Think Green Live Clean

Photo Credit: Joseph P.

With the holidays fast approaching, many of us will be getting together with coworkers, friends and loved ones to celebrate the season.  Parties are great places to laugh, enjoy great food and catch up with old friends; but are they sustainable?  A growing and exciting trend in organizing these celebrations is called “Eco Chic” or “Green” partying.

While all parties want to ensure guests have memorable times, they can unfortunately have large carbon footprints and result in a negative impact on the environment.  Food, drinks, plates, napkins, decorations, lighting, gift bags and invitations can all add up to equal significant amounts of waste, energy consumption and pollution.  Having seen the amount of waste ending up in the landfill, one party planner in New York City realized there must be a greener and more sustainable way to throw a party.  Celia Chen, a New York City party planner decided to plan a “A Night of Eco-Chic Entertaining”, whose mission was to use sustainable products and environmentally friendly materials.

So how did she accomplish this and still throw a great party?  The invitations were digital, not paper and guests were invited to bring recyclables to the event. Inside the event space, the walls were flooded with green lights from a lighting firm that incorporates LEDs and low consumption fluorescents. The bar was stocked with all-natural mixers; organic beer; wine from a sustainable vineyard; and organic vodka. Hors d’oevres were served on biodegradable plates, some actually made from pressed palm leaves.  And the review?  The party was a tremendous success and Chen’s services have been requested by numerous vendors and industries.

This is a great example of how we can incorporate green initiatives into our everyday life.  Little changes can add up to big results.  Let’s all have one more reason to celebrate by making sure our parties are sustainable and preserve our beautiful environment.

Read more about this eco-chic party and find other green party guides here.