Sustainable, zero-waste weddings guide

Here are a few common inclusions which you might not realise are having a negative impact on the environment. Don't worry, though. These are all common aspects of a wedding - which means alternative, eco-friendly options, have already been created.

Confetti
Throwing confetti is a common tradition, but have you ever considered where it ends up after the celebrations are over? Unfortunately, this is another example of a material which won't degrade naturally. That means it often ends up being consumed by animals.

Exotic flowers
It's not something that immediately springs to mind, but transporting flowers which aren't seasonal means you'll need to move them from relatively far away. The net result is a higher level of CO2 emissions, as well as the use of potentially harmful chemical fertilisers which can pollute the soil.

Decorations
Paper comes in handy at a wedding, but it's still worth considering where you can limit its use. Bunting, banners and even invites can use up resources which might not be sustainable. Either cut down on their use or make sure you're only utilising sustainable materials.

If you're asking your guests to come with a gift from a wedding registry, you can give them an entirely sustainable list of options to choose from. Here are a few examples of what you could include:

Earth-friendly gifts
If you want to take a more eco-friendly approach to life beyond the wedding day itself, this is a great opportunity to get a helping hand. You can ask for gifts like solar panel chargers, bamboo toothbrushes, electric lights or even a compost bin.

Fairtrade products
Looking for homeware which could genuinely make a positive difference to the lives of people in developing countries? You can find things like rugs, cutlery and even tables on websites such as Ten Thousand Villages.These items are produced from sustainable ingredients by people living in third world countries. As it's fairtrade, they take a healthy cut of all profits made on anything sold.

Small and local gifts
Investing in local communities is good for everyone. But it's especially handy if you're trying to reduce your wedding's carbon footprint. Purchasing from people in your community will mean there's far less fuel being burned to get your presents to you.The key here is to think about how each item on your registry could have an impact on the environment. Is what you're asking for going to come from a sustainable source?

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