The long days of summer have finally arrived. With them comes pool time, dinner on the deck, backyard games, and the smell of grilled foods in the air. The atmosphere invites a party, but as the headcount rises we are often tempted to shift towards red Solo cups and styrofoam plates for convenience. After all, nobody wants to wash 50 plates. But with a little planning and some conscientious purchasing, your next barbecue can be eco-friendly as well as fun! Here are a few of our favorite products that  offer a better solution for single-use waste.  

Repurpose 100% Compostable Plant-based Utensils

With an impressive 5-star rating, we think these utensils are worth every penny. Coming in at just under $ .13 each means that your guests can enjoy their cake and save the planet too. These utensils naturally compost within months and are made from a corn-based plastic called PLA. Reviewers report that they are strong so you don’t have to worry about breakage either (Broken Fork is not a cake flavor for a reason).

Earth’s Natural Alternative Wheat Straw Fiber, Bagasse (Sugarcane) Tree Free 9″ Plate, 50 Pack

For a painless $.08 each, stock up on these for your next event. They are an add-on item, meaning that you can only get them at this price if you’re already placing an Amazon order for $25 or higher (not hard to do!) Over 300 peeps have given them an average 4.5-star rating and said they are durable, which is always a concern with paper plates. No trees were harmed in the making of this product because they are made from an otherwise discarded wheat stalk and sugarcane fibers. It almost sounds like we could eat the plate itself, but we’re not quite that weird.

Emerald Compostable Cold Cups (Pack of 1000), 9 oz, Clear

Did you say wine? Like 1000 glasses of wine? Sounds good. Especially at around $ .08 each. We admit that’s a lot of cups, but would your friends really think less of you if you stick some in their Christmas basket this year? Since we know you have like-minded friends, perhaps someone would like to split an order with you. They are plant-based, compostable, BPA free and they even use water-based ink for the logo. Thanks Emerald!

Biodegradable Paper Straws, 200 Count

Fun and colorful without the plastic! For around $ .03 each you can use these for all your beverages and perhaps have some left over for craft projects, all without strangling ocean wildlife with plastic debris.