For Americans, red, white, and blue are the colors of Memorial Day that traditionally falls on the last Monday of May.  However, you can make Memorial Day red, white and blue, green things all over you especially during your family gatherings and sporting events, picnics and barbecues.

Walk to the Sporting Events

Instead of driving the car to the sporting venue, you can just walk to it.  You will be saving the environment from car emissions and you save your wallet from high gas prices.  Besides, the exercise will be good for your lethargic body and your soul will appreciate the scenery passing by.

Carpool and Ride a Bike

If the sporting event is a long way off, say, you live in Ohio, and you want to witness the Indy 500 in Indiana, you can always carpool with family and friends.  (Or ride your bike) This way, you lessen your carbon footprint while sparing your money from gas costs had you decided to go at it alone.

Use Green Fuel

When barbecuing, opt for biofuel like corn and coconut husks as well as lump charcoal.  These fuels are perfectly recyclable and biodegradable.

Use Solar-Powered Grills

If you can afford it, you can opt for a solar-powered grill to make your barbecues.  It’s a grill designed to heat its surface through the sun’s solar power – no gas, no coils, no fuels involved.

Manual Lawn Mowing

If you want to make your lawn look good for guests but want to go green, opt for the manual lawnmower instead of the gas-powered and electric-charged mowers.  You will get your arm exercise while lessening your energy consumption.

Organic Cooking

If you are not a fan of organic foods for whatever reason, Memorial Day is the time to be one.  You ought to include organic fruits and vegetables on your menu for a healthier, greener commemoration of your dearly departed Americans.

Be in Season, Be Local

Instead of cooking with exotic, imported foods, you ought to cook with fruits and vegetables sourced locally and in season.  You can save on grocery costs since in-season fruits have lower prices than those that are not and you lessen your carbon footprint, too.

Go Vegan

Even for just a day, try to lessen your meat consumption especially beef.  Of course, barbecues will not be the same without abundant meat but you can always substitute vegan delights like veggie kebabs.  It’s only for a day but it can help the environment, too.

Clean up Good, Clean up Green

When you need to clean picnic accessories like lawn tables and chairs, use green cleaners with all natural, all-biodegradable ingredients.  And there is no excuse either as these green cleaners are worth every dime you pay for them!

After the picnic at the park, clean up by using biodegradable trash bags.  You can also take home the food scraps for the compost pit.

Spend it Outdoors

Memorial Day, after all, is meant to be spent outdoors in glorious weather!  Not only will you be able to enjoy Mother Nature but you can save on energy costs needed to run the appliances, the air conditioners and the Jacuzzi had you chosen to stay cooped inside.

Soon enough, Memorial Day will be green, red, white and blue, Earth all over you!

Photo by: Jason Fugate -
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