It is not as difficult as it may seem to reduce a wasteful carbon footprint, especially when it comes to disposables associated with summer parties and festivals.

By now all of you own reusable bags and water bottles, right? Of course you do. If you don’t, then prepare for a quick shopping trip. I swear it will be painless. We cannot reduce our wasteful use if we do not have the necessary tools. Everyone should have these basics on hand to throw into a car or carry on the bus or bike at a moment’s notice. It only takes a few more seconds to grab your stash of reusable bags and a water bottle.

Reusing is even more eco-friendly than recycling. It takes almost no energy to wash out a container compared to the energy it takes to recycle it ... or processing a virgin material.

Let’s start with the reusable bags. I admit it did take me longer than it should have to get on board with these. I just couldn’t take the old stand-by of cumbersome cotton canvas bags. Then one day a dear friend gave me my first compact, reusable bag that stuffed into its own pouch. I was hooked! I always have these bags in my car and purse. There are many companies making them, and they are available all around the Chippewa Valley as well. They come in a kaleidoscope of colors, and materials including recycled PET plastic, recycled cotton, organic cotton, nylon, and hemp.

The other noteworthy item is the reusable water bottle. Now, I prefer the stainless steel variety, but you do have other choices such as glass, aluminum, and BPA-free plastics. A remarkably handy bottle is made of nylon, and can fold up to slip into your pocket, purse, or backpack when it’s empty. Our family likes this one for travel and hiking. It is exceptionally light and seems perfect for summer festivals.

Those are the basics; from there you can find a whole array of products to replace your disposables. It does take thought and an initial investment, but the payoff is worth it.

Do you know about reusable stainless steel and glass straws? Stainless steel straws come straight or with a bend like a bendy straw. Glass straws come plain or decorated with colored glass dots. Kids go crazy over both.

Using reusable containers cuts down on a lot of waste. I have been using stainless steel containers with silicone seals. Another reusable is Pyrex, but it is much heavier than stainless steel. There are also replacements for plastic bags in your picnic lunch. Many brands of reusable sandwich and snack bags are out there in a variety of colors and patterns. Reuse jars for sauces and other liquids. Reusing is even more eco-friendly than recycling. It takes almost no energy to wash out a container compared to the energy it takes to recycle it. That said, recycling still saves a boatload of energy compared to mining and processing a virgin material.

As always, buying organic, local food reduces waste and energy use. It is a much shorter trip (hence less fuel burned) from a local farm to the farmers market or nearby store. Buying organic also uses less petroleum because most fertilizers and pesticides/herbicides are petroleum-based. We can now find local, organic foods in many grocery stores, in the Chippewa Valley.

Replace paper or plastic disposable plates and cups with melamine, enamelware, stainless, or reusable bamboo versions. I have also found funky, new, revamped sporks – a vast improvement on the old version. In a pinch, there are compostable disposables, too.

Look for fabric remnants, flat sheets, or second-hand table clothes to replace plastic disposable tablecloths. Using napkins made out of remnants is a more festive and colorful to wipe your mouth than dull, wasteful paper napkins.

Never forget about second-hand resources for picnic/party items. Goodwill, Salvation Army, Savers, and garage sales can be a bountiful boon for these items, and you can save green while being green. Cliché, but true.

At the end of your fabulous event, make sure you recycle whatever you can. If the event does not have recycling, complain and take your recyclables with you. It is the least we can all do to save and conserve.