Organizing a sustainable party: this is how you do it

Why choose a sustainable party?

We are becoming increasingly aware of our impact on the environment — and rightly so. An average party produces a surprising amount of waste: disposable tableware, paper invitations, food waste and decorations that end up in the trash after one evening. But that doesn't have to be the case. With a few smart choices you can organize a party that is just as festive, but much less damaging to the planet.

Digital invitations instead of paper

Let's start at the beginning: the invitation. A traditional paper invitation costs on average two A4 sheets per guest, plus envelopes and stamps. Multiply that by 80 guests and you quickly have a pile of paper that could have been better left as a tree.

With Invitedd you can send beautiful digital invitations that look just as luxurious as printed copies — but without paper, ink and transport. Guests respond with one click via the built-in RSVP, and you keep track of everything clearly in your dashboard. Better for the environment and easier to use.

Location: think local and green

The choice of location has a major influence on the sustainability of your party. Consider these options:

• Outdoor locations — a garden, park or beach requires less lighting and heating
• Local locations — choose a location that is close to most guests to minimize travel distances
• Green venues — more and more locations are working with solar panels, green energy and separated waste
• Home — the most sustainable location is one you already have

Sustainable decoration that you can reuse

Disposable decorations are the largest waste generator at parties. Go for alternatives that you can reuse, lend or compost:

• Dried flowers — last for months and are beautiful as decoration
• Fabric streamers — washable and reusable for multiple parties
• Candles — atmospheric lighting without electricity, choose vegetable wax
• Potted plants as a centerpiece — guests take them with them as a souvenir
• Recycled paper — for business cards or menus, if really necessary

Tip: borrow decorations from friends or rent them through a party rental company. What you borrow today, you don't have to throw away tomorrow.

Food and drinks: local, seasonal, less meat

Catering is often the largest cost item and has the greatest environmental impact of a party. These adjustments will make a big difference:

• Choose seasonal vegetables and local products — less transport, more taste
• Offer a vegetarian or vegan menu — even as an additional option it makes a huge difference
• Calculate portions accurately — use your RSVP list via Invitedd to know exactly how many guests are coming
• Donate leftover food — via Too Good To Go or a local food bank
• Serve tap water — The Netherlands has excellent tap water, add lemon or mint for a festive touch

Gifts: quality over quantity

Avoid a mountain of unwanted gifts by sharing a clear wish list. Or go a step further: ask guests to contribute to an experience instead of a physical gift, for example a weekend away, a cooking workshop or a good cause. With Invitedd's wish list you can make this easy to communicate.

Transport: smart travel to the party

Encourage guests to travel together. A few concrete ideas:

• Organize a carpool via a group app
• Choose a location that is accessible by public transport
• Put up bike racks if it's a summer party
• Arrange a shuttle bus if the location is remote

The result: a party to be proud of

A sustainable party does not have to be austere or boring. On the contrary: by making conscious choices, you create a party with more character, more personality and more meaning. Your guests will appreciate it, the planet will thank you, and you'll have a lot less mess to clean up afterwards. Win-win-win.