Green Your Parenting: Birthday Bash

Being a parent makes the initiative to live sustainably feel that much more important. But it can be a difficult balancing act. To make things a little simpler, this week we're providing easy green parenting tips so you can reduce your kids' impact on the planet they stand to inherit.

Tip #4: Throw Your Child a Low-Waste Party

Kids' birthday parties are fun, but you're left with garbage bags full of crumpled wrapping paper and limp balloons. Combat consumerism by planning a low-waste party. Start by sending recycled paper invitations or evites. Since it's not a party without presents, suggest that your child's friends bring small, inexpensive, or even gently used gifts (wrapped in fabric or a reusable bag). Try a potluck instead of ordering pizza, and if serving cake and ice cream on ceramic dishes to bunch of six-year-olds seems like a recipe for disaster, use biodegradable plates and cutlery.

Tell us: How do you plan an eco-friendly birthday party?