NEW ORLEANS – Keep Louisiana Beautiful wants to remind everyone that there are clean, green ways to help the environment at your next tailgate event:
Top Ten Green Tailgating Tips
• Stop the solo cups. Opt for reusable cups, dishes and cutlery. Check out a thrift store for inexpensive plastic dishes to build your own tailgating kit. Or you can also start smaller by switching to plates that are biodegradable and compostable.
• Green your grill. You may be surprised to learn that propane fuel has the lowest environmental impact. This may be tough to here for grilling purists, but this study shows that propane burns cleaner than charcoal.
• Recycle. Learn the recycling policies in your area by searching your for zip code on Earth911. Then make it easy for your guests by setting up color-coded bags to separate trash from recycling.
• Join a team. Contact your local Keep Louisiana Beautiful affiliate to learn how they may already be helping to clean up after games, or organize litter cleanups in your area.
• Buy in Bulk. Buy snacks and drinks in large sizes and containers to reduce waste. Anything in a “snack size” means more plastic that will end up in the trash.
• Shop local. Reduce your carbon footprint by buying local brews and snacks. Check out your local farmer’s market or grocer for locally grown organic products.
• Cut down on the cars! Take public transportation, carpool, walk or bike to the event. You’ll reduce harmful emissions and reduce the traffic on the way home.
• Reuse your gear. Create something new out of those old team t-shirts that you’ve acquired over the years. How about stitching together a spirited tablecloth that you can reuse for every game.
• Plan ahead. Map out a plan with friends and guests for who’s brining what, so that you don’t end up with more food or supplies that might go to waste.
• Be an Everyday Hero. If you think your school or team could use more recycling, composting or trash receptacles, get a group of friends together to raise awareness in your community and take action. Keep Louisiana Beautiful is asking each Louisiana resident to be an everyday hero, an individual whose exemplary efforts, large and small, help to keep our state beautiful.
Hear more about topics like this at the Keep Louisiana Beautiful annual state conference, October 1-2, 2015, in Lafayette, LA.
