It's Easy Being Green, Even During the Super Bowl

Contrary to popular practice, big parties don't need to mean big waste. Here are a few ways to green your Super Bowl party.

Start with the menu

Aside from the game, the day obviously revolves around food. Don't skimp on taste—just green the menu where you can.

- DIY takeout: You'll cut down on so much waste, plus it'll be cheaper. From spring rolls to pizza to burritos, you can probably make at home any of the dishes you'd normally be tempted to order out. Try any (or all) of these 25 takeout favorites.

- Make your own tasty appetizers: Try your own Hot Pockets, or any of these five chips-and-dip combos, including your own tortilla chips, lemon-walnut hummus, and homemade guacamole.

- Make your own Tex-Mex chili. (Last year my boyfriend, who is not veg, made chili simply by substituting Gimme Lean into his favorite beef-based recipe. He didn't tell people, and about half the guests were asking for the recipe at the end of the game—they were (pleasantly!) surprised to learn it was soy "meat."

- Make your own buffalo wings: Try making tempeh wings—they look amazing (scroll down for the recipe) or with seitan for the eco-friendliest of wings. If you must use the real thing, try to find the most local and humanely-raised chicken you can. You can also order mock meats from the company that supplies a lot of the favorite veg restaurants in NYC. Then you just have to cook 'em and top with some sauce. (And if you're in NYC, you cannot beat the Foodswings buffalo wings; they also sell the sauce on its own. Which is what makes the dish, after all.)

- Buy local: If you're going to order out, try to do it from a restaurant that serves local food, and ask if you can bring in your own containers and have them fill those instead of new disposables. Who knows, they may even give you a discount!

- Bake it Green: Bake your own desserts.

WATCH VIDEO Super Bowl Super Snacks!