Note from Reena:  Because we are all beyond busy preparing for the holiday season, I have invited Lori Hill, an experienced, green event and party planner in Maryland, to share some easy tips for celebrating the season  in sustainable style.  Lori had so many suggestions that we divided her guest blog into two parts; the second section will be published Thursday, December 2.

by Lori Hill

Lori Hill

Source Your Food Locally and Select Organic Options When Possible

It is always best to pay a little bit more for organic options for food and beverages since they contain less of those evil “ides”:  pesticides, insecticides and herbicides.  Your body will thank you for ingesting less toxins which will contribute to better health in the long run.

Local options are also better because the average distance our food travels from source to table is 1,600 miles.  In contrast, the average distance from local farms to the farmers market is less than 50 miles.  Going local is a much better option because you not only reduce the carbon footprint since the food travels a smaller distance, but you also support your local economy.  For every $100 spent on a locally owned business, $45 goes back into the community.  Finally, the food is fresher and therefore, tastes better and don’t you want to serve tasty food to your family and friends?  To find a farmer’s market near you, go to Local Harvest.org.  Many are open year-round.

Choices from a farmer's market. Image by Renee Marrano via Treehugger.

Opt for Dishware Over Disposables

When serving food, I urge my clients to use glassware, silverware and dishware over disposables.  It is best to select an option that you can reuse over and over again.  Be sure to use an earth friendly detergent such as Seventh Generation and don’t let the water run while washing your dishes!  Use the dishwasher and make sure it is full before you run it.

Bambu's single-use bamboo plates and utensils made from bamboo which is grown without fertilizers. Photo courtesy BambuHome.com.

If you must use disposables, stay away from that evil plastic stuff that takes decades to biodegrade.  I use Bambu Veneerware.  Made of certified organic bamboo, it is compostable and breaks down in 4 to 6 months.  Many grocery stores are carrying compostable disposable plates made of bamboo, fallen palm leaves, sugarcane pulp and other natural products.  You can also get cups that look plastic, but are made of corn.  They may cost a bit more, but your grandchildren will thank you for taking care of the planet instead of throwing more plastic in the landfill.

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Lori Hill is president of lori hill event productions, an event planning company that helps environmentally conscious people and organizations make their special events savvy AND sustainable.  In addition to producing award-winning corporate and social events, Lori has appeared on TV and speaks frequently about green events as well as greening your business operations and personal life.