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Tips for Creating an Eco-Friendly Dining Room
Creating an eco-friendly dining room goes beyond using the recycled logo in the corner of the menu or choosing furniture made from recycled materials. If you are going to be environmentally friendly, you need to consider all aspects.
The first area of business is the furniture. You can choose reclaimed wood furniture. The wood has been recycled from old buildings as opposed to taken from new trees. There are typically various styles of reclaimed wood and they look just as good as what you would otherwise buy new, but more unique.
Cover The Tables
You also have to decide if you’re going to cover the tables and with what. You can use tablecloths, which are laundered as needed and this can be eco-friendly. If you are going to cover the tables with paper, it should be recycled paper. However, using something that is thrown away after each guest can be seen as waste, so you want to avoid it whenever possible.
The dining room itself can be decorated with various items that you have repurposed as well. Instead of buying glass vases, you can recycle wine bottles. You can keep the label on or soak it to remove them and leave the bottle unadorned.
You also want to consider what the food is being served on. Ceramic or glass should be used whenever possible. While it takes water to clean, it can be used over and over again. If you use a disposable item, it can end up costing more and will add to landfills. If it is absolutely necessary for you to use disposable plates, it is best to select a biodegradable material.
It’s possible to be as creative as you want. Look around the entire dining room to see where you can make modifications and go with an eco-friendly choice. This can include using wood or cork as the flooring, repurposing glass globes for the lighting, and much more. Before you toss something that is “junk,” see if you can use it for something in the dining room so you can avoid buying new, where you also end up putting a lot of packaging in the garbage that will eventually go to a landfill.
Dressed Down or Dressed Up
The dining room can be dressed down or dressed up. If you buy wooden tables and chairs, they can be dressed up with various linens or seat cushions. If you want to create seat cushions, you can likely make them on your own using materials you have lying around – or even go into a thrift store to buy them.
When your guests walk into the dining room, they will see the little efforts you have made. It can be as eco-friendly as you are willing to make it.