A Zero waste wedding is not only a lifestyle choice, it’s a way to commit yourself to creating a sustainable existence and also to impact and motivate so many others to join hands with you. Amidst all the celebrations and the extravagant spending, we have to admit that a lot of wastage occurs during a regular wedding regarding food, utensils, decorations and packaging that are more often than not, unsustainable, and detrimental to the environment.
On an average, an Indian wedding hosting 400-1000 people results in around 3 tonnes of waste and in some cases even more. Mindful planning along with some facilitating agencies can help you eliminate your wedding waste and create a bonding in sync with your eco system.
A 15-step guide to create a zero waste wedding
Here are some building blocks for planning a zero waste wedding. So go ahead, put the blocks together, rearrange, rebuild and allow the creativity in you and the nature around you take over. The mantra is recycle, reuse, reduce, refuse to achieve zero rot. Use Eco friendly products , ensure minimal load on resources and Zero load on garbage dump. Simply put, nothing goes into the trash bin (starting from invites to return gifts).
1. Conscious Guest list
Refuse the outer circle as much as possible Smaller number of guests will cut down overall carbon footprint yet making it more enjoyable. If refusing is unavoidable then opt to call certain people for certain functions only and keep the wedding day as an intimate affair. A zero waste party could also be organised for outer circle guests post wedding
2. Paperless (or Plant-able) Wedding Invitations
E-invites and green initiatives can go extra miles to eliminate waste. Also online confirmations can be taken. An online service provider could be hired for effective guest management. A wedding website can be created to share all information regarding functions etc. and later on photographs and videos. If cards need to be printed, opt for seed paper or recycled paper invites.
3. Eco friendly Venue
Go beyond regular air conditioned walls. Plan an outdoor wedding on a good weather day (as per weather forecast). Sustainable venues like gardens, beaches, and farms are beautiful landscapes for any celebration. For indoor wedding choose venues like temples or hotels which have adopted sustainable practices. Work with your venue to separate your trash containers so that you can recycle/compost any waste that is accrued during the ceremony.
4. Go Green Décor
Reusable, recyclable or organically disposable decoration items must be used at the venue. Zero waste and maximum impact. Keep minimal additional decoration by incorporating available items at the venue. Like an existing tree could be used as a canopy for mandap. Fresh flowers and leaves are a great choice to spread riot of colours and happiness. Dry flowers , jute, wood and natural fabrics make excellent makeovers.
5. Local sourcing of flowers
Seasonal and locally grown fresh flowers must be sourced which can be composted for manure post usage. Tie up with a local farmer or agency for flowers and get the stringing done by people from nearby village. Injecting money in local economy helps in healthy eco system.
6. Daytime functions wherever possible
Night functions use up a lot of electricity and fuel on power generators. Day functions help reduce consumption of electricity provided they are planned outdoors on a good weather day. For functions which are unavoidable at night, explore fuel efficient options like solar lanterns.
7. Impact free accommodation for guests
Guests should be accommodated in eco-friendly lodging close to venue and all together so they don’t have to travel and add on to vehicular emissions. Find out farm stays or local resorts near venue. Some hotels also subscribe to green initiatives, you will need work out a comprehensive plan with them for not using any environmentally unconscious products for your guests consumption. Also ensure waste management during their stay.
8. Sustainable fashion and ethical jewellery
The couple’s wedding wardrobe can make a bold statement of the informed lifestyle choice that they have made. Reuse, refurbish family heirlooms or rent out the outfits or buy regional handlooms which support local workmanship since the fashion industry produces 10 per cent of global carbon emissions . Source from local artisans. Support in terms of material as well as livelihood. Use passed on family jewellery or go for eco-friendly jewellery made from recyclable materials, gemstones, pearls and synthetic diamonds considering the ecological impact of mining and other unethical processes involved.
9. Nature’s bountiful makeover
Accelerated beauty treatment prior to wedding day help you look good only for a week or so. But natural products and treatments if used for a sustained period will make you radiate naturally throughout. Sticking to environmentally sustainable organic brands for your makeup picks goes a long way in ensuring you have a zero waste yet totally memorable wedding rendezvous
10. Conscious dining
Exercise seasonal, local, consciously grown food and drink options. Reduce food wastage by minimalising the food menu. Use reusable crockery and cutlery. If one time use is unavoidable then biodegradable stuff like plantain leaves or areca plates can be used. Fresh juice counter can be set up instead of serving packaged beverages. Guests must be requested to throw unused food from their plates into a separate bin so it can be used for composting along with other vegetable waste.
11. Mindful mithai muse
Consider locally procured healthier options for sweets with more shelf life like organic honey, dates, dried fruits , fruit preserves etc. Giveaway Sweets in reusable boxes or glass jars to your guests. Each region in our country has unique handcrafted boxes and jars which are handy enough for multiple uses and are easy to source.
12. Thoughtful zero waste return gifts
Recycled/ refurbished unique organic gifts in jute/ cloth reusable bags ( plant based ) or biodegradable packaging. Ensure that the gifts are plastic free and consumable, preferably something that adds value to regional economy.
13. Say Yes to wedding registries
Since most of the gifts get passed on over, it’s better to request the guests to gift cash by transferring online. Many websites provide wedding registry services. You can also opt to donate that money to a cause via charity registry.
14. Say No to plastics
Ditch plastic in all forms; cutlery, crockery, glasses, straws, bags, decoration items, packaging. Substitute with plenty of biodegradable or reusable options. For example tie up with a local milkman/diary to deliver milk rather than buying packaged milk and replace plastic bags used for gifting and bringing in material with customised cloth or jute bags.
15. Donate leftover food and flowers
Tie up with an NGO which collects food for the needy. Many NGO s also take used flowers which are upcycled into incense or Holi colours. You will have to create and educate your own brigade of zero waste volunteers amongst your friends and family who will ensure that all waste is segregated in a way that nothing reaches the landfills. Consult with a waste management company or NGO to organise your waste and for environment friendly wedding initiatives.
Author: Anurag Dahiya at Organo Et School (http://www.organoetschool.co.in)
