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Journalism of Courage
A bride has won over online audiences with her Instagram video showcasing a zero-waste wedding ceremony. The video offers a peek into her wedding festivities, revealing a meticulous approach to every detail, ensuring minimal waste from decorations to dining.
Dr Poorvi Bhat’s Instagram post said, “I do not know if this is what experts would consider a zero waste wedding but we did not generate any plastic at the event and did everything we could to minimise our footprint. It was only because of the cooperation of our families that my dream of a zero waste wedding was possible. My mother was the genius behind it all, she planned and organised the whole event and it was very fulfilling for me that our union happened the way it did.”
The innovative measures taken during the ceremony are nothing short of inspiring. Guests were greeted with gifts in jute bags, a biodegradable alternative to traditional wrapping. The water used for washing hands was strategically directed towards trees, allowing the used water to nourish the surrounding greenery.
The focal point of the wedding, the ‘mantapa’ or the wedding enclosure, was crafted from sugarcane stems—a sustainable material that served a dual purpose. Following the celebrations, the sugarcane structure was repurposed as fodder for cows, ensuring minimal waste.
Disposable cups and plates were notably absent from the festivities, replaced by traditional banana leaf for plates and sturdy steel glasses. Even the decorations adhered to the zero-waste ethos, with mango and coconut tree stems, leaves, and twigs utilised for their minimal water footprint.
The commitment to sustainability extended to every detail, including the wedding garlands meticulously crafted from flowers, and stitched together with cotton threads.
To address any waste generated during the event, a composting system was implemented on the farm where the wedding took place, ensuring that even the smallest remnants were repurposed into valuable compost for future use.
Bhat’s initiative has sparked widespread admiration and discussion on social media, with many applauding her dedication to environmental stewardship and advocating for similar practices in weddings worldwide.
One user wrote, “This is how Indian weddings were supposed to be culturally.” A second user commented, “Oh mannnn, normalise this!” A third user wrote, “This is exactly how I want mine to be. You’re an icon.”
Another user added, “So beautiful and such a powerful message. More power to you, this is what cultural (or any) celebrations need to look like. Meaningful and mindful. Rituals to various devatas without honouring bhudevi has always seemed incomplete to me. Thank you for leading by example and hope many more see this and continue low waste living and celebrations!”
