This 4th of July, when planning your holiday gatherings, making the effort to do a few things mindful of your environmental impact will help keep our nation and the planet more beautiful.

• Use reusable dinner/flatware and eliminate the waste from paper and plastic products.
• Buy local produce from your farmer’s market.
• Use a chimney starter instead of lighter fluid when you light your charcoal grill.
• And of course, don’t forget to recycle your party waste.

Have a very happy, safe and GREEN July 4!