7 Tips for Eco-Friendly Diwali this year

Deepavali, also known as Diwali, which means "series of lights," is celebrated to symbolize the victory of good over evil and right over wrong. During this time of year, we celebrate pleasure and joy by sharing it with our friends and family, lighting our houses to welcome Goddess Lakshmi and remember Lord Rama's homecoming to Ayodhya.
The surge in plastic and food waste littering the streets, the alarming decline in air quality, and the appearance of anguish in the things we hold dear—people, animals, and the environment—have all been tightly linked to this auspicious day in recent years.

Let's pause and consider the extensive effects our activities will have on our environment as Diwali approaches. There could yet be a possibility for us to make some positive changes that will result in a happier festival.

Here are my 7 tips for an eco-friendly Diwali this year.

1. Start with Charity

Is there a better way to observe the festival of lights than by making someone else's life more enlightening? Remember not to toss away items you feel are unnecessary, as you may be getting ready for your annual house clean-up. Another household may utilize the very things. Create two bags, one for items that can be recycled and the other for items that will be thrown away. You may put the recycling bag with your worn clothing, shoes, toys, and linens in it. Give this purse to an NGO. Your clothing donations will be used to outfit those less fortunate for Diwali.

Make sure to dispose  the disposable things in your bag responsibly to minimise the impact they have on the environment. Use e-waste dumpsters, for instance, after removing electrical devices and extracting the silicon batteries.

2. Use Natural products for Rangoli

Diwali is a celebrates the arrival of the goddess Lakshmi into our homes. For her to bestow her blessings on our house, we clean and decorate it with rangoli. Rangoli is a beautiful idea, and it makes our home appear very lovely, but it has one drawback: because synthetic colors are used, it is bad for the environment.
Instead, make a stunning rangoli out of rice flour, flower petals, or other natural dyes as your easy way to protect the earth this year. A rangoli's attractiveness is enhanced and given a new appearance with flowers. After the Diwali celebrations are done, the dried flower petals may simply be converted into fertiliser for your plant soil.

3. Use Earthen Lamps

According to mythology, when Lord Rama, his wife Sita, and his brother Lakshmana returned to their hometown following a 14-year exile, the residents of Ayodhya lighted clay lamps with ghee to light their route. This Diwali, let's celebrate it the same way Ayodhya did years ago by adorning our houses with lovely handmade earthen lamps that don't harm the environment. One of the most lovely sights to view is the glitter of diyas in the nighttime air. Try to stay away from painted items with chemical colours splashed on them.

4. Make your own Sweets

Many of the market's sweets include artificial substances that might be harmful to our health. This Diwali, make your own confections rather than purchasing them. And if you do make them yourself, you can be sure that your family will be enjoying treats that were made with safe ingredients, and the delight of producing treats at home will undoubtedly enhance the celebrations.

5. Let the sound of laughter take the place of the cracker clatter.

Encourage group celebrations rather than private ones. Get together with family and friends in your neighbourhood to celebrate Diwali by holding a cultural event, organising activities for the kids, and, of course, exchanging presents. In contrast to the ear-splitting explosions that seem to compete with each other, celebrating with people in your neighbourhood fosters a sense of camaraderie and joy. Switch to the sound of happiness and festivity this year instead of those noisy crackers. But if your kids beg for fireworks, pick noise-reducing alternatives like portable sparklers that are less damaging to the environment.

6. Exchange hand-made gifts

This Diwali, exchange handmade presents. Let your creativity run wild as you and your family create lovely Diwali presents or cards for the celebration. Beautifully made handmade gifts and personalized cards let your loved ones know that you took the time to make them something unique. It will not only mean a lot more to them but also aid in environmental preservation.
Several green retailers and non-profit organizations throughout the holiday season also offer hand-crafted items ideal for Diwali gifts while supporting a cause. These items may include paper lamps, ornate earthen lamps, jute bags, cloth purses, handcrafted paintings, and more.

7. Wrap gifts with newspaper

Try using newspaper to wrap your gifts if you want a more rustic appearance while preserving all those trees cut down for wrapping paper that will only be taken away and tossed out into the trash bin the next day. If you don't want black and white newspapers to cover your colorful Diwali presents, paint the newspaper to add a splash of holiday color. Ultimately, the gift itself and the thought that went into it matter more than the packaging.

Conclusion

There is no better moment to start acting than right now; acknowledge the situation and lay the groundwork for a path toward a future that is both wholesome and ecologically responsible. Make a commitment to having an ecologically safe and pollution-free Diwali this year by using these 7 Eco-Friendly Diwali Tips.

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