Green ideas for St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day is best known for its parades of revelers decked head to toe in green. Green, after all, is the official color of the holiday. However, those showing off their love of green can take it one step further and implement environmentally friendly, or green, practices for their celebration and beyond.

The United States Census bureau reports that each year roughly 26 billion pounds of corned beef is sold for the holiday and 2 billion pounds of cabbage. Sales for chrysanthemums, particularly of a lime green shade, come in at around $25 million. The holiday is certainly one of excess, but there are many ways to minimize a lot of it and incorporate some eco-friendly ideas into St. Patrick's Day celebrations -- or any celebrations for that matter.

* Shop locally. Find out if you can purchase meat for corned beef from a local butcher shop or from a nearby cattle farm. Find a recipe for creating a brine in a recipe book or online and make your own corned beef dinner that allows you to control the ingredients. Visit a farmer's market to get potatoes and cabbage from a nearby farm.

* Brew your own beer. To some, St. Patrick's Day wouldn't be the same without a refreshing beer. While it may be preferable to enjoy a classic brew that can trace its lineage to Ireland, imported beers may be more expensive and carry with them a big carbon footprint. There are many different resources for brewing your own beer and the equipment needed to get started with this home venture. For example, check out Brew Your Own at www.byo.com.

* Reduce reliance on disposable products. When hosting a party, it is easy to turn to disposable tablecloths, cups, dishes, plates, and other accessories for their convenience. But tossing these items straight into the trash once the party ends can have lasting effects. Instead, invest in a set of reusable items that can be stored away and taken out each and every year you celebrate. From green-colored goblets to shamrock-speckled napkins, there are many reusable products that can add the flair you need.

* Be mindful when parading. Many communities host their own St. Patrick's Day parade. With hundreds or even thousands of people traipsing through the neighborhood, there is the potential for some environmental impact. Watch where you walk so that you don't trample grass or flowers that may be budding. Don't dispose of trash in the street where it can become litter. Avoid the use of confetti or balloons, which will have to be cleaned up afterward and may end up damaging the environment. Carpool to the parade and ensure the majority of participants are marching down Main Street and not riding in emissions-producing floats.

* Use your leftovers. Although corned beef is often a taste enjoyed once or twice a year, that doesn't mean you should simply discard the leftovers from a St. Patrick's Day meal. Dice up the corned beef to add to omelets. Slice it thinly and make a reuben sandwich complete with rye bread and mustard. Turn potatoes into soup or croquettes. Leftover cabbage can be turned into sauerkraut or cole slaw.

St. Patrick's Day impacts the environment every year. But with a few simple changes, eco-conscious revelers can enjoy a festive and environmentally friendly holiday.