Eco-Friendly Diwali: Sustainable Ways to Celebrate Without Pollution

I’ll be honest — every year around Diwali, I feel that weird mix of excitement and guilt. Excitement for the lights, sweets, laughter… but guilt when the air turns smoky and the streets the next morning look like a trash parade. We light diyas at night, and by morning, nature is left cleaning our mess. Doesn’t feel too festive, does it?

This year, I told myself — no more pretending. If Diwali is about light, why are we drowning it in pollution?

Crackers? I’ve Moved On (Mostly 😅)

I grew up loving crackers. That loud phatak! felt like celebration. But then came that winter morning when I couldn’t even see past my balcony because of smog. My throat was scratchy, my dog was shivering under the bed… and I thought, “Is this what joy looks like?”

Now, I skip crackers. Do I miss them? A little. But I’ve replaced them with something better — sky lanterns and laser light shows (or sometimes, just music and dancing with cousins). Turns out, laughter is louder than a bomb.

Diyas Over Fairy Lights (Trust Me, They Hit Different)

Yes, fairy lights are easier. Plug and forget. But diyas… there’s something grounding about them. That flicker, that warmth — it feels real. Plus, they’re biodegradable, reusable, and if you use mustard or ghee, they actually purify air instead of choking it.

Last year, we even painted our old diyas at home — imperfect, messy little works of art. My niece made one that looked like a potato, but we still lit it proudly. 💛

Decor, But Make It Sustainable

You know what I hate? Plastic torans that end up tangled in a drawer forever. This time, I’m going Desi:

• Mogra and marigold garlands — their smell > any room freshener.
• Rangoli with rice & flowers — no chemical colors sticking to tiles.
• Old dupattas as drapes — soft, colorful, personal.

It’s not Pinterest-perfect, but it feels mine. And isn’t that the whole point?

Sweets Without Waste (and Without Guilt)

Diwali is 70% food, let’s be honest. I used to buy five different sweet boxes… half went stale, half got thrown. Now, I make fewer, but meaningful things — like that one big bowl of homemade kheer everyone fights for.

Also, no plastic trays this time. Steel dabbas. They may not look ‘fancy’, but they carry memories — not microplastics.

Gifting Light, Not Landfill

I’ve stopped giving those gold-wrapped gift boxes (you know, the ones that look nice but end up in the bin in 10 minutes?). Instead:

• A plant
• Handmade candles
• A book, maybe, with a note inside

Simple, thoughtful. Something that stays longer than the festival.

Because Festivity Shouldn’t Mean Filth

Here’s something I remind myself: If I love my culture, I should protect the land it stands on.
What’s the point of praying to Lakshmi Maa for prosperity, while dumping waste on the same Earth that blesses us?

Small shifts. That’s all it takes. Not perfection. Just awareness.

This Diwali, I Want To Breathe Easy

I want to wake up the next morning, step outside and smell winter air, not burnt gunpowder. I want my city to glow, not choke.

Maybe it’s idealistic. Maybe people will still burst crackers anyway. But I’ll do my part. Quietly. Consistently.

And who knows? Someone might notice. Someone might follow.

If Diwali is truly about light… then let’s not cover it in smoke.

💛 Here’s to a festival we can celebrate — without apologizing to the sky.