GREEN WEDDING CHECKLIST

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GREEN WEDDING CHECKLIST
by JANE BOGNER
SUNDAY, May 30, 2004

June is the traditional month for weddings, so why not start off your new life with an event that has less impact on the planet. Approximately 2.4 million couples get married every year in the United States and, according to www.theknot.com, the average cost is $20,000 per wedding.

Here is your golden opportunity to support local businesses and purchase organic, recycled, and recyclable goods. Your first stop could be www.Organicweddings.com , a full-service Green Wedding Planning company. Here’s a list on things that you should consider for your big event.

About half of the wedding budget is spent on the venue and the caterer. Consider supporting a location or a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to green causes such as a park or museum. Rather than having everyone come to you, consider choosing a location close to where the majority of your guests live. This will help cut down on the environmental costs associated with travel. For the same reason, hold the ceremony and reception at the same venue and help your guests arrange carpools. If you're looking at a hotel or restaurant, ask if the food director will cater to your organic and local wishes. If not, ask if you can bring in your own caterer.

Most flowers come from countries where pesticide usage isn't as regulated as it is here and, since flowers aren't a food crop, they are seldom tested for pesticide residues. Grow your own, purchase flowers at a local farmers market or log on to www.organicbouquet.com. You can also use dried or silk flowers or decorate with fruits and greenery.

INVITATIONS, PROGRAMS, AND MENUS

This is a no brainer: choose recycled paper. Check out the Buy Recycled page on the VALCORE website. Green-leaning engaged couples have sent out invitations via Email or created their own wedding website with links to their green registry sites (www.HeartofVermont.com, www.recyclestore.com, www.ecomall.com). This translates into an environmental savings in paper and transportation fuel.

Synthetic fabrics cost less, but polyester is petroleum-based. Cotton growers use an average of 5.8 pounds of pesticides per acre. The most environmentally friendly cotton is certified organic and either not dyed or tinted with gentler natural vegetable dyes (www.OrganicCottonDirectory.net, www.Gaiam.com). Better still, buy a vintage gown or choose a beautiful dress you can wear again.

As for the ring, gold mining releases poisonous cyanide and mercury into the environment. Consider silver which has a lower environmental impact. You can shop at antiques stores for a vintage ring that can be resized.

FAVORS AND GIFTS

Consider the life of the favors that your guests will take home. Give them something edible such as organic chocolates, local honey or plant trees in your guests' names (www.theGreenGuide.com, www.arborday.org). The North American Butterfly Association requests that you do not release butterflies which can disrupt wild butterflies' migration and spread disease or parasites.

Rent dishes or use compostable picnicware if you have some place to compost it (www.greenearthofficesupply.com, www.sinlessbuying.com). Use as few disposable items as possible. Request that cleanup staff separate recyclables. If guests don't pick your tables clean, compost the flowers, or drop them off at a nursing home or hospital.

Check out aCo-op America's Green Pages (www.coopamerica.org) or www.ecotravel.com for environmentally friendly eco-tourism packages.

Log onto www.ciwmb.ca.gov/wrap to download your Waste Reduction Awards Program application. The deadline for entering is June 30, 2004.

VALLEJO COMPOSTING CLASSES

VALCORE conducts free backyard and earthworm composting classes on the third Saturday of each month at 38 Sheridan from 10am to Noon. The next class is June 19. Two composting bins will be given away at each class to two Vallejo residents.

VALCORE Recycling Vice President Jane Bogner's "A Sorted Affair" is published every other week in the Times-Herald, Community Outlook Section. For recycling information call Genie Kaggerud, VALCORE Recycling manager at 645-8258 or visit www.VALCORErecycling.org.