Red, white, blue and . . . green? This Fourth of July, don't forget to add some green to the mix and by green, we mean making sustainable changes to your holiday celebrations. Here are several simple ideas that we hope will inspire you to think differently and make positive changes to the environment this Independence Day.

Reusable Products Instead of Disposable

The Fourth of July wouldn't be the same without a picnic, barbecue, or another festive gathering, but unfortunately, with that comes a lot of waste. To cut down on the amount of garbage you send to the landfill or to achieve zero waste, forgo single-use items this year and opt for reusable products instead: reusable bags, utensils, plates, cups, etc.

Green Your Grill 

Before you fire up the grill on Independence Day, take a moment to think about how you can minimize your environmental impact by considering the type of fuel you'll be using to cook with. According to the HPBA, 62 percent of households own a gas grill and 12 percent own electric ones.  Compared with charcoal, these types of grills burn cleaner.

However, if you're in the market for a new barbecue, which HPBA expects 37 percent of Americans will be this season, then you can't get much greener than a solar-powered grill. Harnessing the power of the sun might take a little longer to cook your holiday grub but unlike gas or charcoal grills, solar doesn't require any non-renewable resources that once consumed, can't be replaced.

Cut Down on Your Meat Consumption 

Cutting down on using grills that use non-renewables is important in reducing your carbon footprint, but if you're really wanting to make an impact, simply say "no" to the bacon. Animals such as cows, pigs, goats, sheep, and other livestock produce more methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, than other animals such as chickens, turkey, and fish.

If you're a meat lover, you might find it hard to go cold turkey on meat altogether, so start small and consider cutting down on your red meat consumption. While a plant-based diet is ideal, white meat such as poultry has less of an impact on climate change than red meat does.

Do you have any eco-friendly holiday tips for the Fourth of July?