It’s that time of the year again—the season of elation, revelries, and good times is upon us. With the excitement for Diwali celebrations building, how about going green with your plans this year? Today, we will discuss some simple ways to celebrate a sustainable Diwali and do your bit for Mother Nature. Remember, going green does not mean you need to sacrifice the fun part.
A sustainable Diwali uses reusable LED lights, clay or reusable diyas, natural decorations and fewer or no crackers. LED string lights use a fraction of the electricity of old bulb sets and can be reused for several years if stored well.
Here we have listed down five simple ways to celebrate an environmentally friendly Diwali at home.
Go for LED lights and eco-friendly Diyas
When it comes to Diwali celebrations, the very first thing that usually comes to our mind is lighting. During this time, you will find many shops and street vendors selling those sub-standard electric lights. This year, avoid those and instead go for clay pot diyas or diyas made using organic materials, which will not only create that classic Diwali vibe but also help support local artisans. Another way to light up your home right this Diwali is by opting for energy-saving LED festive lights. If you are looking for superior quality, made-in-India festive lights, you can take a look at Orient Electric’s Joylite range of festive lights. With Joylite, you will not only elevate the festive ambiance of your space but also choose high-quality lights that outshine subpar alternatives. Unlike ordinary decorative lights that often fizzle out after a single season, Joylite festive lights are built to last.
How much electricity do Diwali lights use?
Formula: kWh = watts × hours ÷ 1,000. Illustrative example: a 10W LED string used 5 hours a night for 10 nights uses 0.5 kWh. An old 40W bulb string used the same way uses 2 kWh, so the LED set saves 1.5 kWh.
Diyas or LED lights: which is more sustainable?
|
|
Clay diya |
LED light |
|
Reusable |
Often reused if not cracked |
Yes, for years |
|
Energy |
Oil or ghee |
A few units of electricity |
|
Flame |
Yes |
No |
|
Best use |
Pooja and ritual |
Long-hours decoration |
Use diyas for ritual moments and LEDs for long hours.
How do I make lights last five seasons?
1. Test each set before hanging.
2. Remove gently; never pull by the wire.
3. Coil loosely around a cardboard tube.
4. Store in a dry box.
5. Keep spare bulbs or fuses if the set allows.
Eco-friendly decoration ideas
• Rangoli from flowers, rice flour and turmeric.
• Paper or cloth lanterns.
• Coconut-shell diyas.
• Flower torans.
• Reused glass jars as tea-light holders.
Get creative – Go for DIY décor
Say no to plastic decorations this year. Instead, get your creative juices flow and try DIY décor. There is so much you can do with things lying around at home. Diwali is incomplete without a rangoli, wherein you can swap regular colour powder with organic dyes or fresh flowers. You can use natural colours such as henna, rice powder, and turmeric to make your Rangoli stand out. You can also try your creative skills to paint discarded glass bottles and jars to make decorative pieces. Other eco-friendly decorations you could make at home could be paper lanterns, coconut shell diyas, and flower torans for entrances. You can make them alone or involve your family members as well to add more fun to the DIY process.
Choose Sustainable Gifts
Exchanging gifts during Diwali is so common, it’s a way to share your love and blessings with your near and dear ones. If you are looking to add a green twist to gifting, why not consider gifting sustainable items and gift hampers to promote happiness and sustainability at the same time. Choose zero-plastic, chemical-free products as gifts which could include seed crackers, organic food hampers, plantable stationery, coconut shell candle sets, organic incense stick sets, potted plants, and handmade and eco-friendly handicrafts, to name a few. When choosing gifts, always try to pick those which can help support local artisans.
Brighten, Don't Burst
Diwali is all about being happy and spreading the happiness around. This Diwali, let’s go for a cracker-free celebration and do our bit to protect the environment and people’s health. By saying no to firecrackers, you help reduce air pollution, noise pollution, and waste. While there are green crackers out there, one must understand that they are not entirely green and simply release less harmful gases than regular firecrackers during bursting. Instead, you can go for plantable crackers (beej patakhas) that grow into plants and focus on vibrant festive decorations, including lights, to make your Diwali shine bright without any smoke.
As we get ready to celebrate the ‘Festival of Lights,’ let us think responsibly and opt for environmentally friendly choices. Let it be a celebration of light, love, and togetherness and not of unwanted noise and pollution. Let’s also pledge to spread the word about the importance of celebrating Diwali in an eco-friendly way. We at Orient Electric wish you and your loves ones a joyous Diwali!
FAQs
Q: How do I celebrate a sustainable Diwali?
A: Use reusable LED lights, clay diyas, natural rangoli and flower decorations, and reduce or skip crackers. Store lights carefully so they last for years, and recycle any faulty sets as e-waste.
Q: Are LED lights better than diyas for the environment?
A: Each has a place. LED lights are reusable and use little electricity, so they suit long hours of decoration. Clay diyas suit ritual moments. A mix of reusable diyas for pooja and LED lights for the home is a balanced choice.
Q: How much electricity do Diwali lights use?
A: Use watts × hours ÷ 1,000. A 10W LED string used 5 hours a night for 10 nights uses about 0.5 kWh, compared with about 2 kWh for a 40W bulb string.
Q: How can I make my Diwali lights last longer?
A: Test them before use, remove them gently, coil them loosely around a tube and store them dry. Do not overload a socket. Well-kept LED sets can last several seasons.
Q: How do I dispose of old Diwali lights?
A: Do not put them in household waste. Take them to an authorised e-waste recycler or a retailer take-back scheme.
Q: What are some eco-friendly Diwali decoration ideas?
A: Use flower and rice-flour rangoli, paper lanterns, coconut-shell diyas, flower torans and reused glass jars as tea-light holders. Pair them with reusable LED lights to cut waste.
