Dear Co-op America, We are getting married next summer and want to have a green wedding. Any suggestions? — Tom & Suzanne, Minneapolis, MN
CONGRATULATIONS ON your impending nuptials — and on your forward thinking wish to have an Earth-friendly wedding. First, spend some time talking about where you could part from tradition and simplify, cutting costs and resource use. Second, get thee to www.organicwed dings.com, a one-stop shop for planning a green wedding or commitment ceremony. From sustainable hemp-blend gowns to eco-friendly reception suggestions, this site has it all.
Some other suggestions:
* Many businesses offer custom-designed recycled or tree-free paper invitations, including Twisted Limb (812-876-9352) and Not Just Paper (919-688-6266).
* If you’re the bride, consider purchasing a gown made of natural eco-fabrics like silk and hemp, or buying a used gown. The Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation sells secondhand bridal gowns to raise money to grant wishes to terminally ill breast cancer patients. You can also donate your gown to Making Memories after your wedding (503-252-3955).
* Keep photos digital and only print those you want to keep. You’ll save paper and use fewer toxic chemicals.
* Use local, organically grown flowers. You’ll avoid harmful pesticides and reduce transportation costs.
* Find a caterer that is willing to serve organic food and beverages, including organic beers and wines. Avoid using disposable dishes and silverware.
* Register for wedding gifts with a socially and environmentally responsible company like Gaiam (800-869-3603) or Everything Earth (866-36-EARTH). Both businesses offer an array of green products for the home, from hemp rugs to recycled glass dishware. If you already have everything you’ll need, consider asking your guests to donate to a charity/nonprofit in lieu of gifts.
* Plan an eco-travel honeymoon. Eco-travel encourages travelers to preserve the environment while benefiting the local economy and people. Best of all, you don’t have to sacrifice comfort or variety. Eco-travel agents can help you custom-design a package that meets your every desire — from hiking the Incan trail to lounging on the beaches of Cozumel to strolling through the museums of Paris. For more information, contact the International Eco-Tourism Society (802-651-9818).
Dear Co-op America, I’d like to start a socially responsible investing club, but I’m not sure how. Where should I start? — Fiona D., Seattle, WA
THE NONPROFIT National Association of Investors Corporation (NAIC) provides information and resources for forming and running an investing club (877-275-6242). However, NAIC doesn’t offer information on socially responsible investing (SRI) — investing according to social and environmental criteria. For that, you’ll want to turn to the Social Investment Forum, the nonprofit trade association for SRI professionals. You can find the latest SRI-related news releases and studies, and a monthly SRI mutual fund performance chart, at the Web site, www.socialinvest.org.
For the social investing novice, Co-op America offers a Financial Planning Handbook for $9, which contains all you need to know to get started with SRI. Call 800-58-GREEN to order.
Dear Co-op America, I recently lost weight and need to buy new clothes. What are the best ways to create an eco-friendly wardrobe? — Ann R., Milwaukee, WI
BRAVO ON your weight loss, and thanks for going green with your new wardrobe. First, scour second-hand stores and consignment boutiques, which are great places to find unique, inexpensive items. By giving someone’s old clothes a new life, you’ll save resources and keep those items out of landfills.
When buying new clothes, look for those made from eco-fabrics. Organic cotton is one that tops the list in terms of comfort and environmental savvy. It takes a pound of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to conventionally grow the three pounds of cotton needed to make a T-shirt and a pair of jeans. Buying organic cotton means the fields that grew the cotton in your clothes are free from these toxic substances. Other low-impact fibers that don’t require chemical inputs include hemp, silk, alpaca wool, and linen.
You’ll also want to buy your environmentally conscious clothing from retailers that guarantee their suppliers don’t use sweatshop labor. Look for responsible clothing companies in Co-op America’s National Green Pages™ (available for $10.95 by calling 800-58-GREEN or free online at www.greenpages.org), all of which are screened for social and environmental responsibility.
Living Green is brought to you by Co-op America, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that provides green living, purchasing, and investing tips and resources. To join Co-op America and get a free copy of the National Green Pages™ directory of green businesses, contact 800/58-GREEN. If you have a question for Living Green, click to e-mail.