Taiga Company

Have you heard someone say they are going green because it's the "right” thing to do?  When you ask them what exactly the “right” thing is, they mention because "it's good for the environment".  As a green living consultant, I'm all for being good to the environment; however, what I've noticed in our sustainability consulting is that "being good for the environment" doesn’t translate well into tangible, practical pieces of information that people can use in their daily lives.  The statement, "it's good for the environment" is just too big, too conceptual, it means different things to different people and it lacks personalization. 
 
So, what does being good to the environment really mean? Within our personal sustainability programs, we break it down to a personal level.  In doing so, it's easier to connect the dots between an eco action and the associated environmental benefit.  The result?  Clear knowledge of how and why that action is good for the environment versus a blank, overarching statement.
 
Let's take the holidays as an example.  How can we be good to the environment during the holidays? Following are holiday eco actions associated with the environmental drivers.       
 
 
Eco actions of party planning:
There are great free online party invitation services that conscious party planners can use like the popular Socializr. It lets users customize their invite with music or video. Socializr also has options to send invites to social networking profiles, directly to cell phones, and through email. Pingg is an event management site that offers similar services.  If you prefer a more traditional approach consider using party invitations made from recycled paper.
 
Why it's good for the environment: While using computers and the internet for party planning does utilize energy, it is a more sustainable option compared to the traditional practice of purchasing virgin paper invitations, mailing them, and recipients throwing them out.  The traditional practice is more energy, carbon, and resource intensive than the act of sending invitations electronically.  Both Socializr and Pingg are great ways to integrate the sustainability concept of paperless into your holiday party planning.
 
Eco action in party decorations:

• Rent or borrow decorative items instead of buying new ones.   If you purchase new decorative items, focus purchases made from recycled materials such as paper, plastic, rubber and glass. 
• Purchase reusable decorations that can be used year after year.
• Decorate with plants.  Plants improve air quality as well as offer lively decoration.    Do you prefer flowers?    Check out organic flowers.  
• Consider opting for soy candles and LED lights to brighten and cheer a room.  LED lights use 80-90% less energy than traditional lights and are more energy efficient than CFLs.  
• Offer party favors and decorations made by local artisans, fair trade companies and/ or from recycled materials.

Why it's good for the environment:  Integrating sustainability concepts of organic, local, fair trade, and energy efficiency can help   in a multiple of ways.  Organic reduces the toxic load by keeping chemicals out of the air, water, soil, and our bodies.  Fair trade provides consumers with options to purchase ethically sound and higher integrity products that benefit communities as well as the environment.  And, energy efficiency reduces the demand for raw materials, reduces emissions of carbon dioxide, and helps to save money.
   
Eco Actions in menu planning:

• When throwing a green holiday party the menu should be eco-friendly as well. The main objective when setting the menu is to avoid being wasteful.
• When entertaining your guests, use glassware. If that's not an option, extend eco awareness into your party by using compostable plates and utensils.
• Set up convenient recycling bins for glass and paper.
• Serve seasonal foods and offer organic and locally grown food.
• Holiday toast with organic beer and wines.

Why it's good for the environment:
Serving organic food and spirits support sustainable farming practices.  The benefits of serving what you need, reduces waste. The importance of using reusable serving wear can't be underestimated.   Waste is not just created when consumers throw items away. Waste  is generated throughout the life cycle of a product, from extraction of raw materials, to transportation to processing and manufacturing facilities, to manufacture and use. Reusing items or making them with less material decrease waste dramatically. Ultimately, less material will need to be recycled or sent to landfills or waste-combustion facilities.    
 
By hosting your holiday party with eco awareness, not only do you reduce your impact on the planet, but you extend that generosity by gifting your guest with ideas to living green.  Demonstrating your values and articulating specifically the benefits of your eco actions helps others to make the link between eco actions and how it is benefiting the environment.