Eco-Favors
Some eco-favors may not be flashy, but they can be extremely practical and therefore very green. Green is all about being useful — particularly when it comes to reusing materials. Give your guests favors they will use; as a bonus, they will showcase what you and your wedding are all about.
A CFL (compact fluorescent light) bulb will last six to ten times longer than a regular incandescent light bulb and save at least $45 worth of energy in its lifetime. Australia and other nations have even banned incandescent bulbs altogether. In the United States, manufacturers are selling greater numbers of CFL bulbs, and Wal-Mart has even coordinated with General Electric to produce a low-cost bulb.
You could give each guest reusable tote bags, CFL light bulbs, green cleaning supplies, organic bath and body products, organic soaps, or even carbon offset certificates. Rechargeable batteries and battery chargers, mini LED flashlights, a strand of LED lights, or other energy efficient gifts also make great eco-favors.
Beauty Without Cruelty (www.beautywithoutcruelty.com) sells travel-size bottles of organic hair, bath, and body products that are just the right size for fabulous eco-friendly favors. If you want to experiment with making your own personal care products, you can give each guest a sample of homemade organic bath salts, bath bombs, or custom blended massage oils that you package in vintage or recycled bottles or jars.
Recycling one ton of paper instead of creating one ton of new paper from virgin wood pulp can save 4,100 kW hours of electricity — enough electricity to heat a home for six months. It saves 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space, uses 50 percent less water and 64 percent less energy, and creates 74 percent less air pollution.
You can also consider giving guests organic cotton, hemp, or bamboo washcloths or kitchen towels, or bamboo kitchen utensils. Including a little brochure (printed on recycled paper, of course) with a list of green living websites and local stores that offer green products is a thoughtful touch. Depending on the size of your wedding, you might even be able to give gift certificates or coupons to one of the stores. A list of do-it-yourself green cleaning recipes might inspire your guests to think green — and it will make them think of you every time they use it.
