If you’re feeling daunted by the thought of throwing another kids’ birthday party (paper plates, streamers, goody bags, piles of shredded wrapping paper and all), worry no more. We have the inside scoop on Eco-Friendly birthday parties: ways to ensure a happy birthday that means less stress, a smiling planet, and a smiling birthday kid!  

“Celebrating green is so easy and such a money saver. The key is to focus on meaning and fun over all the “stuff,”’ says Lynn Colwell of CelebrateGreen.net. Together, Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are the mother-daughter co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family.  

A new birthday party alternative children are turning to is called “ONE Gift, ONE Cause,” at ECHOage.com: it saves money and the environment. Gift-givers are asked to contribute their funds to a secure online contribution, eliminating the time and costs of driving, shopping and wrapping as a result. The total is split between a charity of the child’s choice, and one meaningful present selected by the child. This considerably cuts down on waste, and also means no extra toys your child doesn’t fancy, but wants to keep because they’re new. So far, these kids’ parties have prevented approximately 40,000 carbon-emitting trips to the toy store, packages from landfills, and the same number of cards with gift wrap. (www.echoage.com)

Plant a Tree or Grow a Garden
Birthday gifts can be donations to plant trees for the greening of America or anywhere else. Earthcorps, a volunteer environmental organization, accepts donations for its work in parks and public spaces. (earthcorps.org)

Hold a garden party: suggest your child enjoy the outdoors with her friends. Children can bring flowers, plants and other garden items as gifts, that they can plant on the day as a fun-filled activity.  If you don’t have your own backyard, maybe a park in your area would be happy to get a “greening” and allow your child to put a small plaque to note the contribution. The plaque could simply be a plaster cast with name and date, or a small wooden sign. It will give you both a reason to go back and spruce up from time to time.

Greening the Party Itself
Lynn Colwell outlines the basics, reminding us that each little change helps, and giving the party “a green twist” is not an “all or nothing deal. An easy way to make green party choices is to consider the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle). From invites to clean up there will be endless opportunities to take green or greener steps, using the 3Rs as guides.”

Table Service and Decorations
Every year, your daughter wants matching Disney princess plates, cups, and napkins for her birthday party, but think of all the items that go from adorable to chucked in a matter of minutes! Rethink themed paper plates, cups and plastic cutlery.  You have two options: use the read thing or go biodegradable.    

Lynn and Corey suggest, “Find inexpensive and colorful tableware at a thrift shop. What doesn’t break can be sold or donated right back! Many party companies now rent place settings in adorable, kid-friendly patterns. Renting = reusing = no waste.”   Green companies are on top of the trend. You can find biodegradable products at many retailers.  Explain to your birthday kid how she’ll be making a difference if she makes the switch. Go green by using biodegradable products that look pretty, but don’t hurt the environment. Avoid Styrofoam above all. Lynn and Corey have some favorite green companies for dishware:

Preserve  – 100% recyclable plastic tableware; Kids Konserve – sells complete party packs; VerTerra – fallen leaves recycled; WorldCentric – sugar products, corn cups and utensils Branchhome.com: recycled materials  – recycled materials

Invites and Wrapping Paper
Email invitations to your guests.  Most families have email now and it’s a direct and easier way to get an RSVP.  Suggest in your email that you are throwing a “recycled” birthday, and if the children will be bringing gifts, ask if they can wrap them in the newspaper or Sunday comics. This is perfect wrapping for plants and garden supplies as well.

For other great green ideas: Reusable cloth party hats German birthday ring  (a sweet family tradition) Soy crayon “rocks"s,  twig pencils,  and eco-play dough for party favors. Now you can avoid the massive garbage bag piled with plates, utensils and wrapping paper destined to sit in the dump for all time and your daughter can feel proud of her party being green.