It's Easy Being Green

The need to go green is now, more than ever, a necessity for preserving our environment. In order to reverse the effects of our consumption, everybody must incorporate ecofriendly practices into their everyday lives. We live in a place where the environment is king, and so it is no surprise that Aspen Skiing Company was the first in the ski industry to produce a sustainability report and has received more than 30 awards for their environmental commitment. Recently, the company also launched the Save Snow initiative.

But Aspen Skiing Co. isn't the only organization dedicated to being environmentally conscious. Another group also focussed on sustainability is the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), a nonprofit dedicated to resource issues. Last summer, RMI hosted Celebrating Solutions, a two-day lecture series focused on the environment. RMI closed out the event with a gala, celebrating their commitment to using less resources and energy. RMI's soiree proved that this nonprofit practices what they preach as they made their 25th anniversary party as green as possible.

We thought we'd share with you some of RMI's hints to throwing an ecofriendly party:

1. Instead of using traditional invitations, create a Web site where your guests can find all the information about the party. Not only will you save trees, but you'll also save money. If you do need to send invites in the mail, make sure you're using recycled paper and soy-based ink.

2. Hemp or reusable organic cotton linens make for great tablecloths. For glassware, be sure to avoid paper products and serve tap water instead of bottled water.

3. Opt for locally-grown, organic, and seasonal food. Not only will it make a tasty meal but eating locally cuts down on the effect that transporting food has on our environment.

4. Become aware of your own effect on the community by calculating your carbon emissions. There are plenty of Web sites--such as LiveNeutral--which help you figure out how much you're impacting the environment. You can also purchase emissions reduction credits from Chicago Climate Exchange, which helps force large corporations to cut down on their impact on the environment.

5. Everyone loves a gift bag so fill yours with party favors that spread awareness. Your guests will walk away with a great present and more information on what they can do to go green.

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