Consider going green this New Year’s

Perhaps the final event of the holiday season for people across the country is the New Year’s Eve party. A time to usher out the past 12 months and look forward to the fresh year ahead, New Year’s Eve is the day many officially say so long to the holiday season.

When the clock finally strikes 12 and the new year has officially begun, that’s the time many begin to think about their New Year’s resolutions.

One of the popular resolutions of recent years involves becoming more environmentally conscious. But adopting a more green-friendly lifestyle doesn’t have to wait till the first of January. In fact, the annual New Year’s Eve party is the perfect time to start implementing that new Earth-friendly attitude.

•Invite away but do so with the planet on your mind. Many New Year’s Eve parties are formal gatherings, requiring invitations be mailed out to prospective guests. But hosts can save gas and cut down on paper use by simply sending invitations via e-mail. Commonly referred to as “e-vites,” these e-mail invitations won’t cost you a cent, and won’t be harmful to the planet either.

•Use reusable dinnerware whenever possible. Many hosts love the convenience of disposable plates and utensils when hosting a party because it makes cleanup that much easier. However, disposable plates, utensils, cups, and other miscellaneous disposables are not environmentally friendly. If you can’t use all reusable items, make sure all disposables are at least biodegradable, which rules out plastics, foil and Styrofoam. Use napkins that are made from recycled paper as well.

•Turn the heat down to save energy and money. Because New Year’s falls in the winter months, it’s common to turn up the thermostat to ensure all guests stay warm. However, if you’re having lots of guests over, you can afford to turn the heat down a few notches, as the guests’ body heat should make up for the difference.

•Recycle cans and bottles. For most people, the tendency is to let loose on New Year’s Eve. This leaves lots of bottles and cans the next morning. Be sure to have highly visible recycling areas and encourage guests to use them. Depending on the size of your party, you might even be able to bring those recycled bottles and cans to your local recycling center and get some compensation for so doing.

•Encourage carpooling. As previously mentioned, New Year’s Eve celebrations have a reputation for getting a little raucous. With that in mind, encourage guests to carpool to your party and employ a designated driver, or to take public transportation or taxis. As a safety measure, have the contact information of several local taxi companies readily available to you and your guests. Encouraging a more responsible way to travel to and from your party could potentially save your guests’ lives, while certainly saving them money and fuel as well.