Celebrate a Safe Fourth of July With a Sustainable BBQ
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Time to Read: 8 min
The Fourth of July brings all the classics—grilled food, sparklers, and that buzzing feeling of summer in full swing. I think about late-night picnics, sticky hands from melted popsicles, and the wide-eyed wonder on my kids’ faces watching lights dance across the sky.
But with all the fun, I always try to keep two things in mind: keeping my kids safe and being kind to the planet they’re growing up on.
This year, try celebrating with a sustainable BBQ that keeps the joy high and the waste low. Skip the plastic, pick planet-friendly swaps, and build a day your family will remember—for all the right reasons.
About Ahimsa
Founded by a pediatrician and mom of three
Stainless steel is the only kid-friendly material recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics
We are guided by a Scientific Advisory Council comprised of environmental and medical experts, guiding us in creating the safest products, following the latest science and promoting policy to protect human health and our planet
Want to know more? Check out our story and our products.
Sustainable 4th of July: From Smoky Skies to Sparkling Smiles
Fireworks have been a go-to tradition for celebrating the Fourth of July. The bright bursts across the night sky spark excitement—especially for kids. But all that sparkle comes with a cost to the planet.
Each firework releases a mix of chemicals into the air, including fine particulate matter (PM2.5). These pollutants stick around longer than the show does, adding to air pollution and cutting visibility. That’s especially tough for anyone with respiratory issues.
Then there’s the mess left behind. Firework debris can be harmful to wildlife, littering parks, beaches, and waterways. It can even throw off bird migration and nesting.
This year, try swapping the fireworks for something just as fun, without the pollution. Light up the night with a laser show or a drone display. Or turn your backyard into a glow-in-the-dark scavenger hunt.
You’ll still get those wow moments — just without the smoke and noise. A sustainable BBQ and a planet-friendly celebration go hand in hand.
Mealtime Essentials
From BBQ Bonanza to Eco-Feast: Sustainable Fourth of July Eats
Fourth of July usually means burgers on the grill, way too much potato salad, and a pile of single-use plastics left behind. It’s festive, sure—but it doesn’t have to come with a side of guilt.
There are two big reasons to skip disposable plastics: your health and the environment. Most single-use plastics end up in landfills and take hundreds of years to decompose. Over time, they break down into microplastics, which can pollute our oceans and even enter the food chain.
There’s also your food to think about. Disposable plastics can release harmful chemicals into your meal—especially with hot or acidic dishes. Research shows that substances like BPA can migrate from plastics into food when heated or exposed to acid, like citrus or vinegar.
The good news? A sustainable BBQ is just as delicious. You don’t need plastic forks or flimsy plates to enjoy your cookout. Reusable dishes are sturdier, safer, and honestly—prettier. Our Ahimsa stainless steel plates look great on a picnic table and hold up to even the sauciest ribs.
Start with the Fourth of July. Then keep it going. Try taking on a plastic-free July—see how many swaps you can make. Small changes now lead to better habits later. And cleaner plates for everyone.
Ditch the Disposables
Swap out flimsy plastic plates and cups for reusable ones. Grab a set of plates, bowls, cups, and utensils made from stainless steel or another solid, long-lasting material. Ours are lightweight, dishwasher-friendly, and come in fun colors that kids actually get excited about.
It's better for the planet but it’s also better for your family. No plastics means no weird chemicals sneaking into hotdogs, pasta salad, or lemonade.
Paper towels? Forget those too. Cloth napkins add color to the table, do a better job of cleaning sticky hands, and don’t end up in the trash. Toss them in the wash and they’re good to go.
And who says you even need utensils? Plan your menu around foods that are easy to grab and go. At our house, I lean into finger foods. Bite-sized sandwiches on toothpicks, fruit skewers, veggie sticks with hummus, sliders, even baked mac and cheese bites — gone in a flash, no forks required. It makes prep simple and cleanup even easier.
Red, White, Blue... and Green: DIY Decor for a Patriotic Picnic
Food’s covered—now bring the vibe. Instead of tossing up plastic decorations that head straight to the trash, make your own with stuff you probably already have. It's more fun, less waste, and way more personal.
Scraps of fabric or old bandanas? Turn them into colorful buntings. Just cut, tie, and string them up. No sewing required, and you can use them again next year.
Paint a few mason jars or cover them in tissue paper for easy centerpieces. Fill them with wildflowers from your yard or on the way to your picnic. It gives everything that homemade, feel-good charm.
Get the kids on paper chain duty. Use old magazines, newspaper, or cereal boxes. Or hand them some pinecones and paint for a quirky nature-themed touch.
The cool thing about making your own decor? It sticks around. Fabric garlands get folded and saved for next year. Painted jars get filled with fairy lights in the fall or end up storing markers and kitchen tools. You’ve got decorations and memories all rolled into one.
Celebrate America, the Green Way
You can throw a Fourth of July celebration that’s full of flavor, fun, and care for the planet—all at the same time.
Swapping single-use for reusable plates, decorating with natural materials, skipping plastic—it’s easier than it sounds. Small changes make a real impact, especially when they become habits.
Sustainable doesn’t mean boring. It means getting creative, thinking ahead, and showing your kids that honoring tradition and protecting the earth can go together. This year, let the fireworks take a backseat to something even better: a celebration that actually reflects the kind of future we want to give our kids.
Dr. Manasa Mantravadi
Dr. Manasa Mantravadi is a board-certified pediatrician whose dedication to children’s health drove her to launch Ahimsa, the world's first colorful stainless steel dishes for kids. She was motivated by the American Academy of Pediatrics’ findings on harmful chemicals in plastic affecting children's well-being. Ahimsa has gained widespread recognition and been featured in media outlets such as Parents Magazine, the Today Show, The Oprah Magazine, and more.
Dr. Mantravadi received the esteemed “Physician Mentor of the Year” award at Indiana University School of Medicine in 2019. She was also named a Forbes Next 1000 Entrepreneur in 2021, with her inspiring story showcased on Good Morning America. She serves on the Council for Environmental Health and Climate Change and the Council for School Health at The American Academy of Pediatrics. She represents Ahimsa as a U.S. industry stakeholder on the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) for the Global Plastics Treaty, led by the United Nations Environment Program. Dr. Mantravadi leads Ahimsa's social impact program, The Conscious Cafeteria Project, to reduce carbon emissions and safeguard student health as part of a national pilot of the Clinton Global Initiative.
She is dedicated to educating and empowering people to make healthier, more environmentally friendly choices at mealtime. Her mission remains to advocate for the health of all children and the one planet we will leave behind for them through real policy change within our food system.
Dr. Manasa Mantravadi is a board-certified pediatrician whose dedication to children’s health drove her to launch Ahimsa, the world's first colorful stainless steel dishes for kids. She was motivated by the American Academy of Pediatrics’ findings on harmful chemicals in plastic affecting children's well-being. Ahimsa has gained widespread recognition and been featured in media outlets such as Parents Magazine, the Today Show, The Oprah Magazine, and more.
Dr. Mantravadi received the esteemed “Physician Mentor of the Year” award at Indiana University School of Medicine in 2019. She was also named a Forbes Next 1000 Entrepreneur in 2021, with her inspiring story showcased on Good Morning America. She serves on the Council for Environmental Health and Climate Change and the Council for School Health at The American Academy of Pediatrics. She represents Ahimsa as a U.S. industry stakeholder on the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) for the Global Plastics Treaty, led by the United Nations Environment Program. Dr. Mantravadi leads Ahimsa's social impact program, The Conscious Cafeteria Project, to reduce carbon emissions and safeguard student health as part of a national pilot of the Clinton Global Initiative.
She is dedicated to educating and empowering people to make healthier, more environmentally friendly choices at mealtime. Her mission remains to advocate for the health of all children and the one planet we will leave behind for them through real policy change within our food system.
More Mealtime Essentials
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I use stainless steel instead of plastic? Is stainless steel better for health?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a report in July 2018 suggesting ways that families can limit exposure to certain chemicals at mealtime, including “the use of alternatives to plastic, such as glass or stainless steel, when possible.” The report explained that “…some additives are put directly in foods, while “indirect” additives may include chemicals from plastic, glues, dyes, paper, cardboard”. Further, “Children are more sensitive to chemical exposures because they eat and drink more, relative to body weight, than adults do, and are still growing and developing.” While stainless steel items meet the recommendation to avoid plastic products in children, Ahimsa® products have the obvious advantage of not breaking like glass.
Is stainless steel better for the environment than plastic?
According to the Steel Recycling Institute, steel can be recycled over and over and over again without losing its integrity and requires less energy to recycle than to make anew. Most plastic unfortunately ends up in landfills and it is estimated to take 700 years to decompose. Our special coloring process that allows Ahimsa® products to be fully metal is environmentally friendly, so it does not produce toxic run-off into the ecosystem.
Will Ahimsa products break or peel?
No. Our steel is durable, so it won’t break or shatter with everyday use, like glass. And it won’t peel, like other colored stainless steel products you’ve seen. We use a special process that allows the colors to naturally occur in the metal.
Which Ahimsa products are best for my little one(s)?
Our products are meant to last, you can use Ahimsa at ages 1, 8 and 18! We thoughtfully design our products to be safe for little ones and our planet while reducing consumption. Once your child outgrows the Starting Solids Set and can use regular cups and utensils, the training cup is the perfect size rinse cup in the bathroom, the infant spoon doubles as a tea stirrer and the bowl is great for snacks or as an additional compartment to our modular divided plate. Our plates are great for any age as they encourage choosing a variety of healthy foods at each meal and help visualize portion sizes easily. It’s the lasting beauty of stainless steel - grows with your child and reduces waste.
