7 Ways to Enjoy Labor Day Sustainably

It may be hard to believe, but summer is coming to an end and it’s time to start thinking about Labor Day 2022 celebrations! 

Labor Day is a great time to pay tribute to American workers while relishing the last few days of summer weather. But with disposable decorations, single-use tableware, and lots of beer cans, Labor Day can quickly become wasteful if we aren’t careful. 

Boston Solar will be celebrating Labor Day sustainably this year, and we’d love to have you join us. Follow these tips for a fun-filled, eco-friendly Labor Day Weekend! 

1. Volunteer for Post-Parade Clean Up 

There are plenty of Labor Day parades happening in Massachusetts this year—the Marlborough Labor Day Parade is the largest in New England! Parades are a classic way to celebrate Labor Day, but they often leave the streets covered in flyers, candy wrappers, and confetti. If you’re planning to attend a parade, consider joining a volunteer clean-up crew to help take care of the litter. 

2. Skip the Disposable Tableware 

Plastic plates, cups, and silverware are unbelievably convenient, but they get thrown away after just one use and are not environmentally friendly. For a sustainable Labor Day, commit to using reusable tableware for your party or cookout. If you don’t have enough plates or cups, think about sourcing some extras from a local thrift store. Or, make your party BYOC (bring your own cup!) and ask your guests to come prepared with a reusable cup from home. 

3. Support a Local Park 

Massachusetts has an abundance of local parks, lakes, and trails that make outdoor space accessible. Take advantage of these beautiful spaces and help support Massachusetts parks and trails by taking your Labor Day celebrations outside to a favorite local spot. Just remember to pack out what you pack in and leave no trace! 

Need a little inspiration? Check out our favorite hikes and trails in Massachusetts. 

4. Make (and Reuse) Your Own Decorations 

Decorations make your Labor Day party more festive, but disposable streamers, confetti, and balloons aren’t great for the environment. Instead of buying new decorations, make your own using supplies you already have. Even better, store them carefully after the party and use them again next year. 

5. Make it Easy for Guests to Recycle & Compost 

Hosting a Labor Day cookout or pool party? Make it as easy as possible for your guests to dispose of their beer bottles, soda cans, and food scraps sustainably. Set up a recycling station for cans and bottles, and a compost bucket for scraps. If there are leftovers at the end of your party, send your guests home with a plate to prevent food waste! 

6. Walk, Bike, or Carpool to Your Labor Day Celebration 

Transportation is the largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Help cut back this Labor Day by walking, biking, or carpooling to the celebration. If you have guests coming to your house to celebrate, encourage them to do the same! 

7. Install Solar Panels at Your Massachusetts Home 

Burning fossil fuels for energy has an extremely negative impact on the environment. Making the switch to renewable energy sources like solar power is one of the best ways to help create a sustainable future. If you want to celebrate every holiday sustainability, consider installing a solar energy system at your home. Home solar panels and solar batteries allow you to significantly reduce your reliance on fossil fuels and power every party with clean, renewable energy. 

Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) has been increased to 30%, which means you can reduce your federal tax liability by 30% when you go solar now! Boston Solar has been empowering Massachusetts for over 10 years and can help take advantage of this amazing opportunity. We are a local solar installer near you in Massachusetts and are proud to help Massachusetts maintain its status as a leader in solar energy. 

Celebrate Labor Day sustainably with a solar panel installation! Call 617-858-1645 or contact us to get a free solar panel cost estimate.