Hosting a lemonade stand through Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) is a wonderful and charitable way to help all kids with cancer. Wondering how to make your lemonade stand more sustainable and environmentally friendly? There are plenty of ways to keep stands inexpensive and fun while keeping things eco-friendly! We’ve got some great tips on how you can make your lemonade stand not just yellow, but green, too!  

1.    Compost your lemon rinds

If you like your lemonade freshly squeezed, this tip is for you. 

Composting is a way for gardeners to give a second life to food scraps and other natural waste. It is a great fuel for plants. The process is simple: all you have to do is grab your scraps—lemon rinds, in this case—and put them in your compost bin or pile. Citrus can take longer than other produce to compost; but if you cut it up into smaller pieces, you can speed the process along. Also: citrus can help keep critters out of your compost pile, so that’s a bonus!  

One person’s trash is another plant’s treat. 

2.    Recycle, recycle, recycle!

Cardboard from lemonade containers, paper from signs, and all kinds of plastic can be recycled, so don’t forget this important step! Since recycling guidelines are different everywhere, make sure you check out the guidelines for your area and dispose of your items properly. 

Also, add a recycling bin next to your stand to inspire stand visitors to recycle too!

3.    Use biodegradable items 

Disposables are convenient for stands where people are quickly coming and going. However, disposable doesn’t have to mean wasteful. 

When picking out cups, napkins, and other items for your stand, opt for ones that will break down in soil. Usually packages will specify this, or you can find them at this website! This will cut back on things like plastic that will affect the environment for decades. Paper is the easiest option, but biodegradable plastic is slowly becoming more available. 

Good thing fun paper items come in all shapes, sizes, and colors! This could help your fundraiser really stand out. 

4.    Bring your own cup (or offer cups for a donation!)

Having a stand where you offer reusable cups for a donation can be a great way to raise more money for childhood cancer. Additionally, you can encourage customers to bring their own cups! You could even offer something to incentivize those who participate—a special sticker or a donation-free refill!

This is a creative way to be more eco-friendly and put the fun in fundraising! 

5.    Turn disposables into decorations

Sustainability doesn’t have to stop at the essentials. What better way to draw attention to your stand than unique decorations? 

Rather than tossing out unused plastic cups, cut vertical lines to the base of the cup to create a flower! Alternatively, you could use items in your home to make signs and crowns out of cardboard, old newspaper for paper hats or heart cut-outs, old clothes for a colorful banner, and much more. When using your artistic mind, the possibilities are endless! 

Interested in hosting your own sustainable stand?
Bringing sustainability into your stand is an awesome way to teach kids about being environmentally friendly while they learn about the importance of helping others. This way, you can give back to the community and the earth at the same time. Getting started is easy. If you want to learn more, visit this page!