This is a guest article written by Daniel Harrison, who has a great interest in eco-gadgets and getting people being a little bit greener with easy home eco tips.

Parties can be a great way of creating a lot of waste in a short time – drinks bottles, plastic plates and cups, discarded wrapping paper and so on. But there are methods you can try to make all parties more eco-friendly without breaking the bank.

Disposable products are the most convenient solution for busy people trying to plan a party. They also make cleaning up a lot easier and eliminate the risk of broken glasses etc. However, such products put strain on the earth’s environment and resources. The good news is that there are ways in which you can help to combat this waste. There is a growing selection of eco-friendly disposable products now available.

They are made from completely biodegradable sources so do not harm the environment, and they are as useful and as simple for a party as regular plastic cups and plates. You could also hire a company to provide cutlery and plates where they wash them all afterwards and take them away again, allowing you to throw an eco-friendly party without that extra effort.

An eco-friendly way to go about clearing up at the end of the party is to be constantly thinking about which items in the mess can actually be reused. For example, there may be wrapping paper in almost perfect condition, gift bags and so on that can be used again.

If you are hosting a childrens party then you are probably also going to be handing out party bags, which provides another large source of waste. However, there are companies that offer special eco-friendly bags that are recycled or reusable. When filling the bags you may also consider using products such as fair-trade items (chocolates and so on).

When shopping for your party products it may seem daunting at first. However, fair trade products are available in most supermarkets, though you may have to look a little harder for biodegradable disposable cups and recycled plastic bags. There are plenty of internet companies now specialising in environmentally friendly party items, so do your research online and you will be able to get products
delivered straight to your door in time for your party.