In 2023, Bengaluru witnessed an extraordinary wedding celebration planned by Anupama Harish and Charulatha R, the mothers of the bride and groom, respectively. With their children Ashutosh and Nidhi getting married, the families decided to make a difference by organizing a plastic-free wedding, taking a stand against wasteful traditions.
Planning with Purpose: Crafting a Plastic-Free Celebration
To kickstart their efforts, the groom’s mother, Anupama, set a non-negotiable condition for a plastic-free wedding, which the families wholeheartedly embraced. Determined to reduce waste, they started with the wedding invitations, printing minimal cards with a request to avoid bouquets and gift wrappers. The focus was on creating a minimum waste celebration.
Tackling Food Waste: A Thoughtful Menu
Indian weddings are known for their grandeur, but they often leave behind massive amounts of plastic and food waste. Anupama and Charulatha addressed this by carefully planning a menu that minimized the use of cutlery and plastic cups. Steel cutlery was rented from a cutlery bank, and the food was served on eco-friendly banana leaves, leaving no room for plastic waste.
Composting 1000 kg of Waste: A Sustainable Solution
Despite hosting over 1,000 guests, the families successfully produced zero plastic waste at the wedding. To ensure that none of the waste ended up in landfills, Anupama collaborated with ‘composting guru’ Vasuki Iyengar from the Solid Waste Management Round Table (SWMRT) Bengaluru. The wedding generated 1,000 kg of wet waste, which was expertly composted into 300 kg of nutrient-rich compost.
Reusing Butter Paper for Gifts: A Heartfelt Gesture
Gifts are an integral part of weddings, and Anupama ingeniously reused 19-year-old butter paper she had kept from her son’s thread ceremony. She thoughtfully packed gifts for guests using naturally dyed blouse pieces and turmeric-vermillion powders. Even the fresh flowers used for decorations found a new life as natural dyes for clothes, creating a beautiful cycle of sustainability.
Inspiring a Plastic-Free Lifestyle: A Nostalgic Call
Anupama and Charulatha believe that planning a plastic-free wedding is easier and cleaner, leaving venues spotless and reducing waste significantly. They encourage embracing a simpler, more sustainable lifestyle reminiscent of our mothers and grandmothers. By highlighting such events, they hope to inspire others to adopt eco-friendly practices for the sake of the environment.
In Conclusion
Anupama Harish and Charulatha R’s plastic-free wedding stands as a beacon of hope, showcasing how thoughtful planning and determination can create a sustainable celebration. Their efforts not only composted waste but also kindled a nostalgic call to live more naturally, just like our ancestors did. Let this wedding be a reminder to prioritize the environment and embrace a plastic-free life for future generations.
