Fourth of July weekend is here, and we are feeling all kinds of patriotic! We asked our Tampa Bay Watch team about some of their favorite ways to make the holiday more sustainable and choose planet safe options while celebrating in style:

Reuse

Make your cookout the talk of block and use reusable plates, napkins, decor and more for your 4th of July celebration. Skip the single use items if you can. If you can’t, be sure to choose products that are biodegradable and/or made out of recycled materials.

Carpool

Going to watch fireworks with friends? Or maybe heading to a party? Try carpooling if you can! Less vehicles on the road means reduced carbon emissions. Plus, who wouldn’t want to enjoy extra time with their friends? Sounds like a win-win to us!

Leave No Trace

While opting for a laser light show or a drone show will always be our recommendation, old-fashioned fireworks are a staple of the 4th of July holiday. If you must set off fireworks, be sure to clean up any debris and leave no trace. After all, our land and oceans are connected. Do your part to ensure our home stays clean.

Join a Cleanup

A number of local organizations host clean-up events the day after the 4th of July in an effort to keep our communities and beaches clean. Natural spaces like Gandy beach, local parks and more are a go-to for public celebrations and are often left in less-than-ideal shape. Signing up to volunteer for a cleanup is a fun and easy way to go green and do your part!

These are just a few suggestions, and there are so many ways to be more sustainable. Your red, white, and blue celebrations have never been greener!