Killing Evil Garbage Throughout This Years Durga Puja Celebrations
Our group collectively decided that we would cut down on our garbage this year. Yogurt containers (Plastic # 5) are not the chosen recyclable plastic in our town (as compared to # 1 and # 2) and hence ended up in the garbage cans. All these items brought our garbage created to 7 gallons. Compare this to last year when we had 52 gallons of garbage. Our 2021 Durga Puja conserved 87% garbage this year.
Our significant waste reduction was with the plastic water bottles. In our preparatory calls, we asked the households to bring their own re-fillable water bottles. If you can, get a filter.
We did not acquire small chips packages this time, so all plastic wrappers were saved. We had fruits for kids rather, so it was also healthier. In case you need to purchase chips or other treats, you could recycle the bags at Target. That adds one journey extra, so its better to prevent it.
Serving trays can be recycled to grow marigolds. Image courtesy of Radhika Iyengar.
Other factors to consider consisted of providing back the cardboard trays to the supplier for re-use, which they gladly took considering that they use them numerous times. This way we could function design best kids and practices find out sustainable practices the useful method. Remember to spilt into several families as these trays require a lot of area. Set aside time for circulation at the end of the event. We recently found out that aluminum trays are not recyclable based on the Recycling Coach app. So as the food was finished, the trays were washed, cleaned and stacked up to return to the vendors. As an even better alternative, we will be using the trays to plant marigold, considering that they were used for the divine being puja. Simply spread out the flowers, as they have the seeds in them, and the next puja you will be prepared with your own flowers.
There was remaining food in the serving trays. In our preparatory calls, we had asked the families to bring their takeaway containers, so all the remaining food was provided back to the households. Its always great to bring additional takeaway containers, just in case you like the mutton curry a lot!
Yogurt containers (Plastic # 5) are not the chosen recyclable plastic in our town (as compared to # 1 and # 2) and thus ended up in the trash cans. Compare this to last year when we had 52 gallons of trash. Our 2021 Durga Puja saved 87% garbage this year.
Image courtesy of Radhika Iyengar.
You could do a trash audit to plan for additional reductions in the following year if you are totally into trash.
Final factors to consider: Java Compost does event-based food scrap collection, too, which we discovered at the very last-minute. If you are planning a party, contact Java Compost ahead of time to take away your food scraps. In that case, label the trash bin “compostable waste” and “going to be scorched.” Some education will be needed to avoid contamination. Home-based composting systems will not work considering that the prepared food will have oils.
Did someone say that washing meals is only for the women? Our party showed it incorrect. Numerous hubbies helped to wash the utensils. They waited patiently to get their turn. It was also heartwarming to see older kids likewise clean their plates, true good example for your younger brother or sisters to follow.
In summary, plan your green program ahead of time. Everybody is environmentally friendly, it just takes one or 2 people to bring it up on the program and prepare the logistics.
Lets make Goddess Durga pleased and save her creation by killing garbage together. Enjoy your festivities!
Radhika Iyengar is an associate research scholar at Columbia Universitys Center for Sustainable Development. Apresh Deva, Kumkum Srivastav and Yogita Ahire are citizens of Millburn, NJ..
This story was initially released here.
Image courtesy of Radhika Iyengar
Lots of Indian families eagerly anticipate October and November. It is a time to celebrate the goddess Durga, who depicts strength and courage to win over evil. This is followed by the Dussehra festival, when we burn the effigies of Ravan. When we clean our houses so that Goddess Lakshmi can visit our homes, Diwali is the Festival of Lights.
This year in Millburn, New Jersey, 40 individuals consisting of kids came together to commemorate Durga Puja. All clad in our gorgeous conventional clothing, we rehearsed our efficiencies and were prepared to display our adequate talents.
Our group collectively chose that we would cut down on our garbage this year. Paper or compostable plates? How do we cut down on food waste, consisting of for 3 complete meals plus snacks?
Tips provided to the organizing committee by the green committee
We didnt utilize paper plates as people would have utilized numerous plates and the waste would have doubled. Paper plates also would not hold our curries and white rice, so this idea was dismissed. Compostable plates were a choice seriously considered.
Bartan Bank pertained to our rescue by providing us meals and utensils.
Luckily, in Millburn, we have the Bartan Bank, which lends out plates, glasses and utensils and is run by Eco Ambassador Ishika Srivastav. We obtained adequate plates, cups and flatware sets to cover us all. Plates had to be cleaned up after every round. Numerous families decided to clean their plates separately. Volunteers likewise took turns cleaning the dishes, and this assisted to disperse the work.
In addition to avoiding waste from single-use items, there was less food waste as compared to utilizing paper plates. Based on Indian custom, food wastage is a rigorous no as we value each grain on our plate. So kids found out how to complete their meals. Small leftovers were completed by their moms and dads and the very same plate was recycled by the parent really happily. To our surprise, for a really nominal contribution of $5 to the Bartan Bank, it relied on be extremely successful experiment for the neighborhood.
Thanks to the Bartan Bank, we had the ability to minimize plastic use and were likewise able to finish a big event on a small budget plan.
Approximate Savings
Plastic plates saved over three meals = 96 = $21.
Plastic cups conserved = 96 = $10.
Plastic cutlery conserved = 96 = $10.
Number of plastic bottles conserved = 32 bottles at $2 per bottle =$ 64.
Overall = $105 conserved.
minus Bartan Bank cost ($ 5).
Overall savings were $100, which completely worked for our spending plan.
Picture courtesy of Radhika Iyengar.
If you plan to use the Bartan Bank:.
Bring extra aprons for your celebration– they will conserve your expensive party clothes.
Bring scrubbers, dish fabrics for cleaning, and meal soap from your home.
You will not be lonesome cleaning utensils; lots of ladies joined and in reality the celebration transferred to the kitchen area while chit chatting.
Utilize an assembly line, with a single person washing the meals, another wiping them, and a third stacking them back on the table.
Dont stress too much if you happen to break a cup. The Bartan Bank is really flexible.
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Radhika Iyengar, Apresh Deva, Kumkum Srivastav and Yogita Ahire|October 20, 2021
