Diwali is the one time when it's completely justified to go all out—whether it's for shopping for new outfits, or gifting, or even the festivities. But amidst the pomp and show, it's important to not forget the things that matter too, like making conscious choices when it comes to the environment. So don't fret, and just refer to this guide to celebrating Diwali in an eco-friendly manner.
Green Diwali Ideas: The Ultimate Guide to Eco-Friendly Diwali Celebration
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Use Compostable Tableware
Shop eco-friendly tableware from Fresh. In case you are unaware of what compostable tableware is, it refers to dishes and utensils made from materials that can naturally break down and decompose over time without damaging the environment. Fresh offers tableware made from natural plant-based materials like bamboo, cornstarch and sugarcane.
Use Organic Colors For Your Rangolis
Flower petals are a great option for an eco-friendly Diwali. But if you like to keep your rangoli for a longer time, we have some great sustainable colour options for you. You can check out Monks Bouffe to find beautiful and bright natural colours, which are stain-free, handmade, and are safe for kids, animals and your skin.
Up Your Decorative Game With Solar-Powered Decorative Lights
It goes without saying that Diwali means are energy consumption goes up by a lot. To overcome this, we suggest solar-powered electric lights. These lights can stay on for about six to ten hours per night. Check out Hardoll Enterprise for a few options of solar-powered lights. They are extremely affordable and have really pretty options.
Gift Sustainable Beauty
This bundle from Bare Necessities offers something for your face, body, and hair. We have tried multiple products from this brand and it has never disappointed—quality products that have never resulted in an allergic reaction! Anyone who uses their products is bound to fall in love, which is why this makes for a great gift.
BioQ's Kits Make The Perfect Eco-Friendly Gifts
Bio Q is a brand that does eco-friendly solutions for daily needs. From mugs made out of bamboo scraps to plantable calendars, pens, and coir pots, this kit has everything you will need to have your stationery in order, that too in an environment-friendly way! This hamper has a plantable calendar, mini jars of raw honey, cork diya, cork sticky notes, a plantable notepad, eco-friendly playing cards, and some postcards as well.
Gift Plants & Terrariums
Don't know what to get for your friends and family that won't make you feel like a you're imposing unnecessary purchases on them? You can never go wrong with gifting them a bunch of plants, seeds, and saplings, or even those pretty terrariums. To make it easier for you, here's a list of nurseries in the city. Find the nearest one and get shopping!
Buy Diyas & Home Decor At The Matka Market
The market has a whole lane of potters who live on this street (the reason why it’s open till 3 AM) and sell different items like blue Jaipuri pots and vases, diyas, terracotta lamps, and black Manipuri matkas too. It’s the kind of place where you can unearth a gem at every other stall. The prices start around INR 50. The best part is that you'll also find clay diyas and candles here (starting at INR 10 for 12 pieces).
Gift Earthen Pottery & Home Decor
Fresh clay is spun into cool art at Claymen studio and you have to check out the glazed, lovely little knick-knacks here. You'll find a plethora of gorgeous bits and pieces in cool hues and beautiful ceramic finishes. Think of everything from vases, pots, planters, cutlery holders, cups, bowls, incense holders, chalices, ashtrays, bottles, table figurines, and lots more.
Donate Leftover Food To These Organisations
Speaking of Diwali parties, we know what goes hand in hand with parties - leftover food waste. While there are many in our city who go hungry, the privileged oftentimes end up wasting it. Well, if the food you prepared (or ordered) is still in good condition after your party, you can get in touch with Robin Hood Army or Feeding India and put it to good use.
Buy Upcycled Accessories & Bags For Yourself & Your Friends
Diwali calls for shopping and gifting, but we suggest this year you go the upcycled way with Green The Map. It's India’s first online store for upcycled, eco-friendly, green home and lifestyle products that help you live less wastefully. This brand believes in making the most of waste, and use off-cuts and surplus fabric to craft their products. From accessories to stationery, cushion covers and upcycled glasses, Green The Map offers many quirky and cool products.
Buy & Gift Flower-Cycled Incense For Diwali Puja
The people at Phool Co. collect floral waste from temples and mosques, recycle it into incense, vermicompost and biodegradable packaging material with the help of women 'flowercyclers'. They sell these products in the market and in the process save almost eight tonnes of floral waste from being dumped in the Ganges on a daily basis. Crazy, right? It’s the perfect example of a circular economy model that is sustainable, generates stable employment for women (73 full-time women employees), and stops at least one source of pollutant from entering and destroying the river.
It's the perfect gift for your friends and family!
Choose Upcycled Decor
For us, it’s important to be able to extend the life cycle of each product we purchase and consume, to minimise landfill waste and its consequent impact on the environment. This Mumbai-based platform makes it easy to upcycle old clothes that we no longer wear, into a variety of products, including bags, baby clothes, cushion covers, and stuffed toys. This floor mat is so colourful that it serves as Diwali rangoli too, don’t you think?
Wear Sustainable Too!
Ambiya's collection combines traditional techniques with modern silhouettes. We love the suit sets, dresses, tops, and more, all of which are made with organic fabric that's hand-printed. This slow fashion brand also has a bunch of home decor, such as cushion covers, cheese boards, bedsheets, and wall art.