GREEN – NOT ONLY FOR ST. PATRICK’S DAY

May is a big month for celebrations – Mothers’ Day, graduations, weddings, Memorial Day, baby showers, and last-day of school are all occasions for a party. However, one party can blow your eco-diet as badly as your loose-weight diet.

It is possible to have a green celebration, but it takes some planning. And there’s not much that can be done to “green” an event that features exotic flowers and foods flown in from across the globe. The suggestions that follow will help you make your celebration “green” and festive.

These tips for having an environmentally friendly wedding from several issues of “Earth Saving Tips from Earth Share of Texas” can be adapted to many occasions.

Go local. Consider a wedding location near where the majority of your guests are from. This will save on gas and jet fuel as your guests have less distance to travel.

One location. Consider having your ceremony and reception in the same location. This will simplify the day and save on gas as guests go from one site to another.

Something borrowed. Consider borrowing items from friends or family. This will save resources and add a customized feel to the wedding.

Digital photos. Most photographers can do digital photos of the event. You can then preview the photos and just order prints of the pictures you want—reducing the toxics and waste involved with printing pictures.

Go organic. From flowers to food there are lots of ways to go organic. Many caterers offer organic and local produce options. You will be helping the environment by supporting products that use less pesticides and likely have tastier food.

The most important to foods to buy organic are apples, bell peppers, celery, cherries, grapes (imported), nectarines, peaches, pears, potatoes, spinach, and strawberries because they can have high levels of pesticide residue. Organic meat, eggs, and dairy don’t have toxins or agents believed to cause mad cow disease that non-organics might have. Asparagus, avocados, bananas, broccoli, cauliflower, corn, kiwi, mangos, onions, papaya, pineapples, and sweet peas have consistently low levels of pesticide residue, so it’s not as important to buy organic.

For gifts and flowers, check out Earth Share Marketplace. One of the vendors, Organic Bouquet, has a beautiful selection of fresh flowers, wreaths and more. If you purchase a dozen red roses or an organic rose heart wreath from them (Mothers’ Day?) (Anniversary?) through the Earth Share website, Earth Share will receive a cut. Another vendor is Earth Footwear, which allows you to register your purchase at the Earth Share site and they will send Earth Share a check. Earth Share products are found at many retail locations.

CEC is an Earth Share member. For more about the group, see Earth Share’s website.