5 Tips for an Eco-friendly Diwali

Diwali is a festival of fun, food and lights, and of course reunions with friends and family. But with a lot of fanfare comes waste and pollution. Here’s a list of 5 simple tips for a waste-free, pollution-free eco-friendly Diwali. 

1. Say no to crackers

People love firecrackers, but we need to realize that Diwali is a festival of lights. It is about togetherness and celebrating the return of Lord Ram from Vanvaas. Crackers contain harmful elements like Sulphur, Cadmium, Copper, Barium, and Aluminium. On burning they release Nitrous Oxide and particulate matter which cause smog. During Diwali, the pollution in the air goes up by 30%.

This Diwali let us all pledge to give up on crackers in an attempt to not just save the very air we breathe but also to embrace the true essence of Diwali, which is a festival of light, purity, and harmony.

For a better, cleaner, healthier future, and a Happy Diwali in a true sense, let’s start #CuttingDownOnCrackers.

   2. Use clay lamps 

Using Diyas to light up our house and surroundings is an age-old Diwali practice. Sustainability isn’t a trend. It has been passed down to us from generations. Use clay lamps, old diyas and LED lights instead of fancy lamps. LED lights are energy-efficient and consume 80% less energy than regular lamps. Clay lamps are eco-friendly especially if they aren’t painted with chemical dyes and can be preserved to be used on to the next Diwali. 

  3. Use disposable/biodegradable cutlery

Diwali is majorly about food, delicacies, sweets and again lots of food. Doing a stack of dirty dishes is definitely a task. People usually opt for styrofoam dishes and plastic cutlery that are easily disposable to cut down on the hassle of washing dishes. Make use of banana leaves or plates made of dried sal leaves instead. They are biodegradable and do not leave behind waste like single-use cutlery. Also, the green of the banana leaves adds vibrancy in the already colorful Indian cuisine!

  4. Make a biodegradable Rangoli!

Rangoli also known as Kolam in Southern India is an ancient religious floor art. But the importance of Rangoli is not just related to religion or decoration. In earlier days, Rangoli was a way of sharing our food to ants, birds and small insects. With readymade chemical colors available, Rangoli is no longer edible. This Diwali, try drawing the true purpose of Rangoli by making your own colors. You can use turmeric powder, dry sand, rice flour, salt, coffee powder, and kumkum to create a palette of colors for making Rangoli. It will not only be chemical-free but also provide food to small insects. 

   5. Opt for sustainable gifting

The best thing you can give someone is a sustainable habit. Instead of passing down sweets to your friends and relatives, this Diwali gift them something valuable. At EcoRight we sell bags made of cotton, jute, juton, and recycled cotton that are great alternatives to single-use plastic bags. Our bags are made with natural fabrics and love and crafted to last forever! 

Practice these 5 eco-friendly Diwali tips and spread the festive cheer responsibly. 

We wish you a very Happy Diwali!!

EcoRight

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