Eco-Friendly Tailgate Guide
With the Fall semester in full effect, this can only mean one thing: college football & tailgates are back! Now, while East Carolina Pirates love our tailgates and parties, these events can often lead to huge amounts of waste. So, here are some tips you can use to do your part and help reduce unnecessary waste this tailgate season.
Consider bringing reusable or recycled paper flatware & silverware: I get it; opting in for disposable plates and silverware is super easy and convenient! But let’s say you pick up a pack of 50 plastic plates. By the end of the day, that’s 50 plastic plates going to the landfills that will remain there long past the time we graduate. Packing some flatware that you already have (and can later throw in the dishwasher) or that is made of Recycled Materials is a great alternative.
- Mainstays 10-Inch Eco-Friendly Recycled Plastic Dinner Plate, Black
- EcoSmart by Dixie Disposable Paper Plates, 100% Recycled Fiber, Brown, 8.5 in, 25 Count
Get creative about drinkware: Switch things up and ditch the red solo (single-use) cups. This gets you and your guests involved in reducing your event waste and becomes a great conversation starter (bonus points for anything pirate-themed)! You could try an “anything but a cup” party, or a “bring your favorite mug” party to make things fun.
Keep your Drinks & Ice Cold with an Insulated Cooler: This one is a simple way to reduce water waste. Instead of sending someone out to pick up more bags of ice throughout your event, make your ice last all day by opting for a good-quality insulated cooler. Packing your cooler makes the biggest impact on keeping ice cold. Ice lasts longer in a cooler by filling it to the top and keeping your food/drinks at the bottom. Also, don’t worry about draining the ice water throughout the day, as it helps keep things cool.
Opt for Aluminum & Recycle: It is better to choose aluminum canned drinks for individual beverages as they are infinitely recyclable. Just be sure to set up a separate bin or bag for your recyclables. If you’re on campus, there are bins in most common areas labeled for recyclable materials; if you live off campus, put recyclables in your blue curbside bin.
Support Local Businesses: Pitt County has some great breweries and most of them sell to-go beer to satisfy your gameday thirst! Think global, drink local!
Plan your Clean-Up Ahead of Time: This must be emphasized because we are ALL responsible for keeping our campus, Greenville, and surrounding environments clean and beautiful. Pack extra garbage bags and bring cleaning rags/towels from home that you can reuse throughout the day for any messes.
Tailgates are a great time (and an even better time when you’re a Pirate), but they can lead to tons of waste! Even by following a few of these tips, you can help make a significant impact on your surrounding environment.