Guest blog post by Isabel Mack, who runs Party Kit Network
Planning a party can be a whirlwind with so many details to manage, and eco-friendly choices often end up at the bottom of the list. But what if you could throw an amazing party while being kind to the environment?
With my experience running a party kit for the last five years, I've identified five easy ways to make more eco-friendly choices without adding stress to your planning. These tips focus on reducing waste, conserving energy, and choosing sustainable materials—and some might even save you time and money!
1. Ditch the Paper Plates For Good
Paper plates and plastic cups have become common party items. Over the last 40+ years, it has become so normalised to use a plate for a party and simply throw it away. Popular for their low cost and convenience, disposable tableware does come with hidden downsides.
We use an estimated 721 million single-use plates and 2.7 billion pieces of single-use cutlery in England each year. That’s a huge amount of resources used to produce and transport these products, only for them to be discarded after one use. These items are difficult to recycle due to the materials used and contamination from food waste. Here in Winchester, most of that waste will end up in one of Hampshire’s incinerators. That’s why opting for reusable tableware is a quick win for the planet.
If you don’t already have enough plates for your party, here are some options:
Borrow extra cups and plates from a friend or neighbour.
Host a bring-your-own party where guests bring their own plates.
Or hire a party kit from Party Kit Winchester. Not only does this provide easy access to reusable tableware, but all hires also include a washing-up service, giving you the convenience of disposable tableware without the waste—a win for the planet
2. Planning Eco-Friendly Party Food Menu
The food we choose to serve can greatly impact the carbon footprint of a party. Foods like meat and cheese have a much higher carbon footprint due to the energy and resources needed for their production. Additionally, food often generates a lot of single-use plastic waste due to packaging, which is one reason I love Earthian.
Here are some easy ways to create a greener party menu:
Reduce the amount of meat and cheese on the menu and add more grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Consider which foods are in season—there’s a great guide at eatseasonably.co.uk.
Opt for unwrapped fruits and vegetables and buy organic when possible.
Check out Earthian’s range of packaging-free snacks and baking ingredients.Â
These simple changes can make a big difference for the environment while still offering delicious options for your guests.
3. Ways to Reduce Food Waste
Together with disposable tableware, waste from leftover food is often a large part of any party’s waste footprint. The fear of under-catering is very real for many of us, which can lead to a lot of uneaten food.
Food waste has serious consequences for the environment. In fact, if food waste were a country, it would be the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases. But with a bit of planning, we can significantly reduce food waste at our parties:
Create a menu plan and try to be realistic about quantities needed, especially if your party isn’t at a regular mealtime. Online calculators can help you work out what you might need.
Write a shopping list based on your menu to reduce last-minute panic buying.
Plan ahead for any leftovers. Ask guests to bring food containers to take home extra food, or use old takeaway tubs to pack up any food that can still be eaten. Some party food can be frozen—even crisps and cake!
4. Gifting Eco-Friendly Party Favours
If you plan to give out party favours, try to pick something that will be useful for most guests.
For children’s parties, one of my favourite alternatives to the traditional party bag is to give a book and a slice of cake. I often buy bundles of nearly new books from Vinted or eBay and select books that match the party’s theme. Not only is it a gift that children can enjoy again and again, but they can easily pass it on to another reader. It’s also a great way to reduce the cost of hosting a kids’ party.
For adults, little boxes of seed balls, organic tea blends (Earthian has some great loose leaf teas), or a miniature potted herb might be well received or easily re-gifted. Personally, I wouldn’t give things like reusable coffee cups or reusable straws as many people already have plenty.
5. Plan for Rubbish
You might find this a strange tip coming from someone who campaigns against unnecessary waste, but the truth is, even with our best efforts, there will inevitably be some rubbish leftover after a party. The best way to reduce the impact of this rubbish is to plan ahead.
Take a bag or box with you for any recycling so that it doesn’t get lost in the general rubbish. This makes it easy to take home and add to your household recycling or drop off at a local collection point.
If you have access to a home compost bin, take a tub with a lid for any food scraps rather than putting them in with the general rubbish. Or find a local compost bin accepting waste at ShareWaste. The good news is that by April 2026, we should have household food waste collection in Winchester!
By following these tips, you can throw an amazing party while being kind to the environment. Happy partying!
About Isabel Mack
Isabel is a mum of two based in Winchester. In 2019, she set up the Party Kit Network, a non-profit social enterprise dedicated to reducing waste at parties. The network brings together hundreds of people who host party kits of reusable tableware for their local communities. Together, they help avoid thousands of single-use items at parties every week.
Isabel runs Party Kit Winchester and lends out kits of reusable tableware across Winchester, from South Wonston to Colden Common. You can book a party kit online at partykitwinchester.co.uk  Â
Facebook: www.facebook.com/partykitwinchester
Instagram: www.instagram.com/partykitwinchesterÂ
Comments