On St. Patrick’s Day we are surrounded by green but how eco-friendly is your celebration?

New York City has the oldest parade in the country and it’s also one of the greenest with 150,000 marchers, zero cars or trucks in the parade and the majority of its 2 million spectators arriving by public transit. The Chicago River’s famous green hue now comes from natural vegetable dye. Find out how your local community can improve and then take action. Is bio-degradable confetti used? Are recycling bins provided along parade route? Here are some other “green” parade ideas.

And of course it wouldn’t be St. Patty’s without green beer. Your most environmentally friendly choice will come from a local brewery (Old Bust Head Brewing Company is an excellent choice!) and be organic if possible. Then, choose to drink draft out of a glass, rather than a plastic cup and bottles are a better environmental choice than cans.

While you’re at it, try to avoid the temptation of the Party Store and those plastic shamrock necklaces. Go pick some real clover instead!