It’s almost St. Patrick’s Day! To mark the day when we celebrate the Emerald Isle and everyone is just a little bit Irish, I’ve got 17 ways to be green on St. Paddy’s Day (or any day).
Of course, I’m talking about being green in the eco-friendly sense but, in keeping with the theme of the day, I’ve kept the list as festive as possible. You can easily apply these tips to any gathering or celebration.
This post was originally published in March 2021. It was updated and republished in March 2026.
My Irish heritage
St. Patrick’s Day is a special day for my family. My mother was born in Wexford, Ireland and most of her family still lives there.
As I’m sure you can imagine, my family has enjoyed many a great St. Patrick’s Day celebration over the years. I always look forward to putting on my green and raising a glass of Guinness with my mum.
17 ways to be green
Without further ado, here are 17 ways to be green on St. Patrick’s Day.
- The Irish are second largest tea drinkers in the world. Brew your cuppa using a tea ball or reusable strainer.
- Use reusable shopping bags to pick up your party supplies.
- Choose a draft Guinness, beer or cider. It’s the most eco-friendly option.
- Return your empty beer bottles and Guinness cans.
- Skip the straw or sip your beverage with a reusable straw.
- Wear green clothes you already own, or buy them at a thrift store.
- Use cloth napkins as you enjoy your Irish stew and soda bread.
- Wipe up spills with reusable cloths instead of paper towels.
- Use real plates, glasses and cutlery for your celebration.
- Make your coffee at home. Mark the occasion by adding a shot of Bailey’s.
- Package your Irish treats in containers instead of plastic bags.
- Skip items with glitter. Most glitter contains micro-plastics which are horrible for the environment.
- Save your green decorations to reuse next year.
- If you’re going out to celebrate, walk, bike or take public transit. You’ll be able to enjoy more than one Guinness, Harp Lager or Magners Cider without worrying about driving home.
- Send electronic greetings instead of paper cards.
- When the party is over, wash your green shirt in cold water and hang it to dry.
- Spring is almost here so why not plant something green, maybe even a Shamrock? Check out Here’s How to Grow a Shamrock Plant from Country Living.
More tips for green living
If you’re looking or more easy ways to be green, check out these posts:
- Simple and easy tips to ‘go green’ in your everyday life (Collab post)
- 21 simple kitchen swaps to be more eco-friendly
- 5 reasons to swap your bottles for bars
What are your plans for St. Patrick’s Day? I’ll be visiting my mum and we’ll raise a glass of Guinness and toasting our Irish relatives. Slainte!
What are your plans for St. Patrick’s Day? Tell us below.
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Love the use of the green theme to connect with your passion for our planet. Happy St Paddy’s Day, Fiona!
Thanks, Ab. Happy St. Paddy’s Day to you too! ☘️
Great list, and with a touch of Irish humour. 😀 I believe i already do quite a few of these things, even the glitter – can’t stand the stuff, so avoid it already like the plague. Happy St Patrick’s Day when it comes … some places here have turned it into St Patrick’s Week.
Thanks Brenda. Yes, I avoid glitter too. It just gets everywhere.
I love the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, but our local university students have turned it into a massive street bash that consumes all of our emergency resources. Local officials have tried to contain it, with no success. Now we get busloads of students coming in from other universities. It’s a nightmare. I avoid the university area on March 17. The forecast for Tuesday is a high of -7C and snow, so I’m hoping that will keep some students indoors.
Let’s hope so.
As everyone else has said, this is so clever! Happy St. Patrick’s!
Thanks, Erin! May the luck o’ the Irish be with you. ☘️
Clever! I so appreciate these tips! And look at you in that big green hat! 🌞
Thanks Lisa! I love to dress up and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. So much fun.
Happy St Patricks Day! I remember being on holiday over St Patricks Day a couple of years ago and there was Irish music playing in the pub I was staying at downstairs, it was so lovely! These are all great tips for all days! x
Thanks Jenny. It’s such a fun day and the whole green thing ties in well with my blog. I couldn’t resist a St Paddy’s Day post.
I love how you created a helpful blog post but stuck with the theme of the day, very creative! These ideas on how to be eco-friendly, not just on St.Patricks Day, but for any celebration and even day-to-day activities, are brilliant. 😊
Growing a shamrock plant is a lovely idea, especially because it is such a beautiful plant.
I hope you had a lovely St. Patricks Day; thank you for sharing your tips! Lovely photo too.😊
Thank you so much. I’m a big fan of St. Patrick’s Day and it fit so well with my green theme, I couldn’t resist.
This year’s celebration was definitely quiet. Now that my work day is done, I’m enjoying a Guinness. ☘️💚
Haha! What a clever way of using the green of St. Patrick’s Day with eco-living. Great photo, too. Happy St. Patrick’s Day.
Thanks Rachel! Yes, everything is green today. LOL