SPC News Release

Put a little green in your red, white and blue celebration

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (July 1, 2009) – St. Petersburg College’s Office for Sustainability said Wednesday there are a number of ways to add some green to America’s most red, white and blue holiday.

Jason Green, SPC’s sustainability coordinator, said Americans will light up more than 60 million barbecues and will roast about 150 million hot dogs and 890 million pounds of chicken and red meat on the Fourth of July weekend.

“A typical party of thirty guests can create 80 pounds of waste,” Green said. “It’s estimated that Americans using their grills on July 4 will create the same amount of carbon dioxide as if 2,300 acres of forest were burnt.”

There are other environmental problems associated with the celebration of the Fourth, he said. Fireworks contain potassium perchlorate, which gets into the soil, air and water and causes damage to the thyroid gland. Other ingredients include such heavy metals as barium and copper, which are toxic.

So what are the best ways to celebrate the holiday season in an environmentally friendly way? Here are some ideas:

For July 4 parties, use real plates, silverware and cloth napkins and stay away from paper napkins, disposable paper plates and plastic utensils. If you must use disposable plates, buy plates that are biodegradable. In fact, some disposable plates are made from corn, potato and sugar-cane pulp.
Throw a potluck party to share resources and carpool.
Prepare meals and desserts with locally grown organic ingredients and free range grass fed meats and poultry.
Balance your meat dishes with more sustainable vegetable-based items.
Provide recycling bins for glass bottles, cans and plastic.
When BBQ-ing, use natural gas grills -- they pollute less than charcoal grills. To make matters worse, over-charring meat produces toxic chemicals in the food itself.
Don't shoot off polluting fireworks at home; instead, go to one of the city- or county-sponsored events.
Try a natural insect repellent. Frequently reapply basic essential oils like lavender, rosemary and cedar wood. These oils can trick insects into thinking you’re a plant.
If you must use a DEET based insect repellent, choose products with less than 20% DEET. Never apply over cuts or wounds; never apply on infants or use if you are taking any medications; don’t spray in enclosed areas; and wash skin with soap and water after use.
Use environmentally friendly cleaning products and cloths or micro fiber rags to clean up after the party.

To learn more about the sustainable | SPC initiative, visit www.spcollege.edu/sustainability or call Jason Green at 341-3283.

July 01, 2009