With Ganesh Chaturthi just a week away, it will soon be a time for joy, devotion, and community to come together. But with the glitter, colour, and grandeur often comes an environmental cost- plastic waste, chemical pollution in water bodies, and mass consumption. This year, let’s bring Bappa home in a way that honours both tradition and the Earth.
1. Choose Biodegradable Clay Idols
Opt for idols made from shaadu (natural clay) instead of Plaster of Paris, which contains harmful chemicals and takes years to dissolve. Clay idols naturally disintegrate without harming aquatic life.
Clay Idols
Meet Atharva, the cutest 4-inch sage-clay Ganesha from Plantables. It’s a charming, eco-friendly idol embedded with marigold seeds. After your festivities, you can perform the Visarjan of the idol in a bucket of water at home, and transfer it into a pot of soil to grow your own marigold plant.
Red Soil Idols
You can also welcome home idols made of red soil. Ones from Tree Ganesha also come with natural colours, organic fertilisers, and seeds.
Paper Mâché Idols
Paper mâché Ganesha idols are lightweight yet biodegradable, made from recycled paper, an eco-friendly choice that helps reduce waste.
2. Say No to Toxic Paints
Go for idols painted with natural dyes or unpainted clay for a raw, earthy aesthetic. Non-toxic paints ensure harmful chemicals don’t seep into water sources during immersion.
3. Source Locally Made Decor
Support artisans by buying handmade decorations from your area. Materials like jute, bamboo, coconut shells, and fresh flowers create a beautiful, low-waste festive look while reducing your carbon footprint.
4. Reuse and Reinvent Old Decor
Before shopping for new ones, check what you already have. Last year’s fabric buntings, diyas, and lights can be reused or refreshed with a few creative tweaks.
5. Minimise Single-Use Plastics
Ditch plastic plates, cups, and cutlery for reusable steel or compostable alternatives. Cloth bags can replace plastic carry bags for offerings and prasad.
6. Give Green Gifts
Swap generic sweets and packaged items for potted plants, seed bombs, or locally made crafts. These gifts last longer and carry a meaningful touch.
7. Guide Your Guests to Celebrate Consciously
Encourage visitors to avoid plastic-wrapped prasad and to bring their own reusable water bottles. Share your eco-conscious choices; it might inspire them too.
8. Go Plastic-Free with Offerings
Instead of cellophane-wrapped garlands and synthetic flowers, choose fresh blooms, leaves, and organic offerings. They decompose naturally and add fragrance to the celebration.
9. Choose Sustainable Immersion Methods
Use designated immersion tanks or opt for home visarjan in a water tub. This allows you to collect the remnants for composting, preventing river and sea pollution.
This Ganesh Chaturthi, let’s welcome Bappa into homes and hearts with devotion that extends to protecting the environment. Small changes in how we celebrate can create a lasting positive impact, ensuring that our traditions remain as pure as our intentions.