Eco-Friendly Family Reunion

by Suzanne
(Toronto)

Our eco-friendly family reunion was fairly successful this summer, as we tried to make this the overlying theme in all departments.

We took into consideration the importance of carbon footprint reduction and asked that everyone carpool as much as possible.

We took into consideration the same idea by shopping as local as possible and stuck with organic vegetables and fruits when shopping for the assorted menu of foods. Very very limited on the meat!

People do like vegetarian dishes and fruits and can easily forego the sweets after dinner if you just put it in from of them.

We opted for natural briquettes for grilling.

Instead of disposable dishes (recycling uses up energy too) we just hauled out the everyday plates, cups and saucers and glasses. We used some disposable drinking cups for the kids, but that was to avoid breakage and injuries. The cups we did use for them were recyclable. Recycling boxes were available to teach the little ones what to do with their cups when they were finished and why.

The plastic cutlery was rewashed after dinner and will be good as new to use for next time.

We were planning on lighting fireworks since it was a holiday weekend, but instead we strung colored LED lights across the backyard. It was very pretty, provided a good soft light, and everyone soon forgot about the fireworks display. They weren't missed at all.

Our family hopes to make our next eco-friendly family reunion even better. Maybe totally meatless next time we hope.