Tips for a More Sustainable, Worry-free Outdoor Celebration - With Plastics

Independence day may be over, but Americans are still celebrating summer in backyards across the country, entertaining family and friends, grilling out, eating, drinking ... all of which can result in more than a bit of rubbish. But not all your waste needs to go to the trash can. To help make outdoor celebrations more sustainable—without sacrificing safety, style, or convenience—Plastics Make it Possible® offers the following tips:

• When entertaining outdoors, many people choose shatter-resistant plastic tableware to avoid the worry and the waste from breaking a fragile wine glass or ceramic plate. Today there are lots of innovative and stylish plastic plates, cups, serving dishes—even cooking tools—for outdoor entertaining.
• Since recycling programs vary across the country, determine in advance what plastics and other materials can be recycled in your community. More than 90 percent of Americans have access to plastic bottle recycling, and it's more than 40 percent for non-bottle rigid plastic containers like yogurt cups and deli takeout containers.
• Here's the key: place a clearly labeled recycling bin next to the trashcan to make recycling easy for you and your guests—you won't have to fish the recyclables out of the trash at the end of your party.
• Return plastic bags and product wraps to participating grocery and retail stores (such as Wal-Mart, Target, and Lowe's) for recycling. This includes the plastics that wrap water bottles, paper towels, diapers, etc.
• Close the recycling loop: look for tableware made with recycled plastics, which helps create new uses for this material.

Source: www.plasticsmakeitpossible.com