Poppin’ bottles, wearing glitter mascara and waking up in uncharted territory probably doesn’t spring to mind when you think of a green lifestyle. But no one’s perfect, and everyone has to start somewhere. I see no reason why an honest, good intentioned individual shouldn’t try to take a few measures to reduce their carbon footprint after stepping out on the town.

Greening Your drink.
When trying to get green, one handy rule can pretty much be applied to anything – reduce. After that, reuse, then as a last option, recycle. This is where greening your party style can become tricky. If you are like me and unabashedly view overindulging as an inevitable and necessary part of life, this means you might need to investigate a greener drinking strategy. As a general guideline for greening your drinks, think local, seasonal, and recyclable.

When it comes to wine, eco friendly options abound, (organic wine sales at the LCBO increased 13.5 percent last year!) and you can usually snag a decent size box for under $20. Organic wines, like food, use no chemicals in the growing of their grapes. Frogpond, the only certified organic winery in Ontario, uses all handpicked grapes and traditional techniques. You can snag a half litre bottle of their Reisling at the LCBO for $11.95. Not too shabby.

There is an endless debate about wine packaging – to hit the bottle or the box? Unfortunately, Canada doesn’t refill wine bottles like they do in Europe, which is the most eco friendly. Studies have proven that the bottle has the bigger impact. Tetra Paks are portable and practical, and unlike bottles, they are rectangular, so no space is wasted when shipping. They weigh less than glass, are collapsible, use no labels or cork, and totally practical for those times when you need to toss one in your backpack and hop on your bike. Bandit wines from California all come in Tetra packs and are super easy on the wallet.

When it comes to beer, try to support local craft breweries. These are small organizations that use traditional brewing methods and ingredients to produce handcrafted beers. They don’t rely on wack ad campaigns that thrust hot girls in your face, it’s more about celebrating nature and local ingredients. This means reduced transportation. Craft beer tends to be a lot more interesting than conventional stuff. Check out the craft beer section in the LCBO, or the Ontario Craft Brewers site for a thorough selection of craft breweries in the province, and what they brew. In case your neighbourhood LCBO craft section sucks, keep in mind that Toronto’s own Steam Whistle is a super green brewery. They are Bullfrog powered and super eco conscious in waste and water use. Not to mention, they make a damn fine pilsner.

Tread Lightly – Take the TTC.
In case you’re big ballin’ and like to bust out a grand entrance in a limo or an Escalade when you hit the club, rethink your massive carbon pumping accessories. Arrive in style on the tram instead. Public transit is much greener way to go.

Also, while biking is a light-treading way to get around, don’t bike if you’re planning on getting trashed. A) You might forget where you locked it, B) you could fall on your face, or C) you could actually get fined up to $110, or thrown in the drunk tank. Not a good look.

If You’re A Park Drinker, Remember to Pick Up After Yourself.
There’s no reason why enjoying nature can’t be part of greening your nightlife. Just remember not to leave empty bottles and party residue strewn around the rare green spaces in the city. I had a friend who always cut up his plastic beer rings in the interest of the critters who might get caught in it after disposed of – a small gesture for our wild counterparts.

If You Remember To Do One Thing Before You Pass Out, Turn Off the Lights.
Falling asleep with all your clothes, makeup, and the lights on too many nights will make your skin and utility bill suck. Invest in some natural makeup remover wipes that take off all your makeup in one fell swoop. But most importantly, you don’t want to be burning the midnight oil when you’re all passed out in a dreamless slumber. Take a stumble around your apartment before crashing and make sure to turn off all the lights, record players, and hair straightener.

Go to Punk Shows.
After some close observation, I really believe that punks are by far the greenest party animals in the city. Punk girls tend to get so creative with their wardrobe, reworking old clothes, making patches and belts out of old scraps and safety pinning together pretty much everything to make something with unique new flava. Gloves become stockings, soda cans become hair accessories, and Converse shoes never die. Check them out and be inspired. Punks embrace DIY with a knack like no other and for that I applaud my grime loving sisters.

A Green Hangover.
When rising from a drunken slumber looking like an owl with bags under your eyes the size of Santa’s sack, you’re probably thinking the colour of your face is about as green as you’re going to get right now. Try to get through the first couple hours with these natural remedies and by cocktail hour, you will totally thank yourself.

Taking Ibuprofen or Acetominophen when you have a stream of liquor flowing through your bloodstream is a recipe for trouble. Both are blood thinners, and when mixed with alcohol, can intensify dizziness and drowsiness. In other words, they make your hangover worse. They are also harsh on your stomach lining and liver – the two organs that took a beating last night. The main reason you have a headache when you’re hung over is because you’re dehydrated. Pound some water, better yet, coconut water. It’s a rich source of natural electrolytes, actually containing more than a sports drink.

Instead of a greasy breakfast, restore your bod with some fresh fruit and complex carbohydrates. Bananas are rich in magnesium and potassium, which are severely depleted during heavy drinking. Blend one with some antioxidant-rich berries like acai and blueberry, some protein powder and soy milk for a fortified smoothie. It also feels awesome to sweat out the toxins, but if the thought of going for a jog or doing an hour of hot yoga makes you want to reach for the bottle again, hang out in a sauna or steam room for as long as you can handle the heat.

And if all this sounds utterly unpalatable to your darkest hour upon rising, well, a little hair of the dog never hurt anyone.

~ Kait Fowlie