Easy Ways to Lower Your Environmental Impact
Photo by Hanna Walkowaik
Extreme weather this year has certainly put a damper on outdoor events and activities this year. "Some of the extreme temperatures recorded in the Southwestern United States, southern Europe, and northern Mexico at the beginning of the month would have been ‘virtually impossible’ without the influence of human-caused climate change" according to the New York Times.
So you are probably asking yourself what we can do in your life to help slow down the effects of climate change and plan a more environmentally friendly wedding. Below are some key actions that you can make at home, work, or even your upcoming wedding plans.
Save energy
Switch to LED bulbs, including ambient lighting such as string lights.
Consider working with an event space that works to conserve energy. (check out our list of approved venues)
Walk, bike, or take public transportation
Choose a venue that is close to public transportation or walkable from your hotel.
Coordinate group transportation for your wedding events such as shuttle buses or carpooling. Chicago trolleys are awesome!
Rentable Divvy bikes are an awesome way for you and your guests to explore the city on your wedding weekend.
Keep it local
"Airplanes burn large amounts of fossil fuels, producing significant greenhouse gas emissions. That makes taking fewer flights one of the fastest ways to reduce your environmental impact".
Consider keeping your celebration close to home or where the majority of your guests live.
Choose vendors that are close by and only need to travel a short distance to strategically reduce air pollution.
Be meat-free
The production of veggies, legumes, and grains creates significantly less greenhouse gas emissions than animal products. Consider creating a menu that incorporates as many vegan or vegetarian bites as possible.
Always consider these four "R"s
Refuse- When planning your wedding, look for ways to keep it simple! Consider paring back on all those extras (like party favors, one-time use serving ware, balloons, disposable decor, etc)
Reuse- There is an amazing second-hand market for wedding apparel and decor that can be found at our very own Recylcery which takes place twice a year.
Repurpose & Recycle- Recycle By City is a great resource if you have tricky materials to dispose of post-event.
Reduce your food waste
Work with a GWA-approved caterer who commits to greener practices like reducing food waste. Some even donate leftover food to a local organization.
Hire a composting service to collect leftovers, which in turn gets a new life as nutrient-rich soil. The Urban Canopy offers wedding services and can be on-site to capture food waste from leftovers on plates, catering leftovers, and even flowers and greenery.
Keep it Clean
Ensure that all trash from your event is properly disposed of, whether it's recycled, composted, or brought to an appropriate facility.
This is also a great opportunity to forgo plastic straws and other single-use serving ware, which often make their way into the habitats of local animals.
Leave the environment cleaner than you found it! Pick up trash and other materials after your event, especially if you are in an outdoor venue like a park, forest preserve, or at the beach.
Feeling overwhelmed? Reach out to our approved event planners and remember that even small, mindful efforts add up! To learn more about climate action, the science, and solutions, see the United Nations website HERE.
Sources: https://www.un.org/en/actnow/ten-actions