American weddings are typically not very eco-friendly. From guests flying in (sometimes from all corners of the globe), to the flowers (which have most likely been shipped in cooled packing containers from wherever they happen to be in season), to the registry (who really needs two sets of dinnerware?), weddings tend to leave a large environnmental footprint in their wake. Perhaps we should a page from the Indonesian marriage playbook.
In the West Java province of the country, newlyweds must take part in the “Couples Caring for the Environment” program, a law which requires marrying couples to plant and care for five trees to offset greenhouse gases. Environmentalists claim that Indonesia is the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world, and there are hopes that planting the seedling trees will help rebuild the country’s forests, which have been ravaged by deforestation.
This seems like an excellent wedding tradition that would help offset the environmental footprint left behind by most Western weddings, especially if the trees were planted in cities and areas that really needed it. Also, the couple that gets their hands dirty together, stays together, right? In the meantime, all you brides and grooms to be out there, make some simple wedding decisions that are better for the environment (and probably your wallet too) — don’t give out favors that no one will use (as much as anyone loves you, anything with the wedding date or your names on it will eventually wind up in the trash), use locally grown flowers, cut down on the meat (better for your health and the environment), find a dress made out of sustainable fabrics or hit the thrift stores, and get your bridesmaids simple dresses they can wear again (they’ll thank you for it).
Story via Blisstree
Image via Boyznberry
