In a world where convenience often comes wrapped in plastic, throwing a party that’s kind to the planet might sound challenging. But celebrating sustainably doesn’t mean compromising on fun, food or style. An eco party is not about what you can’t have, it’s about making choices that reduce waste, support local resources and leave a lighter environmental footprint. With a little planning and creativity, an eco-friendly party can be just as festive (if not more so) than a traditional one.
No matter what type of party you’re planning, this blog post includes ideas that will help make any celebration sustainable. From invitations to gifts, and everything in between, we’ve got you covered! Just keep reading.
Eco-friendly Party Invitations
The first step to any celebration is inviting your guests, which is the perfect place to start going green.
Digital invitations are undoubtedly the most sustainable option. Platforms like Paperless Post, greenvelope.com or even a simple WhatsApp or email message can save paper and reduce waste. Plus, online platforms often offer the option to import your guest list from email and track RSVPS in real time. So, what’s not to like?
Well, OK, we get that sometimes you want a paper invitation. But, if you really must use them, at least consider recycled paper or, better still, seed paper which guest can plant afterwards.
Use your invitations inform guests that the party is an eco-friendly event. Hopefully, this will encourage them to join you in your sustainability efforts. On that note, if you’re celebrating something like a wedding anniversary and would prefer not to receive gifts, mention this on your invitation.
Borrow, don’t buy
Parties can tempt us to buy all sorts of new things from extra chairs to fancy serving platters. But before you hit the shops, ask around. Friends, family, or community groups often have what you need, if not it’s often possible to hire the items you need. You can, for example, avoid disposable tableware at kids’ parties by using a party hire package (tableware and décor items) in your area. These are reasonably priced and often include a washing up service too.
Eco-Friendly Party Décor
Decorations bring a celebration to life, but they don’t have to be wasteful. With a little creativity, you can make your space beautiful and eco-conscious.
Nature-Inspired Décor
Make use of natural itemsaround you such as garden flowers, greenery, pinecones or branches to create stunning displays. When the party’s over, you can either compost them or let guests take them home.
DIY and reusable décor Ideas
- Fabric bunting or banners can be reused for future events.
- Chalkboard Signs: Use for menus, welcome signs or games.
- Glass jars or bottles make lovely candle holders or vases.
- Fairy lights add warmth and can be reused all year round.
- Paper Decorations: Create garlands, pom-poms or lanterns from recycled paper which can be composted or recycled after the party.
- Potted Plants and Flowers: Use potted herbs, succulents, or garden-grown flowers as centrepieces. Guests can take them home as favours, or you can reuse them in your garden.
Upcycling
This is a great opportunity to get creative with upcycling; turn old cans into planters, dried flower petals into confetti and cardboard boxes into photobooth props (or hire a photobooth with props included!). If you’re hosting a children’s party, get your own children to make paperchains from old magazines – it will keep them quiet for hours!
Ban these items!
Balloons and glitter are environmental hazards; balloons pose a serious threat to wildlife, while glitter is a microplastic that contaminates our soil, oceans, air and food; foil balloons and glitter can persist in our environment almost indefinitely.
If you’re looking for a festive pop, consider paper lanterns, reusable streamers or pinwheels instead.
Tableware – ditch disposables!
Disposable cups, plates and cutlery are among the biggest waste culprits at parties – yet there are plenty of stylish and practical alternatives you could use.
Compostable or recycled options
If you must use disposable items, look for biodegradable or compostable products made from bamboo, palm leaf, or recycled paper. Do ensure that you have access to composting though, not all ‘eco-friendly’ disposables break down in waste bins.
Reusable napkins and tablecloths
Swap paper napkins for cloth napkins and use fabric tablecloths instead of plastic ones. You can even make your own from thrifted fabric or repurposed old sheets. A good quality white damask tablecloth can be a great investment, not only for formal dinner parties, but many other occasions too. For less formal events simply layer with a patterned runner or a smaller coloured tablecloth – there’s nothing white doesn’t go with!
Eco-friendly Party Food
Food is at the heart of any party, but it’s also tone of the biggest sources of waste. However, with a few tweaks, you can serve up something that’s both delicious and sustainable.
Go local and seasonal
Choose locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. They’re fresher, taste better and support local farmers. Farmer’s markets are also great for finding produce with minimal packaging.
Minimise meat and dairy products
Consider offering a mostly plant-based menu. Even if you don’t go entirely vegetarian, reducing meat and dairy will dramatically lower your party’s carbon footprint. Veggie skewers, lentil salads, and plant-based dips like hummus or guacamole are always crowd-pleasers.
Avoid food waste
Plan portions carefully and label dishes so guests know exactly what’s on offer. Encourage partygoers to bring containers so nothing goes to waste. If you’re holding a children’s party, make the food available to any attending adults too, small children almost inevitably ditch sandwiches in favour of sweet treats and crisps if they can get away with it!
Sustainable drinks
We suggest making your own soft drinks, like fruit punches or iced teas, in large jugs or a drinks dispenser to reduce the number of cans and bottles used. Young children will be perfectly happy with diluted squash rather than individual drinks. Alcohol wise, opt for locally brewed beers or homemade cocktails.
Hire a caterer
Hiring a local caterer is a fantastic eco-friendly option – they are experts at portion sizing to avoid waste and can provide crockery, cutlery and tablecloths if required.
Interested? We have caterers available to hire right here on the PartyWizz website!
Eco-friendly party games and entertainment
Keeping guests entertained sustainably is easier than you think. The best eco games are simple, sociable and fun and they don’t require piles of plastic or paper.
Classic and Low-Waste Games
- Board or card games (borrowed or already owned).
- Outdoor games like frisbee, sack races, or scavenger hunts using natural items (like leaves or stones).
- Trivia or quiz games you can run on your phone or a whiteboard
- Organise an eco-friendly ‘fashion show’ where guests dress according to a predetermined theme and organise a catwalk to showcase the results. All clothes and accessories must be pre-owned, acquired from a charity shop, made from items like old sheets or borrowed.
Hire a professional entertainer
- Caricaturist – most offer digitally produced caricatures which can be airdropped or emailed.
- Mentalist or mind reader – no environmental impact as such, just make sure you hire someone local.
- Acoustic band – hire an acoustic band to eliminate the need for speakers and electricity.
Eco-Friendly Party Gifts and Favours
Either ditch party favours altogether (especially the plastic trinkets so often included in children’s party bags) or consider the following eco-friendly ideas:
Adult party favours:
- Small potted plants or seed packets
- Homemade treats in reusable jars
- Beeswax wraps or soap bars
- Digital photo albums after the event
Children’s party favours:
Packaged these in plain, recyclable paper bags:
- Homemade playdough – pack in small jam jars or tupperware containers
- Sunflower seeds to plant
- Homemade bracelet kit – package small wooden beads in a mini cloth bag together with a length of elastic
- Wooden yoyo
- Vegan sweets
TIP: Although birthday cake is often included in party bags, it’s better to keep it as the main sweet treat so it gets eaten at the party, thus avoiding the need to use non-recyclable paper napkins.
Eco-friendly party gifts
Adult eco gift Ideas
If guests insist on bringing a gift, ask for experiences such as concert tickets and memberships, or charity donations. A much cheaper idea is to ask for gift pledges where the giver offers a one-off service such as an hour’s babysitting, cleaning, ironing or similar.
Children’s eco gift ideas
If your child is having a lot of friends, make parents aware that this is an eco-friendly party and suggest (assuming they know each other from the school run) they pool their resources to buy one larger gift. Alternatively, if the children are very young, why not suggest gifting pre-loved toys?
Clean-Up the Sustainable Way
Once the Party’s over, ensure the eco spirit continues with the clean-up:
- Separate recycling and composting bins clearly so guests can help sort waste.
- Wash and reuse tableware, napkins and decorations.
- Donate leftovers to friends, neighbours, guests or a community fridge if available.
An eco-party isn’t about perfection, it’s about intention. Every mindful choice, from skipping plastic cups to sourcing local food, makes a difference. By planning mindfully and rethinking traditional party habits, you can create a fantastic event that celebrates not only your occasion but also the planet we all share.
PartyWizz helps you book the best entertainers and party services in UK and Ireland. From magicians and face painters to DJs and photographers, you’ll find those in your area on our easy-to-use platform. Whether you’re planning a corporate event, a wedding, kids or other private party, go to PartyWizz to find the perfect service providers in just a few clicks!
