Embracing a sustainable St. Patrick’s Day: Tips and activities for an eco-friendly celebration

St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated worldwide with parades, festivals, and plenty of green-themed fun. However, these celebrations can have significant environmental impacts, including excessive waste, plastic decorations, and increased carbon emissions from travel. This year, consider making your St. Patrick’s Day more sustainable by following these eco-friendly tips and activities that help reduce waste and promote responsible consumption.

Choose sustainable attire

Instead of purchasing new holiday-specific clothing, consider these alternatives:

• Shop your closet: Wear green items you already own instead of buying something new. The fashion industry contributes to 10% of global carbon emissions, and emissions from textile production are expected to increase over 50% by 2030¹.
• Thrift shopping: Find second-hand green clothing at local thrift stores, reducing textile waste and water consumption.
• Clothing swap: Organize a swap with friends to refresh your wardrobe without contributing to fast fashion waste.

Choosing these options reduces waste and supports the circular economy.

Decorate responsibly

Holiday decorations are often single-use and made from plastic. Instead, try these sustainable alternatives:

• DIY decorations: Create your festive designs with materials like paper and fabric.
• Natural elements: Incorporate potted plants, like shamrocks, that can be enjoyed year-round.
• Reusable items: Invest in durable decorations that can be stored and reused each year.

In the U.S., 82.2 million tons of municipal solid waste come from containers and packaging annually, accounting for 28.1% of total MSW generation². By choosing sustainable decorations, you can help reduce this footprint.

Serve eco-friendly meals

Food production is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. This St. Patrick’s Day, consider:

• Plant-based dishes: Traditional Irish dishes like colcannon (mashed potatoes with kale) or soda bread can be made vegetarian or vegan, significantly lowering environmental impact.
• Local ingredients: Support local farmers by purchasing fresh produce, reducing transportation emissions and supporting sustainable agriculture.

Eating more plant-based meals could reduce food-related greenhouse gas emissions by up to 70%³.

Drink responsibly

Alcohol is a big part of St. Patrick’s Day, but it’s important to drink sustainably:

• Choose local brews: Support local breweries that use sustainable practices and avoid the emissions linked to transporting imported beers.
• Skip dyed beverages: Artificial food colouring can have negative environmental and health effects.

The global brewing industry generates significant CO₂ emissions annually⁴. Choosing sustainable options can help lower this impact.

Reduce waste at gatherings

If you’re hosting or attending a party:

• Use reusable tableware: Opt for cloth napkins, real plates, and silverware instead of disposables.
• Provide recycling options: Ensure guests can easily recycle bottles and cans.
• Compost food scraps: Reduce landfill waste by composting biodegradable leftovers.

Proper waste management could prevent a substantial amount of plastic waste from entering landfills or the environment.

Travel green

• Public transportation: Reduce your carbon footprint by taking the bus or train.
• Carpool: Share rides with friends and family.
• Active transport: Walk or bike to events when possible.

The transportation sector accounts for nearly 29% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions⁵. Choosing eco-friendly transit can make a big difference.

Engage in green activities

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with environmentally friendly initiatives:

• Plant a tree: Honour Ireland’s “Emerald Isle” reputation by planting trees to support reforestation.
• Community clean-up: Organize a local park or neighbourhood clean-up.
• Educational workshops: Attend sustainability-focused events to learn more about conservation.

A single mature tree can absorb up to 48 pounds of CO₂ per year⁶. Planting trees can make a long-term environmental impact.

Choose eco-friendly entertainment

• Attend local events: Support green parades and performances that emphasize sustainability.
• Host a green-themed movie night: Watch documentaries about environmental conservation or Irish culture.

By making small, conscious choices, we can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in a way that honours both Irish traditions and our planet. Sláinte!

1. “Fast Fashion and Emissions: What’s the Link?” Earth.Org, 2023, https://earth.org/fast-fashion-and-emissions-whats-the-link/#:~:text=the%20fashion%20industry%20contributes%20to,by%20over%2050%25%20by%202030 
2. “Containers and Packaging: Product-Specific Data” EPA, 2024, https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/containers-and-packaging-product-specific 
3. “A plant-based diet is better for the environment” proveg.org, 2023 https://proveg.org/5-pros/pro-environment/a-plant-based-diet-is-better-for-the-environment/#:~:text=On%20a%20global%20scale%2C%20if,current%20dietary%20practices%20are%20maintained
4. “Carbon dioxide emissions of the leading beer brewing companies worldwide in 2023.” Statista, 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1410242/carbon-dioxide-emissions-of-leading-beer-breweries/
5. “Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions.” EPA, 2023, https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions
6. “Trees: A Solution to the World’s Most Pressing Problems.” Arbor Day Foundation, 2023, https://www.arborday.org/perspectives/trees-solution-worlds-most-pressing-problems