Go Green, Go sustainable this wedding: A wise wedding

Date: 20 December 2021

Author: Dr. Monalisa Paul

As the wedding season is going on with full sham and glam, big fat wedding is always an attraction to relish. But why not go sustainable this wedding season? Why not prioritize care for the environment in nuptial ties? When a celebrity like Dia Mirza can do it, others can too. Starting right with the invitation, we can bring a difference. Wherever possible send e-cards to save paper. If not, then opt for an invitation letter printed over a cotton cloth which will be wrapped in a bio paper envelope. The invitation cloth can be later used by the guests as a dusting cloth or kitchen towel after a wash. It can be also used as Chappati wrapper instead of aluminum foil. A bio-envelope are made from elephant’s poop and bamboo shoot, inside which some seeds are embedded so that if the envelope is torn and disposed over loose soil, it will grow into a plant. By choosing this sort of invitation letter over the fancy cards, we are saving tons of papers and trees. The décor should be very simple yet classy.

Use more of colourful pieces of clothes and green plants rather than using flowers. Flowers are plucked and wasted for such events unnecessarily. Even if they must be used, make sure that minimum local/ seasonal flowers are used and not the exotic ones so that transportation cost (fuel) to bring them from distant locations can be saved. Try to donate the used or dried flowers to NGOs who make gift items, cards, and other decorative items from them. Likewise LED lights can illuminate the function along with energy efficient bulbs. Regarding food, the menu should be delicious but simple. Focus on seasonal fruits and vegetables which are grown locally. Moreover, people like very limited course of food items out of a long banquets, hence, restrict the food choices which are popular and thoroughly relished. Use reusable or edible cutlery along with table wares made from cereals and bamboo straws for beverages. Loads of plastic straws, spoons, forks and thermocol plates are dumped without a thought, leading to piling of solid waste. Go for sealed glass bottles instead of single use plastic mineral water bottles.

If one is preferring silk over other fabrics, choose a silk attire from a local weaver where the cocoons are collected once the adult moths break out of them and fly away. The silk threads are not continuous, but they are reeled and weaved into a beautiful sheet of silk cloth. It is ecofriendly. It needs lots of research to find such weavers who are usually not supported financially but their products are innovative. Upcycle the old clothes for various functions over buying new ones. Avoid packing of gifts. Tons of plastic gift wrappers are thrown into the bin if not properly recycled. So, such things can be avoided by opting for electronic gift cards. Technically gifting system should be abolished. Rather this custom should be followed by the visitors visiting a patient in the hospital or at home. Kin of the patient really needs that cash during such times. Adopt a tree on such occasions as it will be a memorable act for life time.

Though all these options can be a costlier deal yet in long run will have least impact over the environment. The solution lies in the diminution of big fat weddings which are not cost effective at all. Rather than spending on the indirect dowries like multiple functions, classy banquet halls, expensive dinners, gaudy make -ups and flashy wedding attires, we need to focus on the fundamentals of marriage. Irrespective of all these, wedding should be based on scientific principles. Afterall, science, nature and society are inter-connected. Science not just means formulas or experiments but what is providential for the society. Science is a way of life. It is the refined knowledge used for the productive outcomes in the society without selfish motives. Wedding is a community service where two families unite to make a better world.