That nip in the air, bazaars all decked up, lighting and decorations everywhere, and that sense of excitement—it’s Diwali day. Being among the biggest festivals celebrated in India, it is natural to get carried away—with shopping, indulging in delicacies, decorations and decor and, well, fireworks. However, amid all of this, we also hear reports of plummeting air quality, hazards to animals and noise pollution, etc. Evidently, it is crucial to factor in the environmental impact of the celebrations and make a conscious effort to minimise the environmental impact while not minimising the fun and celebrations.
While the bursting of firecrackers and lighting of sparklers remain the biggest culprits, these aren’t the only ones. Just think of the piles of discarded clothing and other articles that end up in landfills or the massive use of electricity, much of it generated through the burning of fossil fuels, there is more than giving up bursting firecrackers that one can do to celebrate a green Diwali.
Green rituals
Several tiny rituals make up this festival—lighting up diyas and lanterns, making rangoli and Lakshmi Puja, to name a few, given the celebrations can differ across geographies. Interestingly, just a few tweaks here and there can green up your celebrations.
For example, instead of buying Lakshmi and Ganesha idols made of plaster of Paris, opt for clay or paper mache ones. And if you feel like taking your sustainability game several steps ahead, go for plantable seed Ganesha and Lakshmi idols by Sow and Grow. After the prayers, you just need to sow the idols and, in a few days, you will see a marigold and tulsi plant growing in their place.
Similarly, avoid using artificial colours for rangoli, which are harmful to the environment. Instead, go for natural colours and ingredients such as flowers, coffee, flour, turmeric and pulses for a green rangoli. Not only are these not damaging to the environment, but once swept up, you can put these in compost and use them as manure. Another idea is to make a play dough rangoli. Not only will this be eco-friendly, but you can engage your kids and make it a fun activity that you can enjoy with them.
Coming to diyas, avoid the plastic ones completely. Instead, go for clay and terracotta ones through which you can also support the local artisans. You can take it a step ahead by opting for cow dung diyas, which, once used, can be mixed with water and added to the soil for manure. You can buy beautifully made gaudeep on Ellementry. You can also easily find several options on e-commerce websites, such as Amazon and Flipkart. Also, incense sticks and cones can further add to the puja charm.
Green décor
Ample ways exist to add that green charm to your Diwali decor. For example, consider natural articles like wood, flowers, dried leaves and twigs for that rustic look that is the essence of the autumn season.
If feeling especially creative, go for DIY decor, such as using discarded glass jars to make lamps, unused fabric for bunting, and pistachio shells for candle holders. If not, you can buy some sustainable decor items from sustainable product platforms Brown Living and Loopify. Also, put some thought into buying articles that can be reused and upcycled, so as not to put pressure on the landfills. Plants make for an amazingly aesthetic decor item, which should surely find a place in your festive decor. Hence, make it a point to go for plant shopping this Diwali.
Green gifts
Yes, those boxes of dry fruits and soan papdi make for convenient Diwali gifts. But why be basic when you can be creative and conscious by incorporating that much-needed dash of sustainability in your festive gifts to friends and family?
For example, the body and skincare products of Pahadi Local are not just attractive but encouraging too to indulge in a session or two of self-care. Some other brands you can consider include Neemli Naturals, Daughter Earth and Sublime Life. If more inclined to gifting something sweet, you can consider gifting chocolates from Kocoatrait. The chocolates are sustainable, and so is the packaging. You can also go for eco-conscious gift hampers on platforms like Loopify and Brown Living. An interesting gift item can be the green patakhas by Bombay Greens. Unlike the traditional patakhas, these are sown in the soil, and plants germinate in their place. Another option is the sustainably sourced gift hampers.
Sustainable gifts call for sustainable packaging. Hence, scrap that plastic for recycled papers, colourful fabrics, or even newspapers for that old-school charm. You can adorn it further with twigs, dried leaves and jute threads to accentuate the overall appeal.
Green lighting
For lighting, diyas made from clay and cow dung remain the best option. However, if going for electric lanterns and lights, keep the electricity consumption in mind, as it not only puts pressure on your purse strings but also adds to the environmental damage due to the burning of fossil fuels. Hence, opt for energy-efficient lighting, such as by replacing the traditional incandescent light with LEDs.
Here, one also needs to think about the sky lanterns. Yes, these are pretty to look at, but are fire hazards at the same time and can even strangle birds and animals. Hence, it is better to skip these.
Green fireworks
The air quality plummets terribly around Diwali across India, with the AQI (air quality index) slipping to the ‘severe’ category in the national capital region. And the bursting of firecrackers is a major reason behind it. Not only do they emit noxious gases that bring down the air quality, the emission of greenhouse gases contributes to global warming. Noise pollution is another menace caused by the bursting of firecrackers.
Hence, it is better to skip this activity, which brings more ill than joy. Also, consider the fact that that firecrackers were not part of the traditional Diwali celebration, as the festival predates the fireworks by a large margin.
However, if it is still difficult to part ways with this activity, choose green crackers, which emit less gaseous emissions, particulate matter and noise than their traditional counterparts.
Green look
When doing everything green, why not try for a green look as well? And it is extremely easy to accomplish. You just need to buy your Diwali clothes from sustainable brands.
Upcycleluxe, which claims to be “India’s first carbon-neutral marketplace”, is one brand you can consider. Grassroot by Anita Dongre is another while shopping for beautiful dresses. Handicraft brand Okhai is another option you can consider. Complete your look with a nice pair of sandals, heels, flats or whatever footwear style you prefer from Paaduks.
While these can be easily bought, why not add a personal touch by designing your Diwali look on your own using old lehengas, saris and suits? Not only will it save money, it will offer you an opportunity to be creative. And, most importantly, it will not put any pressure on the environment.
Food remains a big part of the festivities. Here, too, you can put in a conscious effort to reduce the environmental impact. For example, instead of buying food items, consider preparing much of it at home. Not only will it save cost, add a personal touch, and be healthier; it will save up on the packaging, much of which is done with articles that are bad for the environment. For Diwali parties, too, consider serving food on sustainable cutlery and avoid using plastic as much as possible.
However, even if using it, dispose it responsibly.
While Diwali is the perfect opportunity to splurge, try keeping your festive shopping to a minimum. As a considerable part of it is often ignored after a while and is not used as it was initially supposed to be, stick to shopping for what is essential. It will save you money and also prevent the discarding of much of it in the landfills.
Also, from diyas to idols and decor items, try saving as much as possible, so that they can be used the next year or for other occasions. And try upcycling these to prevent a repetitive look.
A conscious and mindful effort can truly make for a joyous and sustainable festive celebration that everyone can benefit from.
