How to Have an Eco-Friendly 4th of July

You may be spending the 4th of July enjoying a day off and celebrating with friends and family, but that doesn’t mean you have to take a break from being environmentally responsible. There are plenty of ways to enjoy the 4th of July while keeping the planet in mind. 

Ready to join an eco-friendly celebration and celebrate red, white, blue, and green? Let’s get started!

Are Fireworks Bad for the Environment?

Traditional fireworks are constructed with toxic substances, heavy metals, and plastic. Let’s take a closer look at how fireworks are bad for the environment. 

Fireworks are Toxic to the Environment

Fireworks don’t last long, but the pollution they create does. Each year, fireworks emit enough carbon dioxide to equal about 12,000 cars. In addition to increased particulate matter that pollutes the air, fireworks release a host of other contaminants, including carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen, and sulfur dioxide. 

Perchlorate, used in traditional fireworks to increase their explosiveness, has been found in drinking water supplies, vegetation, and soil throughout the United States. It disrupts the human endocrine system and causes reproduction problems in wildlife. 

Traditional fireworks also use gunpowder, which is made of a combination of potassium nitrate, sulfur, and charcoal, along with colorants, binders, and propellents. All of these substances contaminate the environment and present health hazards to humans and wildlife. 

Fireworks Are Toxic to Humans

Barium nitrate, used for making green-colored fireworks, is one of the most toxic substances in traditional fireworks, causing vomiting and irritation to the eyes and respiratory system. It is commonly used in sparklers, which are designed to be held in your hand. 

A major environmental and health concern with large fireworks celebrations is the air pollution caused by Fourth of July displays. Even short-term exposure to smoke can make asthma and bronchitis symptoms worse, and children and elderly people are the ones most affected by the toxic haze that develops at ground level from the use of personal fireworks.

Other Dangers of Fireworks

Fire danger and noise pollution are two more ways fireworks affect the environment. Forest fires, which can devastate ecosystems and cause loss of wildlife through habitat destruction, are responsible for damaging crops, destroying people’s homes, and taking human lives. The noise pollution caused by fireworks stresses pets and wildlife, and at least 10% of people find the loud noises of fireworks uncomfortable, especially people with PTSD.

Do Eco-Friendly Fireworks Exist? 

Fortunately, there are eco-friendly alternatives to traditional fireworks. Eco-friendly fireworks are designed to burn cleanly. They have a nitrogen-based fuel, so they don’t need a perchlorate oxidizing agent.

What are Eco-Friendly Fireworks? 

Environmentally friendly fireworks replace toxic compounds like perchlorate and heavy metals with less harmful materials. Here are some of the ways that manufacturers of sustainable fireworks are changing the way they are made so they are safer for the environment:

• The toxic chloride compounds are being replaced with bromides. 

• Heavy metals like barium are being replaced with borate and boron carbide. 

• Eco-friendly fireworks are made using less plastic and metal.

• The packaging of sustainable fireworks is 100% biodegradable.

• Low-impact sparklers with wood handles are replacing metal ones.

• Green firecrackers are made without aluminum, barium, or potassium nitrate

Where to Buy Eco-Friendly Fireworks

Many fireworks manufacturers and retailers are starting to offer eco-friendly choices to consumers. Brands like Dominator Eco Fireworks make fireworks with less smoke and noise, and they use sustainable packaging materials.

Poppers are another holiday favorite, and it’s easy to find them online. Eco-friendly poppers contain biodegradable confetti, so you don’t have to worry about adding microplastics to the environment.

Support Eco-Friendly Fireworks

When it comes to eco-friendly fireworks alternatives, there is still a long way to go. There are several things you can do to support environmentally friendly solutions, which make them more likely to become readily available. 

Here are a few ideas for using and supporting eco-friendly fireworks to celebrate the 4th of July in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner:

• Don’t purchase personal fireworks. You can save money and reduce pollution by simply not purchasing fireworks to set off in your backyard, and the local wildlife will thank you for it.

• Loud fireworks are part of the excitement, but noise pollution is a problem. Choose silent or low-noise fireworks to reduce the noise impact.

• If you decide to use fireworks at your home, check to ensure no bird nests are near your launch site. 

• Contact your local and state representatives to voice your concern about the dangers of fireworks. Ask those who run your local fireworks displays to consider other options like laser shows, especially if fires are a concern in your area.

Environmentally Friendly Alternatives for a Sustainable 4th of July

Are you looking for ideas for hosting an environmentally friendly Independence Day celebration? There are lots of fun ways to celebrate the holiday in an environmentally safe way. Use these eco-friendly alternatives to enjoy a sustainable 4th of July and help protect the environment.

What Is an Eco-Friendly Alternative to Fireworks?

Here are some 4th of July party planning ideas you can try that aren’t harmful to the environment.

• Hang solar LED string lights in your yard.

• Blow glow-in-the-dark bubbles using a non-toxic glow product.

• Make elephant toothpaste to create a giant foaming reaction.

• Get a Fourth of July pinata, and fill it with biodegradable red, white, and blue confetti.

• Use eco-friendly poppers.

• Provide children with sustainable party favors with Fourth of July themes.

What Are Other Ways to Have a Sustainable 4th of July?

Backyard parties and BBQs are festive ways to celebrate the 4th of July. Here are some tips for going green this year:

• Use reusable dishes and silverware. If you must use disposables, find sustainable and compostable products.

• Feature red, white, and blue menu items. 

• Use sustainable party decorations.

• Set up recycling bins to make it easy for your guests to recycle aluminum.

• Opt for eco-friendly grilling options to reduce CO2 emissions.

• Choose vegan or vegetarian foods and compost your leftovers.

• Purchase red, white, and blue cloth napkins to replace paper towels.

A lot of holiday decorations are extremely wasteful, and they are often made with plastics. Purchase sustainable party supplies for your event so they can be reused every year, and look for objects with stars and stripes at thrift stores. 

What Are The Benefits of Being Eco-friendly on the 4th?

Big events like the 4th of July present challenges when it comes to protecting the environment, but with a little effort, you can reduce your ecological impact. It’s important to practice sustainability every day of the year by putting fewer toxic substances into the environment and helping to reduce the effects of climate change. You’ll enjoy significant health benefits and cost reductions, and you can feel good about reducing waste and pollution.

There are exciting innovations in the field of creating safe celebration supplies for holidays like the Fourth of July. Environmentally conscious innovators are working to create eco-friendly solutions all over the world, and alternatives like organic fireworks that are made with bioluminescent bubbles could take the place of loud, toxic fireworks in the future.

Many cities are turning to laser light shows to reduce the risk of forest fires and provide a sustainable way to celebrate the 4th of July, and some companies have started offering drone light shows. By celebrating the 4th in an eco-friendly manner, you can help do your part to protect the environment.