Super Eco

Photo credit: ckroberts61's, flickr

TeensTurningGreen are cleaning up the prom, and it's not too late to start your own Project Green Prom. With a few simple eco tips and tricks, you'll be boogey-ing your way to a night you'll never forget and a lower environmental stiletto-print. Here's how:

1. Reduce: Your prom-related gas consumption. Give the eco-tacky, gas-guzzling Hummer limo the shaft. Carpool in an alt energy hybrid or EV ride instead. Or, hitch a ride on the city bus or metro rail. Invite your friends to join. Party on the bus, baby!

2. Get all dolled up, naturally. Primp with makeup, hair care and body care that's as environmentally-friendly, chemical-free (no preservatives, parabens, etc.) and cruelty-free as possible. Even better if you can score certified organic products, like these pure enough to eat vegan LUSH soaps, lotions and bath bombs. Go for smoky eyes with Urban Decay's blendable Midnight Cowboy Rides Again, a (Olympics-style?) vegan eye shadow that glitters gold, silver and bronze and is never tested on cute, fluffy Webkinz. 

3. Reuse: Beg, borrow or rent whatever you can, from your tux/dress to prom venue dishware, linens and decorations. Gently used prom styles are cheaper, more sustainable and more unique than generic off-the-rack fashions.

4. SIY instead—sew your own affordable eco-fashions using green fabrics, yarns, even your own hair! How sweet would you and your date look in duct tape? Brave the Stuck at the Prom Duck Tape Scholarship contest and find out. Ouch on the undress.

5. Recycle: prom paperware and plasticware. Use real silverware, if possible, or stock up on recycled (edible?) paper plates, recylced plastic utensils and Seventh Generation napkins. Also, set up recycling and compost collection bins.  

6. Flower power sustainably. Buy your date's local, organic, fair trade corsage from Veriflora, a certified sustainably grown national florist. Or buy beautiful buds from Whole Foods, where all of their fresh flowers are guaranteed fair trade.  

7. Clean green before and after the prom scene. Try one of these DIY natural lemon, vinegar or baking soda cleaners or buy Earth Friendly Cleaning products. Their citrus-scented bubbles are free of petrochemicals, bleach, ammonia, phosphates and other eco-icky stuff (that might scuff up your green manicure).