Sustainability Experts Reveal Environmental Cost Of Hen Celebrations
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Roughly 250,000 hen parties are held every year with an average hen budget of £249 – but the environmental cost is much more. Hen and stag do’s contribute a whopping 500,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. Hen parties are synonymous with glamour and extravagance, often outshining stag celebrations in terms of opulence.
Image Photo by Quan Nguyen on Unsplash
Sustainability experts from BusinessWaste.co.uk share five key reasons why hen parties tend to pollute more than stag do’s.
1. Novelty single-use plastic items
Hen parties frequently feature an array of plastic novelty items, from rude-shaped straws to plastic prosecco glasses and decorations. The average hen party generates around 1.5kg of plastic waste per person. It’s anything from “she said yes” signs, to plastic sashes and tiaras. Girls often go all out when it comes to decorations, and all this gets thrown away when the party is over.
2. Travelling abroad
Destination hen parties have become increasingly popular, with groups often flying abroad for weekend-long celebrations. The latest statistics show that hen parties are nine times more likely to involve plane travel than stag parties. This trend significantly increases their carbon footprint, as air travel is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. A single return flight from London to Barcelona emits approximately 0.3 tonnes of CO2 per passenger. In contrast, stag parties are more likely to take place locally, minimising travel-related emissions.
3. Fast fashion waste
Themed costumes and custom team t-shirts are staples of most hen parties. Such fast fashion items contribute to the 300,000 tons of clothing that end up in UK landfills each year. These hen outfits often follow certain themes too. The more unique the theme, the likelier they’ll only be worn once and then discarded, adding to the fast fashion problem. Many are also made from synthetic materials that aren’t biodegradable, so these costumes contribute to textile waste and environmental pollution. Stag parties, on the other hand, tend to avoid elaborate dress codes, resulting in less textile waste.
4. Decadent decorations
Hen parties often involve elaborate decorations, from balloons and banners to glitter and confetti. These decorations, while visually appealing, are usually made from non-recyclable materials and are discarded after a single use, which harms the environment. The UK uses around 10 million balloons annually, many of which end up in the ocean, harming marine life. Stag parties typically have simpler setups, reducing their decorative waste.
5. High-end experiences
Many hen parties include high-end experiences such as spa days, luxury hotel stays, and professional entertainment. These activities, while enjoyable, often come with hidden environmental costs, from the energy consumption of luxury facilities to the waste generated by catered events. In contrast, stag parties often focus on more straightforward, less resource-intensive activities like pub nights or local sports events.
Mark Taylor, sustainability expert from BusinessWaste.co.uk adds: “The glamorous nature of hen parties leads to a lot more waste and pollution compared to stag parties, generally speaking. By reconsidering some of these traditions and opting for more sustainable practices, the environmental impact of these celebrations can be significantly reduced.”
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