Step into 2022 with a Sustainable New Year’s Eve

3 minute read

• New Year’s Eve celebrations let us ring in the new year while appreciating what we did in the year that’s ending

• These celebrations produce tons of non-recyclable waste and unnecessary carbon emissions

• You can celebrate more sustainably by refusing single-use plastics, reusing decorations you already have, serving vegetarian/vegan local foods, carpooling, and more! 

New Year’s Eve is a day to reflect on the past year and look ahead into the future. We celebrate with friends and family and make resolutions for the new year. One of the unfortunate outcomes of all these celebrations is the amount of waste they create. The celebration in Times Square alone produces a whopping 50 tons of garbage, composed of confetti, party hats, tinsel, food containers, and much more. We outline ways you can celebrate more sustainably to ring in 2022! 🎊

Invitations

Ditch the paper invitations and instead send out Evites; you’ll save paper and the emissions associated with mailing physical invitations. And many evite platforms allow you to easily track RSVPs, so you can plan food and drinks according to how many people are coming.

Decorations

To reduce waste, reuse Christmas decorations that have a wintery, New Year’s vibe. You can also make DIY decorations using things from nature, like pine cones and pine needles. Opt for low lighting from soy candles, or if your party is outside, use solar-powered lights and lanterns. 

Many of the decorations and toys associated with New Year’s Eve create large amounts of waste and potential pollution. Avoid buying party poppers and noisemakers – you’ll likely use them for less than a minute and they will either decompose in a landfill for hundreds of years or end up in our waterways. Also, avoid glitter which is just small pieces of plastic that you’ll find around your house well into February.

Instead, make your own noisemakers, with a jar and rice, or another method you can find on Pinterest. If you really love glitter, there are eco-friendly glitters you can use instead. 

Tableware

Avoid single-use plastic cups and cutlery. Instead use your regular tableware or find compostable options. If you don’t own enough tableware, thrift stores always have a huge selection of affordable options.

Food

Try to plan ahead and buy local and organic food, if possible. You can also opt for mostly vegetarian/vegan fare to reduce your party’s carbon footprint. A veggie tray with a few types of hummus is a great healthy option to provide some balance with heavier foods. 

Have tupperware ready for leftovers. Either store them away for yourself for the first week of the new year, or you can even give them away as party favors.

Drinks

Champagne is the classic New Year’s Eve drink of choice. Did you know that sparkling wine can only be called champagne if it was created in Champagne, France – an area northeast of Paris? If you plan on serving champagne at your party, or if you’re bringing a bottle to a friend’s event, try a champagne with a Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne certification (VDC). This certification is earned by applying sustainable development practices to viticulture in order to minimize the impact on the air, climate, water, soil, biodiversity, and landscapes. 

If you’re not a champagne fan, but still want something bubbly to sip into the New Year, Organic Authority put together a list of sustainable sparkling wines. And if sparkling drinks just aren’t your thing, one of Ecodrive’s partners, Nosotros, makes premium-quality Tequila. And they plant one tree through us for every purchase. For other sustainable spirits, check out Insider’s list.

For non-alcoholic drinks like soda, buy large packs in aluminum cans and make sure there is a clearly marked recycling bin at your party. Lemonade makes a great mixer, consider making your own instead of buying it in plastic bottles. It saves money, reduces plastic waste, and you can control how sweet it is! Here’s a simple home recipe.

Clothing

It may be tempting to get a whole new fancy outfit for New Year’s Eve. But before you go shopping, take a look at what you already have in your closet. You likely already have an outfit you love and look great in. If you’re feeling uninspired by your own clothes, borrow from a friend, hit up a thrift store, or even rent an outfit. 

And if you still don’t have anything to wear, buy from a sustainable brand and incorporate it into your wardrobe. Avoid sequins and other glittery clothes which are just pieces of plastic that will eventually end up in a landfill.

Fireworks

Fireworks release toxic chemicals that harm wildlife. Additionally, the loud sounds disturb wildlife and send many dogs and cats into distress. New Year’s Eve is the second most common day for dogs to run away in the US, only behind the Fourth of July. The loud sounds can also be distressing to children and people with PTSD around loud noises. Avoid setting off your own fireworks, instead watch an organized show, many large shows are broadcasted on TV or the internet.

Transportation

Encourage your guests to take public transportation or carpool. Make sure that each car has a designated driver, if drinking alcohol is involved in your party. Partygoers can also share an Uber with friends. 

Resolutions

Make one of your New Year’s resolutions to be more sustainable in some way. Here are some options:

1. Carry a set of reusable utensils with you

2. Start composting kitchen scraps

3. Eat less meat

4. Take public transportation, walk or bike more

5. Buy second hand more often

6. Grow your own veggies and herbs

7. Visit local farmers’ markets more often

8. Get more indoor plants for air purification

9. Use eco-friendly cleaning products

10. Offset your travel carbon footprint (with Ecodrive!)

Happy New Year from Ecodrive! 🎉