CAIRO: The heat is unbearable, school's over, your boss expects your vacation notice anytime now. It's time for Sahel (North Coast) – it's time for parties. For those of us stuck in Cairo, indoor and garden parties are just as good! Months ago I organized an eco-party at my place, it was spontaneous and I just actively worked on reducing the carbon footprint using common sense. I'm organizing another eco-party and wanted to do it right down to the last detail, so I went rummaging where the experts make their thoughts heard. When throwing a party, food and drinks dominate most of the planning. Likewise, food waste is one of the worst eco-sins for party planning, followed grimly by plastics and decorative waste (mostly paper and plastics). We've already looked at planning a full blown eco-wedding. What about those smaller 20 to 50 people occasions? Let's break it down. Invitations: Sobering fact: the ever blunt Sierra Club estimated that we annually need to cut down 900 million trees to produce the paper we need – and sometimes only use once. Presently, almost everyone is connected to other people through electronic mediums and you can make use of this fact. Start with sending electronic invitations (e-mails, texts, Facebook messages, BBms etc) to all your guests. Just because I know you like your glamor doses, try this website on which you can be the designer of your cards and even create eco-themed e-invitations. At the Location: Host your party just before sun set to maximize on the summer blaze without having to cater to sun stroked guests. When the party stretches into night time, turn off the lights and keep it intimate with many statement beeswax candles. The lucky garden owner can start installing outdoor LED lights available at companies like RayC and CityPulse. If lights are a must, make the change now. Reduce your carbon footprint further and get a friend to jam on an acoustic guitar instead of using loud speakers and a player. Food and drinks: Think local! - Opt for local, organic and seasonal supplies * Tip: the CSA in Maadi holds monthly farmers' markets. - If it won't induce fits of sneers, opt for a vegetarian menu – as eating low on the food chain has a smaller impact on the environment. * Tip: I love Michael Natkin's yummy blog as well as Lisa's ever enticing kitchen. - Nothing beats this heat like an ice cold glass of fresh juice. Sky's the limit with the seasonal fruits being as delicious as mangoes, melons, grapes and more. - Reduce your use of plastic bottles by stuffing your fridge with cold filtered water or keep tons of ice at hand for filtered water glass jugs. - Need more cutlery or glasses? Don't opt for plastics (even if it's a kid's party!) ask your friends to loan/rent you some of theirs, or invest in new additions for your future entertainment plans. - Barbecue lovers rejoice, you shall no longer wonder which fuel is more efficient. In the battle between propane/liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and charcoal, it turns out charcoal is the bad guy. A study by the Environment Impact Assessment Review found that charcoal is almost three times worse than propane. - Compost the rest of the leftovers and use the rest of the stuffed fridge to enjoy a no-cooking week. Or ask your guests to bring re-usable containers to take home left over treats. Décor: - Need more tables just for this occasion? Rent or borrow from friends. - Make your center piece a nice presentable tree that will go back to your garden/ balcony after the party. Water it well and it'll do the trick. - Buy locally sourced flowers and arrange them in large vases that compliment the color of your party space or general theme. They'll last you a couple of nice-smelling days, then can be used in your compost heap (or disposed off in your potted plant to act as compost). - Ditch paper napkins and invest in colorful cloth ones to re-use in your future parties. Morning-after to do list: - Call Resala to collect any left over waste paper. - Call El Misbah El Modee'a NGO to collect any waste plastics, tins, aluminum. - Mix your own home made eco-friendly detergent to clean up the mess. So you've checked all the above items on your to-do list. Now its time to loosen up and party all night long- without the environment weighing down on your conscience. It's time to show your guests that eco-friends can throw smashing parties without giving up on their values! Eco Options Egypt
