton from Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts with a stack of paper or styrofoam cups that cannot be recycled.
My dad's eyes widened at the idea that we would not have two or three bottles of water or tossable coffee cups for each guest, and he said a little too loudly, "But people LOVE having their own water bottles!"
He might be right. But really, I don't think who noticed really cared that much. Filling up the pitcher, even a few times, was easier than lugging several cases of bottled water from the store to the car to the fridge to the cooler. And cleaning up only entailed collecting cups and putting the pitcher in the dishwasher, rather than chasing after pesky plastic bottles and missing caps before bagging it all up. Plus, it was better for my budget to delete that $20 or so from the party spending. It was one very small adjustment that saved a trash bag full of bottles and cups. And at the end of an exhausting day, it made me feel better.
Still, I get the resistance. Changes, even the small ones, are sometimes hard to make. We get stuck in our ways, even if we are concerned about cost, the planet, or clean-up.
We're clearly not eco-ecstatic, but we are trying to do more and more of our share. This was an easy step, I thought, and it makes taking bigger steps seem attainable.
Are you stuck on having your very own plastic water bottle?
Are you even resisting reusable water bottles?
What would it take for you to give up plastic water bottles?
A few more sips:
