An ideal Zero Waste event sends nothing to landfills and incinerators and continually strives hard to reduce the volume of waste.
The following are some simple guidelines to follow, when hosting an Eco Event.
1. INVITATION
The following are some simple guidelines to follow, when hosting an Eco Event.
1. INVITATION
The first step for any event would be this, of course. Evites are already the norm these days, so this would be relatively the easiest one to plan and execute.
But, if paper invitations need to be printed, like a wedding for e.g. there are Biodegradable paper invitations that can be printed. Check out https://www.seedpaperindia.com/.
Hand-made paper can also used, since most of them use recycled paper. And, the count can be reduced to a bare minimum to avoid paper usage.
2. DECORATIONS
The best way to go about decorations is to use natural, biodegradable decors like flowers or plants. Also, forgo the imported blossoms for locally-sourced floral decorations. Flowers sourced from small-time vendors or directly from farmers will also be a means of supporting local growers and suppliers. Fabric flowers can also be used, check with the florist.
Remember- Check if you can compost the flowers after the event. Floral waste can be used as incense sticks or used to make Holi colors.
Streamers and other decorations can be minimised or made from recycled paper. If plastic ones have to be used, you can reuse them every year. It's only for a day and no one will remember them from previous years anyway.
Also, the table on which food is served can be either uncovered, covered in cloth or a thick sheet of plastic to avoid rolls and rolls of food-contaminated paper.
Bigger events like weddings will be a challenge though, but the idea should be to be as creative as possible. Reusable decorations would be the best option for such larger events.
3. CUTLERY
We are a country where the most common way to eat traditional meals with our hands, even among the wealthy who can trace the practice back to Ayurvedic teaching—and yet every year we Indians use 120 billion pieces of plastic cutlery. It's time to change and go back to eating with our hands.
No cutlery would be the ideal zero-waste event.
If cutlery can't be avoided, using stainless steel plates, spoons, forks, knives and cloth napkins would be best. If throwaway has to be used for a larger event, using compostable plates, cups and spoons like bamboo, palm leaf ones would be better. Plantain leaves for plates, of course is a traditional and compostable option.
For water, can get refillable water containers, with steel cups. Tall, clear plastic glasses can also be used and then reused for a later event.
Renting cutlery, is another new option that's coming up in a lot of metros. Pls check the Resources page for details.
4. FOOD
Let's take a look at some hard facts:
Firstly, RSVP has to become a part of our sub-culture. The concept is picking up slowly, but it has to be accelerated. Knowing a head count ahead of an event helps cutting down food waste to a minimum. So, whether you are a guest, it would be eco-conscious to inform the host if you're not planning to make it to the event.
Secondly, think of how to manage food leftovers and call any food waste pickup organizations ahead of the event. Pls check the Resources page for details.
Or, check any local charitable organizations that you can drop off the food after the event.
5. GIFTS
Guests can be requested not to gift bouquets and plastic-wrapped gifts. Please mention this specifically in your invite to avoid any confusion.
Also, you can get eco-friendly gift bags, or small cloth bags as return gifts to your guests. Giving plants or seeds, buying commercial gifts from roadside artisans, small shops or social NGO's can be a win-win for both sides.
On that note, let your next party be the coolest Eco Event in town!
Hand-made paper can also used, since most of them use recycled paper. And, the count can be reduced to a bare minimum to avoid paper usage.
2. DECORATIONS
The best way to go about decorations is to use natural, biodegradable decors like flowers or plants. Also, forgo the imported blossoms for locally-sourced floral decorations. Flowers sourced from small-time vendors or directly from farmers will also be a means of supporting local growers and suppliers. Fabric flowers can also be used, check with the florist.
Remember- Check if you can compost the flowers after the event. Floral waste can be used as incense sticks or used to make Holi colors.
Streamers and other decorations can be minimised or made from recycled paper. If plastic ones have to be used, you can reuse them every year. It's only for a day and no one will remember them from previous years anyway.
Also, the table on which food is served can be either uncovered, covered in cloth or a thick sheet of plastic to avoid rolls and rolls of food-contaminated paper.
Bigger events like weddings will be a challenge though, but the idea should be to be as creative as possible. Reusable decorations would be the best option for such larger events.
We are a country where the most common way to eat traditional meals with our hands, even among the wealthy who can trace the practice back to Ayurvedic teaching—and yet every year we Indians use 120 billion pieces of plastic cutlery. It's time to change and go back to eating with our hands.
No cutlery would be the ideal zero-waste event.
If cutlery can't be avoided, using stainless steel plates, spoons, forks, knives and cloth napkins would be best. If throwaway has to be used for a larger event, using compostable plates, cups and spoons like bamboo, palm leaf ones would be better. Plantain leaves for plates, of course is a traditional and compostable option.
For water, can get refillable water containers, with steel cups. Tall, clear plastic glasses can also be used and then reused for a later event.
Renting cutlery, is another new option that's coming up in a lot of metros. Pls check the Resources page for details.
4. FOOD
Let's take a look at some hard facts:
According to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), every year 1.3 billion tonnes of food is wasted. At the same time, One in every Seven people in the world go to bed hungry. More than 20,000 children under the age of five die every day of hunger!
Despite millions of Indians going to bed on a hungry stomach, the country is letting food worth a whopping Rs 44,000 crore go waste each year, due to lack of adequate storage infrastructure.
While the wasted fruits and vegetables alone was estimated at Rs 13,300 crore, other food products like rice, wheat, cereals and meat also go waste. India produces around 250 million tonne of food grain in a year, but its annual consumption remains far lower at 220 million to 225 million tonne.
The report released by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation in 2013 said 48 per cent children under the age of five have stunted growth. It also indicated that half of the country’s children are chronically malnourished.
Despite millions of Indians going to bed on a hungry stomach, the country is letting food worth a whopping Rs 44,000 crore go waste each year, due to lack of adequate storage infrastructure.
While the wasted fruits and vegetables alone was estimated at Rs 13,300 crore, other food products like rice, wheat, cereals and meat also go waste. India produces around 250 million tonne of food grain in a year, but its annual consumption remains far lower at 220 million to 225 million tonne.
The report released by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation in 2013 said 48 per cent children under the age of five have stunted growth. It also indicated that half of the country’s children are chronically malnourished.
Food is the single most complicated factor in any event, big or small. So, why can't we do our bit by planning for food waste before the event?
Firstly, RSVP has to become a part of our sub-culture. The concept is picking up slowly, but it has to be accelerated. Knowing a head count ahead of an event helps cutting down food waste to a minimum. So, whether you are a guest, it would be eco-conscious to inform the host if you're not planning to make it to the event.
Secondly, think of how to manage food leftovers and call any food waste pickup organizations ahead of the event. Pls check the Resources page for details.
Or, check any local charitable organizations that you can drop off the food after the event.
5. GIFTS
Guests can be requested not to gift bouquets and plastic-wrapped gifts. Please mention this specifically in your invite to avoid any confusion.
Also, you can get eco-friendly gift bags, or small cloth bags as return gifts to your guests. Giving plants or seeds, buying commercial gifts from roadside artisans, small shops or social NGO's can be a win-win for both sides.
On that note, let your next party be the coolest Eco Event in town!
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