A Word About Green

Reduce:

• Rather than sending paper invitations, send email and/or set up a website. If you must use paper invitations, print them on recycled content paper.
• For handouts, use recycled content paper with post consumer content. Identify the recycled content percentage on the handouts. Print and copy double sided.
• Ask your guests to RSVP so you can buy the appropriate amount of food based on the number of guests you expect.
• Avoid the wasteful "box lunches". These individual servings create piles of wasteful packaging. Instead, opt for large platters of sandwiches and salads and make sure the containers get reused or recycled.
• Use reusable cloth napkins and table cloths or buy paper products made with recycled content.
• Use shuttles and carpools to transport guests and staff.
• Offer biodegradable plates, utensils, and cups.
• The best choice is local foods. Not only will you be supporting local farmers, but less energy and fossil fuels will be expended in transportation.
• Recycle used cooking oil into biodiesel.
• Reduce wash water needs by selecting passed appetizers over ones that necessitate plates.
• Buying in bulk reduces excess packaging.
• Composting food scraps reduces landfill waste.

Reuse:

• Rent dishes and silverware.
• Reuse platters and lids.
• Recycle as much as possible.
• If you must use disposables, reuse or recycle them afterwards- or better yet, use disposables made from renewable resources like bamboo or bio-plastics.

Recycle:

• Recycle ALL plastics in your local "cans and bottles" bin: including catering platters and lids, plastic plates, and plastic utensils.

Last but not least, Responsible:

• Use fair trade products and support local businesses who do.
• Try to buy from as many local food sources as possible. This reduces our carbon footprint as well as keeping the dollars in the hands of local business owners.