Memorial Day Weekend: 10 Ways to Enjoy While Respecting the Environment

 

Memorial Day is a time to remember those who served and sacrificed for our nation. It’s also a time when families and friends gather to show love for one another, celebrating the Memorial Day weekend as the unofficial kick-off to summer. This year, let’s honor our heroes while respecting the beautiful country they fought to protect.

In this article, you will find several simple and sustainable ways to enjoy your barbecue, parade, or community festival while being mindful of the environment.

Opt for Eco-friendly Transportation: Consider carpooling, biking, or using public transportation to reduce carbon emissions and traffic congestion.

Choose Sustainable Food Options: Support local farmers by opting for locally sourced, organic, and seasonal food for your gatherings, which also helps reduce your carbon footprint.

Avoid Disposable Products: Use reusable plates, cups, and utensils instead of disposable ones. Say no to plastic straws and bring your own reusable water bottle.

Minimize Food Waste: Plan your meals carefully to avoid excessive leftovers. Compost food scraps or donate excess food to local food banks.

Go Solar: If you are hosting an outdoor event, use solar-powered lights and decorations to save energy.

Respect Wildlife: When enjoying nature, keep a safe distance from wildlife and avoid disturbing their habitats. Do not feed or approach wild animals.

Leave No Trace: Clean up after yourself and dispose of trash properly. Leave the environment as you found it, or even better.

Reuse Decorations: Decorate your party with recycled decorations to reduce waste sent to landfills.

Choose Natural Bug Repellents: Opt for natural bug repellents to protect yourself from insects without harming the environment.

Spread the Word: Share these eco-friendly tips with your friends and family to encourage others to make sustainable choices this Memorial Day weekend.

To learn more about how you can do your part to keep America beautiful, click HERE to find an affiliate near you.

About Keep America Beautiful®:

Keep America Beautiful®, the nation’s leading community improvement nonprofit organization, inspires and educates people to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment. Established in 1953, Keep America Beautiful® strives to End Littering, Improve Recycling, and Beautify America’s Communities. We believe everyone has a right to live in a clean, green, and beautiful community, and shares a responsibility to contribute to that vision. The organization is driven by the work and passion of 700 Keep America Beautiful® affiliates, millions of volunteers, and the collaborative support of corporate partners, social and civic service organizations, academia, municipalities, elected officials, and individuals. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin, and YouTube. Donate and take action at kab.org.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

McCall Vrydaghs

Keep America Beautiful®

communications@kab.org

Published by McCall Vrydaghs
May 22, 2024

Join Our Newsletter