Halloween parties? Thanksgiving celebrations? Christmas and Hanukkah? Yep, with summer BBQs, wedding season, and pool parties winding down, it’s time to gear up for another round of festivities. Here are a few tips to make sure your next gathering is a green one:

Dish it Up without Disposables: Catherine Zandonella, author of Green Guide Families: The Complete Reference for Eco-Friendly Parents (National Geographic Books), suggests using the plates and utensils sitting in your cupboards instead of buying disposable paper and plastics. If the idea of dishes being chipped or shattered makes you nervous, then consider dedicating an inexpensive set to use exclusively for parties. “You can reuse these for years, saving money as well as being able to cross one more errand off your list prior to party time,” she said.