Diwali is a joyous occasion celebrated with friends, family, and numerous lights. Diyas and lamps are lit and homes are cleaned and decorated on this festival to welcome the Goddess Lakshmi. The Goddess is venerated with deep devotion using numerous puja items like the Kalash, bell, puka thali etc. Loved ones visit each other in their traditional best and exchange gifts among other things during this time. Kids and adults alike also burst crackers and enjoy themselves at this festival.
While all of these activities bring joy to those who celebrate, there are other parties who are negatively impacted during the festival: pets, senior citizens and the environment in general. Smoke from crackers and fireworks directly pollutes the air while the burnt material of firecrackers also causes a lot of dirt and waste. The noise can be harmful to children, pets, and senior citizens too. If you worry about the planet and its creatures, it is important now more than ever to consider celebrating Diwali in an eco-friendly manner. Here are 5 ways to do so:
Reduce Food Waste
On Diwali, sweet treats and traditional savoury dishes are made and feasted upon. Often excess food is made on festivals that go untouched. This results in food wastage. If you want to have an eco-friendly Diwali, it is important to be mindful of the quantity of food you prepare. Make sure to store excess food with the needy or in the refrigerator to be consumed at a later time instead of wasting it.
Refrain from bursting crackers
Firecrackers cause both noise and air pollution. The waste from crackers also roads and public areas. They are also unsafe and can be quite harmful if not carefully used. Crackers are hence not environment friendly and must be avoided as much as possible for an eco-friendly Diwali.
Use Eco-friendly Puja items and lamps
Instead of spending money and electricity on lavish LED lights and plastic lamps, choose earthen diyas and long-lasting agarbattis. Mangaldeep produces lo-smoke agarbatti which can be used on such occasions. A Homelites matchbox contains long and high-quality matchsticks that burn easily while being safe, hence making them effective for festivals like Diwali.
Use authentic Dhunachi cups made from pure ingredients like Chhobra, Camphor, and Dhuno as another traditional incense alternative to lights. Choose natural and organic Rangoli powders instead of artificial powders. Use dried flowers to make rangoli powders and local leaves to decorate your doorstep. Buy decoration that can be reused multiple times instead of just once.
Buy fewer new items
Even though the tradition of Diwali requires new clothes and even gold or silver, we can still make sure to reduce buying new items such as decorations, lamps and clothes. Using metal plates, lamps etc means they can be reused for every festive occasion. If you are creative enough, you can rehash old festive clothes and create new and spectacular outfits. One can also opt to rent clothes or certain items for the festive season if required. This way we reduce consumerism and our carbon footprint and encourage the act of reusing.
Gift organic and eco-friendly items
Instead of spending heaps of money on unusable items and perishable goods, choose to gift meaningful items like organic products. There is a range of organic products that can work as Diwali gifts including scented soaps, candles, glassware, food and more. This way you are being eco-friendly while still adhering to the traditions of Diwali.
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