Sustainable Registry Guide

The registry is a tough yet critical component to greening your wedding. You are voting with your pocketbook and asking your guests to do the same.  By giving your guests green registry options you are involving them in your adventure.  Additionally, you and your guests will be exposed to fun, new resources that hopefully will be used beyond your wedding.  

Reminder to the bride:  People will always give you a gift even if you go the charity route or ask for no gifts. By creating a green registry you are empowering your gifts to fulfill your wishes.

Suggestion to the guest:  Stick to the registry. Chances are that the couple has gone to great lengths to put together their registry.  If you find something green not on the list or from one of their preferred retailers, reach out to the couple before you make the purchase. There’s nothing worse than a green gift that is not used!

Green Product Features to Consider

Not sure what to look for in green products?  Afraid you’ll fall victim to green washing?  Here are a few key product aspects to look out for.

•          Bamboo:  Bamboo is alternative to cotton because it fast growing plant that does not require intense amounts of water and chemicals like cotton.  It has come under criticism because increase bamboo demand is causing increased deforestation in parts of the world like China.  For more information about bamboo, click here.
•          Carbon Neutral:   Scientists believe that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions from anthropogenic sources are the culprits behind global warming (aka climate change).  Individuals, businesses, and governments are taking action to reducing their greenhouse emissions and becoming “carbon neutral”.  Carbon neutral means that a business or individual has taken action to not emit additional greenhouse gases in their operation.  Neutrality is achieved through a variety of steps including reducing electricity use, sourcing locally, and purchasing carbon offsets.  For more about climate change or reducing greenhouse gas emissions, visit Conservation International.
•          End Run or Scrap Material:  Sometimes factories will have scrap material after production. (Think left over scraps of dough when cutting out cookies.) Like reclaimed material, artists will use the scraps to create a new product.  A fun example is Vivaterra’s Flip Flop Door Mat.
•          Fair Trade:  According to the International Fair Trade Association, “fair trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers – especially in the South.” Click here to learn more about fair trade.
•          Green Business:  Business like Eco Bella and Viva Terra are green through the product lines they offer and the way in which they operate their business. For instance, Eco Bella’s owners carefully research all vendors and products to ensure they are green before carrying them. They also live by example. Not only was the store a green renovation but the store has also been certified to be Carbon Neutral.
•          Local Business:  Small businesses are the backbone of a strong local economy. Collectively, they employ the largest number of people in our country. More importantly, local businesses keep the wealth in your community. For more about the value of supporting local economies, visit the EF Schumacher Society.
•          Low VOC or No VOC: VOC stand for Volatile Organic Compounds. VOC’s are the beloved new car scent and the annoying smell of wet paint.  Have you ever gotten a headache from a room that’s recently been painted?  It’s because VOC’s are not good for us (i.e. they are toxic). A growing number of people are developing an acute sensitivity to VOC’s due to repeat exposure.  This is known as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.  People with this disorder suffer from symptoms including headaches, skin irritation, and muscle pain.  Green product lines are emerging to offer low or no VOC products.  They are quickly becoming the standard because they offer the same quality at the same cost without the harmful side effects.  For more information, click here.
•          Organic Cotton:  Eco Bella explains it best:
  • Certified organic cotton is free from toxic pesticides and insecticides or other toxic chemicals.
  • Certified organic cotton production is highly regulated and sweat-shop and child-labor free.
  • Certified organic cotton is free from formaldehyde, toxic dyes and silicone which harm the earth, its soil, and its water supply.

•          Reclaimed or Discarded Material: Similar to recycled materials, many artists bring a second life to items that they find and repurpose. Great examples are Vivaterra’s Vintage Ruler Chair made from old yard stick rulers or the Root of the Earth Bowl from discarded tree roots.
•          Recycled Materials: 
  • Metal: Aluminum and steel are durable and sustainable metals if we reuse and recycle them optimally. According to Earth911, “making new aluminum cans from used cans takes 95 percent less energy and 20 recycled cans can be made with the energy needed to produce one can using virgin ore.” (Source)
  • Glass: Unlike plastic, glass never wears out.  A ton of recycled glass saves 1,330 pounds of sand, 433 pounds of soda ash, 433 pounds of limestone, and 151 pounds of feldspar. (Source)

Bridal Tea in Baltimore

My first shower was today and it was a smashing success. My adventure in green the wedding continues. And it is going off with flying colors.

Today was hosted by Kelly, my matron of honor and my future sister in law. She found the perfect location- an inn from the 1700’s that is now a state park. It has been beautifully restored with original furniture. We learned the history of the house while we sipped tea and ate lovely, rich pastries. (I was so glad I had gone for a long run that morning!) We all left quite stuffed but pleasantly so.

It was the coming together of the old and new. My “second mother” from my childhood, my friend from grad school, an old friend of Sean’s, his childhood friends, and new family and friends. I was so touched that they all trekked quite a distance to celebrate with me. It truly meant the world.

The gifts. I was so nervous. How would my desires for a green registry play out?  Was it going to fail miserably?  Was I forcing too much of my belief system on other? Was I going to have to give up and resort to Macy’s and Dillard’s? 

I had a pit in the bottom of my stomach as I sat in the center of the room surrounded by a sea of colorful boxes and bags.

Within minutes I knew all of my worry was for naught. The success was better than my wildest dream. The experiment worked!  The organic cotton kitchen towels, decorative root bowl, bamboo salad bowl, fair trade baskets.

It was a wonderful experience for all. I was able to share why I selected the gifts on my registry. My guests told their stories of their shopping adventure. Sean’s grandmother was shocked I loved the bowl made out of papaya and beets she gave me. It gave the group a terrific laugh.  There was also a sharing and exchange of knowledge across generations that I expect happened much more frequently in years past where quilt circles were common.  As the shower progressed, I felt like I had stepped back in time and captured some of what we’ve lost in the modern busy world. 

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