In many Asian cultures, Lunar New Year is a time of joy, celebration, and new beginnings. Festivities often include celebrations with an abundance of food, decorations, and – if you are extra lucky – a healthy stack of red packets.
Depending on the culture, festivities can span from a few days to 15 days. Like other major holidays, increased gatherings and consumption can result in more waste, from discarded red packets and excess food leftovers to shopping for gifts. For instance, brands have recognized the opportunity to tap into the Asian and Asian diaspora market by launching campaigns and limited-edition products that embrace this holiday, such as the FENDI x FRGMT x POKÉMON collaboration and Nike’s Year of the Dragon Air Force One sneakers.
However, there is a movement, especially in Asia, to celebrate with the planet’s well-being in mind. Not only are consumers making more ethical purchase decisions during the holidays, organizations like Greener Action in Hong Kong and businesses in Singapore have launched red envelope recycling programs to address the waste problem.
From making your own decorations to reusing old red pockets, there are many ways to make your Lunar New Year celebrations as eco-friendly as possible. We can all continue honouring traditions and customs while being mindful of our impact on the environment.
Tips for eco-friendly Lunar New Year decorations
Reuse or make your own decorations
It is customary to fill your house with red decorations, from lanterns and fai chuns (door decoration). Over the years, these customary items have become mass-produced and are often made with plastic and red ink that can harm the environment. Most notably, we share decorations featuring the zodiac animal everywhere during the holiday. However, since the zodiac rotates yearly, decorations are thrown away constantly.
Instead, invest in decorations that you can use yearly. Motifs like peonies symbolize prosperity,…
Read the full article here
