The Greener Way to Buy Your Magazines.

Let’s say you’re hosting a party.

Oh wait- you are. 

So, Miss Planner Extraordinaire, isn’t it helpful to know exactly how many people to expect?  You wouldn’t want to waste money or time because you over-estimated, right?

Well, magazines are no different.  And if they know you like theirs, let them know so they can reduce their impact on the environment!

The stack of magazines that face you as you stand in the grocery line certainly present a temptation.  While you wait, why not browse the “Top 20 Bridal Dresses of the Year” or the “Bridesmaids Behaving Badly.”  (True story— I just read an article with that title.  I’m sure I have nothing to worry about though.... right, ladies?? ;-) )

Interestingly enough, buying that magazine on that newsstand (even if you will recycle it after) is not the most eco of choices. And here’s why:

Even if a newsstand sells the majority of its magazines (6 out of 10, let’s say) that means 52 million magazines per month are tossed.  According to the Magazine Publishers of America (MPA), that’s 600,000 tons of paper in a year that was completely wasted (source: E: the Environmental Magazine).

Even if they do get recycled, that’s a considerable amount of resources that were used for no reason other than to entertain your curiosities as you stand in the checkout line.

To be more economical (both in cost and for the environment), signing up for magazine subscriptions is the better solution!

Or, use the Internet.  In addition to some fantastic blogs (nudge, nudge... ;-) ), you can find many wedding tips on magazine’s websites. Eco-Beautiful Weddings (that I blogged about in a previous bost) is also a great e-resource.  

Or maybe just splurge and get yourself that iPad or Nook or Kindle so you can subscribe to any magazine you’d like.  It is for your wedding planning research afterall...

P.S., a Happy Birthday shout-out to my dear friend (and fellow bride-to-be) Becky!!  

Enjoy your day!  :-)

The Eco-Friendliest of Bridal Magazines

A magazine devoted entirely to eco-weddings...
I'm in dream green wedding journalism heaven!

Eco-Beautiful Weddings

A completely Earth-friendly publication (paper-free and all), this seasonal magazine offers green ideas for each and every wedding detail.

At first, I was skeptical of how readable an online magazine would be... but it's incredibly easy and navigable.  

Plus, the beauty of an online magazine, especially for a scatter-brained creative type like me, is that upon finding an interesting idea, I can instantly go to the website and decide right away if it's worth further exploration... rather than just folding the page and telling myself I'll return to it later which usually turns into weeks or months later... 

Being eco really is both earth saving and time saving!  :-)