Throw a green Super Bowl party with LED lights and local beer

Super Bowl parties are always a great time but can create a lot of waste. Paper plates, garish decorations, and  power hungry TVs waste a lot of resources and energy. Simple choices can help you make your party easier on the planet.

A major source of party related waste is paper. Paper plates are convenient but very wasteful. Opt for everyday plates that can go in the dishwasher. You’ll save some cash and keep paper out of landfills. If you don’t have enough, ask guests to bring extra plates. Paper decorations are also popular but they only get used once. Go for colorful LED lights in your favorite team’s colors. Pack up the lights after the game and reuse them during the holiday season.

When it comes to beer, it pays to read the labels. Organic beer has started to hit the shelves next to the major brands of brew. If you can’t find organic look for locally brewed beer. Not only does the beer help your local economy but it has a very short transport time compared to the major brands. The Brewers Association has a searchable list of brewers in every state.

Party foods like Buffalo wings or pizza bites can be expensive and come with bulky packaging. Try an old standby, chili, instead. Vegetarian chili is a tasty and cheap alternative to meat based recipes. Take a trip to your local farmer’s market to stock up on locally sourced ingredients. If the recipe calls for canned beans use less expensive dried beans. They are sold in baggies rather than cans and reduce packaging, possible exposure to BPAs, and saves space in your pantry.

The biggest part of the day has to be at kickoff when everyone gathers around the TV. A lot of people wait until Super Bowl time to purchase a new TV, a phenomenon that retailers have caught onto in recent years. LCD and LED TVs are popular choices because they use much less energy than their plasma cousins. While sales are popping up online and in store, grab some TV buying tips from Consumer Reports.

Making recycling a priority on game day isn’t hard. Make sure there are clear spots for beverage bottles and other things that can be recycled or tossed in the compost bin. If a new LCD TV arrives before the big game, make plans to recycle it or donate it to a worthy cause.