Post-Diwali Pollution Control: Tips To Reduce Air And Noise Pollution

Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is celebrated with fireworks, lights, and sweets. However, the firecrackers used during the festivities produce a variety of dangerous chemicals that negatively impact the environment and human health. The smoke from firecrackers pushes air pollution to hazardous levels, causing respiratory issues and even severe anxiety attacks in animals. To reduce pollution after Diwali, several measures can be taken, such as avoiding firecrackers, opting for eco-friendly alternatives, using biodegradable decorations, limiting power usage, gifting sustainable products, organizing community clean-up drives, and promoting recycling. These small changes can significantly reduce pollution and promote sustainability during Diwali celebrations.

Avoid firecrackers or opt for eco-friendly alternatives

Diwali is a festival of lights, celebrated with fireworks, sparkling lights, and sweets. However, firecrackers are known to be the main cause of air pollution during the festival. They produce a variety of dangerous chemicals that are harmful to the air and cause a significant rise in air pollution levels, making it difficult for people to breathe, especially those with respiratory conditions.

Avoid Firecrackers

If possible, avoid using firecrackers altogether. This will significantly reduce air and noise pollution. Firecrackers create noise and produce poisonous smoke, which is harmful to health. The loud noise coupled with intense light can also cause severe anxiety attacks in animals, especially birds. If you cannot avoid burning firecrackers completely, try to limit their use. Avoid noise-producing firecrackers, and participate in or organize community-based fireworks shows, which are conducted responsibly.

Opt for Eco-Friendly Alternatives

Instead of traditional firecrackers, choose eco-friendly alternatives such as sparklers or noise-free fireworks made with reduced chemical content. These alternatives are safer and have a minimal environmental impact. Eco-friendly fireworks produce less smoke, making colours more visible and creating a brighter display. They also produce less noise, with sound levels between 110 and 125 decibels, compared to conventional firecrackers, which produce sounds of around 160 decibels. Look for green crackers that are defined by the CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR NEERI) as firecrackers with a smaller shell, no ash, and/or additives to reduce emissions. These crackers are identified by a distinctive green colour logo and a Quick Response (QR) code. There are three categories:

• SWAS (Safe Water Releaser): Releases water vapour to reduce dust and emits 30% less particulate matter.
• STAR (Safe Thermite Cracker): Contains no potassium nitrate or sulphur and reduces sound intensity.
• SAFAL: Uses minimal aluminium and more magnesium, producing less noise than traditional firecrackers.

Use biodegradable decorations and packaging

Diwali, the festival of lights, is a significant Hindu festival celebrated with much enthusiasm. It is traditionally celebrated with fireworks, lights, and sweets. However, with growing concerns about air pollution in Indian cities, there is a need to adopt eco-friendly practices during Diwali.

One way to reduce pollution during and after Diwali is to use biodegradable decorations and packaging. Here are some ways to do this:

Opt for Natural, Biodegradable Decorations

Instead of plastic decorations, choose biodegradable options like flowers, leaves, and paper-based materials. Marigold flowers, mango leaves, and banana leaves are beautiful and eco-friendly choices. You can also create rangolis using natural materials like rice flour, flower petals, turmeric, or henna powder instead of artificial colours, which often contain chemicals. These natural decorations are not only aesthetically pleasing but also reduce waste and pollution.

Choose Eco-Friendly Gift Wrapping

Diwali gifts are often wrapped in sparkly plastic wraps, ribbons, or decorative gift bags, generating significant waste. Opt for sustainable alternatives like cotton or jute cloth wraps, which are not only eco-friendly but also reusable. These alternatives add a rustic charm to gifts and reduce the amount of single-use plastic waste.

Reuse and Upcycle Diwali Diyas and Candles

Traditional clay diyas and wax candles used during Diwali can be reused or upcycled instead of being discarded after the celebrations. Clean and store the diyas for the next year, or use them for handmade decorations or as mini indoor planters. For candles, collect the melted wax and mould it into new candles, adding a personal touch to your home while reducing waste. Alternatively, LED diyas are a longer-lasting, reusable option for eco-friendly lighting.

Choose Biodegradable Rangoli Colours

Making rangoli is an integral part of Diwali decorations, but synthetic rangoli colours often contain toxic chemicals that are harmful to the environment and skin. Choose natural colours made from organic materials or biodegradable options. After the celebrations, dried flowers used for rangoli can be composted or used as potpourri, ensuring nothing goes to waste.

By using biodegradable decorations and packaging, you can reduce pollution, minimise waste, and promote sustainability during Diwali. These small changes allow you to honour traditions while protecting the environment for future generations.

Gift eco-conscious presents

Gifting eco-conscious presents is a great way to reduce pollution after Diwali. Here are some ideas for eco-friendly gifts that will delight your friends and family:

Indoor Plants

Low-maintenance indoor plants are a wonderful gift option as they help improve indoor air quality and radiate positive energy. They are compact and easy to gift, and usually come in aesthetically pleasing packages that hide the soil and residual water.

Organic Skincare Products

Exposure to air pollutants is a significant concern, especially with the rise in AQI levels post-Diwali. Gifting natural skincare products can help your loved ones take care of their skin and protect it from the harmful effects of pollution.

Healthy and Organic Food Choices

Immunity-boosting, organic, and healthy food options are becoming increasingly popular as gifts. Opt for plant-based, sugar-free, and preservative-free treats such as dry fruits, nuts, and organic sweets.

Sustainable Home Decor

Sustainable and ethically-made home decor items can make a great gift and communicate your eco-friendly values. Look for items made from natural, biodegradable materials such as bamboo, jute, clay, or recycled materials.

Eco-Friendly Diyas

Diwali is the festival of lights, and you can gift beautiful terracotta diyas of various sizes, shapes, and colors. These diyas are not only traditional and aesthetically pleasing but also biodegradable and cost-effective.

Eco-Friendly Hampers

You can also opt for ready-made eco-friendly hampers that contain a variety of sustainable gifts such as metal diyas, natural soy candles, plantable crackers, dry fruits, organic tea, and more. These hampers offer a convenient way to gift an assortment of eco-conscious presents.

Clean up after celebrations

The festival of Diwali ends with a lot of garbage. After the celebrations, the streets are filled with plastic, paper, chemicals, and other types of rubbish. It is important that individuals take the initiative to clean the streets and their surroundings after Diwali. Each individual must clean up their own mess.

The day after Diwali usually sees a surge in Air Quality Index (AQI) levels. This year, the festivities took a higher toll on almost all regions in Delhi. Of the 56 AQI monitoring stations in the city, only one recorded "moderate" levels of pollution, while nine stations reported "poor" conditions and 46 reported "very poor" air quality.

To prevent pollution, it is important to dispose of waste properly after celebrations. Select eco-friendly gifts and decorating items. Avoid using electric lights to illuminate your home and opt for diyas (earthen lamps) and candles instead. This saves electricity.

You can also organise or join a community clean-up drive to help collect waste from celebrations. This will not only keep public spaces clean but also raise awareness about the importance of reducing and managing waste.

Promote recycling

Diwali, the festival of lights, is a time of great excitement and fervour, uniting people of all ages and communities. However, the traditional use of firecrackers, disposable items, and non-biodegradable materials during the celebrations can have a detrimental impact on the environment. To reduce pollution after Diwali and promote sustainability, here are some ways to encourage recycling:

• Spread awareness about the benefits of recycling: Educate your family, friends, and community about the importance of recycling and how it can help reduce pollution and waste. Emphasize the environmental consequences of not recycling and how recycling can contribute to a greener Diwali.
• Demonstrate the value of recycling: Explain that recycling can reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and can also decrease air and water pollution caused by burning or disposing of non-recyclable materials improperly.
• Provide clear recycling guidelines: Help others understand what items can be recycled and how to sort their waste effectively. Explain that many decorations, wrapping papers, and containers can be recycled, and encourage them to recycle as much as possible.

Encourage the Use of Recyclable Materials:

• Choose recyclable decorations: Instead of plastic decorations, opt for natural, biodegradable options like flowers, leaves, and paper-based materials. Get creative and make decorations from recycled items such as old photo frames, cushion covers, and clay plates.
• Gift recyclable items: When giving gifts, consider sustainable and eco-conscious options that are made from recycled materials or are recyclable themselves. For example, you can gift terracotta diyas, indoor plants, reusable cloth bags, or stainless steel bottles.
• Use recyclable packaging: Avoid plastic packaging and non-recyclable wrapping paper. Instead, use recyclable kraft paper, cloth, jute, or even newspaper to wrap gifts. Furoshiki, the Japanese art of fabric wrapping, provides a creative and reusable alternative.

Recycle Waste Generated During Diwali:

• Organise a community recycling drive: After the festival, work with your community to collect and sort waste from the celebrations. Set up recycling bins or stations to make it convenient for people to recycle their waste.
• Encourage proper disposal of firecrackers: If firecrackers are used, ensure that the remnants are properly collected and recycled. Educate others about the harmful chemicals and toxic smoke produced by firecrackers and the importance of responsible disposal.
• Recycle electronic waste: If you or your community members plan to purchase new items for Diwali, such as lights or electronics, encourage them to recycle their old items instead of throwing them away. Provide information on proper e-waste disposal and recycling centres.

By promoting recycling during and after Diwali, you can help reduce pollution, minimise waste, and contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly celebration.

Frequently asked questions