Stars, Stripes, And Sustainability For A Smarter Fourth Of July

The Fourth of July is a time to gather, grill, spend with people that you care about and celebrating freedom, community, and the joy of summer. It is also a great opportunity to reflect on what it means to honor the country and take better care of it. This year, more Americans are choosing to celebrate consciously by finding easy and joyful ways to reduce waste, travel smarter, and lighten their footprint, without losing the spark of the season of course.

Every Fourth of July, the skies glow with fireworks, grills sizzle with burgers, and highways fill with millions of travelers eager to enjoy America’s Independence Day. Alongside the celebration comes an environmental cost of excess waste, emissions, and air and water pollution. Waste generation spikes significantly during summer holidays, with single-use plastics, food waste, and packaging leading the charge. The good thing is that with intentional choices, Americans can honor the land of the free without compromising the planet.

One of the most significant yet overlooked contributors to the holiday’s environmental toll is travel. Domestic air travel typically surges during the Fourth of July weekend, and according to the International Air Transport Association, air travel is projected to be 5.8% in 2025 a reduction from from 10.6% in 2024.

Cool Effect is a nonprofit platform that allows individuals and businesses to fund vetted carbon reduction activities, helping to offset unavoidable emissions. “Air travel is a hard-to-abate sector,” explains Jodi Manning, CEO of Cool Effect, in an exclusive interview. “While Sustainable Aviation Fuel production is increasing, it’s not enough to meet the climate challenge. That’s why travelers are taking matters into their own hands.”

For example, between May and August 2024, Cool Effect saw an 81% year-over-year increase in individuals and businesses purchasing high-quality carbon offsets for their travel. “It’s a clear signal that travelers are more climate-conscious than ever,” Manning notes. “Offsetting isn’t a silver bullet, but it’s a powerful and immediate way for people to take responsibility for the emissions tied to necessary travel.”

Manning offered several actionable tips to fly sustainably this season:

1. Choose nonstop flights whenever possible. Takeoffs and landings account for most emissions.
2. Fly economy to reduce your per-passenger carbon load economy seating produces 0.58 tons of CO₂, compared to 1.69 tons for business class.
3. Pack light. Every pound counts. The lighter the aircraft, the less fuel it burns.
4. Use Cool Effect’s travel offset tool to calculate and offset the climate impact of air travel, road trips, cruises, and even hotel stays.

How to Celebrate Fourth of July Sustainably at Home This Fourth of July

While a lot of the conversation around Independence Day and sustainability focuses on travel, the environmental footprint at home is just as critical. These range from from disposable tableware and uneaten food to plastic décor and fireworks. The following highlight the other ways to celebrate Independence Day sustainably.

Ditch Disposables and Embrace Reusables

Over 561 billion disposable food service items are used annually in the U.S., according to the Plastic Pollution Coalition. Swapping plastic plates, cups, and cutlery for reusable or certified compostable alternatives, such as those made from bamboo or bagasse can significantly reduce landfill waste.

Minimize Food Waste

The Natural Resources Defense Council estimates that up to 40% of food in the U.S. is wasted. Serving smaller portions, planning menus carefully, freezing leftovers, and composting food scraps can significantly reduce waste. Sharing surplus meals through community apps like Too Good To Go helps to address food insecurity while diverting food from landfills.

Support Local and Seasonal Foods

Sourcing locally is another high-impact action and buying from farmers’ markets can help to reduce transport-related emissions and supports your local economy. Seasonal options like corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, and berries are in peak abundance and ideal for July gatherings.

Reimagine the Fireworks

Traditional fireworks have long been a staple of Independence Day celebrations, but their environmental and health toll is increasingly hard to ignore. In 2022, Americans set off an estimated 460 million pounds of fireworks, according to BBC, nearly one and a half pounds per person. These displays contribute significantly to airborne particulate matter, releasing metal particles, sulfur-coal compounds, and smoke that can degrade air quality and pose respiratory risks, particularly for children and those with asthma. Cities like Aspen and Salt Lake City are now embracing drone and laser shows which are cleaner, quieter alternatives that reduce fire hazards, eliminate chemical debris, and offer a modern, visually striking replacement to traditional fireworks

Decorate Intentionally

Single-use decorations add to plastic waste that often ends up in oceans and landfills. Instead, opt for long-lasting décor, upcycling and replacing disposable party supplies with reusables can reduce event-related waste by over 70%.

As you celebrate this Independence Day, let it be a moment of reflection on the freedom and the responsibility that comes with it. From smarter travel choices to thoughtful meals, reusable goods, and cleaner skies, each action you take has the power to protect the environment. Sustainability does not mean dialing down the joy. It means leveling up the meaning behind it, less waste, mindful choices and lower emissions. This Fourth of July, celebrate boldly, celebrate joyfully, and celebrate consciously.