In what may be seen as a remarkable way to cut down on the environmental footprint of weddings, Kerala will soon have a green wedding protocol in place.

In a meeting convened by the Ernakulam district collector Muhammed Y Safirulla on Friday, the bureaucrat urged the use of reusable products at weddings.

The meeting was attended by auditorium owners, catering service agents and religious and cultural leaders. It was reportedly decided to cut down on the use of disposable items at weddings.

“With the implementation of the green protocol, positive changes can be brought in waste management. Community meeting and religious preaching can be utilised as occasions for spreading the message. Organisations and institutions should take up scientific waste management as their responsibility,” the collector was quoted as saying.

Observing that around 30% of the waste generated in the district on a daily basis comes from weddings and gatherings, the collector pressed on the importance of using reusable items.

Kudumbasree will be tapped to ensure the availability of utensils on rental basis for weddings, states the report.

Catering service agents and auditorium owners have been asked to submit a consent letter by January 13.

According to the protocol, the auditoriums will be required to display a board at the venue, to spread the message of using reusable products. The administration has also suggested that every auditorium conduct at least one such wedding before February this year.