Décor

Green decorations are reusable, locally produced, biodegradable, recyclable, or made from eco-friendly materials.

• Locally produced: Local florists can be a wonderful source for locally produced decorations. However, in order to be eco-friendly, make sure the flowers are grown locally (See text box). Potted plants make good decorations that can be stored in your office when not in use at events, so long as you are prepared to tend them. Locally grown gourds and winter squash make excellent seasonal decorations. Perhaps enlist local artists to create artful centerpieces that guests can take home. 
• Biodegradable: Many of the options above are biodegradable (cut flowers, plants, squash) but anything made from natural materials is biodegradable.
• Reusable: If you have the space, you can store decoration materials for reuse. Fabrics are a great example of reusable decorations that can be laundered and reused. Table centerpieces can be modified for reuse to better suit the season or the event. Oil candles are easily refilled for reuse, unlike wax candles that must be thrown away or donated after light use. Vinyl signs can be reused if information that will be outdated in subsequent years is taken off with heat soon after use (the longer the letters/images are on the sign, the harder it is to get them off).
• Recyclable: Paper, metals, and some plastic decorations are all recyclable. Some glass is recyclable, but MRFs* usually only accept glass bottles. Decorations made from recycled content are another good option. 
• Afterwards: Decorations can have a new life as art supplies at local schools. In St. Louis, The Teacher's Recycling Center accepts all sorts of materials to transform into student projects.

Cost Savings Opportunities: Reusing vinyl banners can save a lot of money, as the bulk of the cost goes towards the main material. Using potted plants repeatedly will save money on flower arrangements while beautifying your office and filtering the air when in "storage." Donating or giving away decorations to guests decreased trash disposal costs.

Green Lens Questions: Where do the materials come from? What "look" is my event going for? Can anything serve as both a decoration and a giveaway?

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Recycling On the Go is made possible in part by generous grants from: