6 Green Ideas for Lunar New Year
Chinese or Lunar New Year gets bigger in New Zealand each year. It’s a wonderful, colourful celebration of culture and renewal. But, like any big celebration, it has an environmental impact. Sustainable practices are deeply valued in Chinese culture, so here are a few ideas to help you enjoy all the bright lantern lights while celebrating an eco-friendlier Lunar New Year:
- Wù jìn qí yòng translates roughly to “waste not, want not”. Think about how you can donate or upcycle any leftover food, decorations or gifts.
- In China millions of factory workers have commuted back to their hometowns to celebrate with their familes. Chūnyun, means “spring migration” and describes this mass exodus from the industrial cities and back again. It’s a time of travel and heavy demand on transportation services. We too can consider the impact of our travel arrangements over this time. The weather is fine here so walking or biking may be an option if you’re not going far. Or try public transport or carpool.
- Wherever possible choose reusable decorations - this might mean grabbing a plain red lantern rather than one with a dragon on it so that it can be used again next year. Hand paint zodiac symbols so that your main decorations are not just a one-time thing.
- Choose energy efficient lighting. The lantern festival is the highlight of Lunar New Year celebrations. Use LED bulbs.
- DIY decorations from easily renewable bamboo or rice paper or upcycled cloth.
- Seafood is a popular fare Chinese NY. Ensure your Yú (fish) is sustainably caught from a local fishmonger.