Go Green When Planning an Event
February 23, 2009
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YahooMyWebPlanning a wedding? That long-overdue extended family cookout? A seminar at the office?
Along with what to serve, think about how you serve it – and turn your event from one that generates extra trash to one that keeps the impact on the environment to a minimum.
Alice Conway, director of event management at Stratford University in Virginia, offers simple tips to help reduce guests’ “carbon footprint.”
“Each day, we are confronted with the realities of the impact that our choices make,” says Conway. “We can easily make greener choices when planning our events. That little extra effort to make sure the event is eco-friendly will pay off for generations to come.”
- Recycle all waste from the event.
- Compost the food scraps for local farms.
- Donate leftover prepared food to a food bank.
- Serve organic food that comes from sustainable sources.
- Avoid individual bottles of water. Enjoy a chance to use that beautiful crystal water pitcher you were given years ago.
- Use dishes instead of paper plates if possible. If you need to use disposables, choose biodegradable ones.
- Serve organic and Fair Trade drinks, coffee and tea.
- Give away green gifts, such as those made from recycled materials or organic fibers.
- Purchase as much food from local suppliers as possible.
Even one or two of these choices will make sure the only footprints the guests leave are on the floors.
I love your green party ideas. I am hosting an event this weekend and instead of cut flowers for the table centerpieces that last only a few days, I am planting multiple kinds of herbs together in small, galvanized buckets from the farm co-op. Not only will the centerpieces be beautiful, but after the party is over I can plants the herbs in my garden for years of enjoyment in the yard and the kitchen.