Lisa F. Young/istockphoto
DCL
Fall means football and football means party! When you invite your friends over to watch the big game, it doesn't mean you get to shirk your responsibility to the environment. You have to put out a green spread, keep the trash to a minimum and increase fun to the maximum.
1. Supply your fellow football fans with eco-friendly beer. The New Belgium Brewing Company, based out of Fort Collins, Colorado, is just one of many companies that have been working to reduce waste and energy. Recycle the bottles after the game.
2. Serve organic snacks. Locally grown, organic snacks are healthy for those eating them. They are also better for the environment due to the lack of pesticides.
3. Keep extra sweaters available. The majority of electricity a house goes to the heating and cooling systems. Keep your heat at a minimum if any party-goers complain, give them a sweater to wear. It can even be a sweater with a team logo on it.
4. Send out your invitations via email. Don't waste paper by snail mailing them.
5. Only use reusable tableware. Go out and buy some cheap matching plates and silverware with party-time! in mind. Only break these out for parties. Clean them after the party and put them away. One of the biggest eco-offences at parties is the dreaded paper-plate-plastic-silverware-Styrofoam-cup combination.

