Eco-Friendly Onam Decorations: Sustainable Ideas for a Green Festival

This paper, therefore, seeks to reflect on waste management during the time of Onam, which is a time of happiness, culture, and unity. Among the plastic decorations, non-degradable materials are usually employed during traditional festival decorations and are environmentally unsustainable. But one can only wonder what it would be like to have an Onam celebration and yet make it an environment-friendly one.

The use of natural materials during festive seasons reduces the amount of waste that is likely to be produced and also gives the house a natural feel. In the following sections, you will get simple yet classy Onam celebration ideas that use products that are eco-friendly and are also in sync with the Onam spirit.

Why Choose Eco-Friendly Decorations for Onam?

Onam is related to nature, and it symbolizes the time of harvest and abundance – the time of plenty. This is traditional, and more importantly, flowers, banana leaves, and clay lamps are eco-friendly since Onam is an eco-friendly event.

Unfortunately, today's decorations include plastic garlands, rangolis made of thermocouples, and artificial lights, which are all pollutants of the environment. Thus, using safe products is a way of preserving both traditions and the environment.

Sustainable Ideas for an eco-friendly Onam celebration

It is, therefore, important to make a few changes that would assist in reducing the amount of waste during the Onam celebration. Below are some ideas that can be useful in creating eco-friendly festive decor:

• Opt for biodegradable décor

• Recycle the materials used for decorations

• Use reusable items for festivals

It is for the following reasons that natural and reusable flower decorations should be used in any event.

It would be impossible to imagine an Onam celebration without Pookalam, or floral decoration, in front of the houses. It is not advisable to use artificial flowers, but it is preferable to use local flowers, easily available in the market, such as Marigold, Jasmine, and Chrysanthemum. 

These not only give a natural fragrance to the house but are also biodegradable and do not create any mess. To make flower garlands for the festival more sustainable, one should dry the petals and leaves for reuse.

Instead of LED lights, use Terracotta Diyas for lighting

Lighting is an important part of Onam as it brings light to the surroundings and creates a festive atmosphere. Replace electric bulbs or plastic candle holders with terracotta diyas. Handmade clay lamps also have the advantage of giving the house a traditional look while being economical, as they do not consume electricity.

However, if you are looking for a different and eco-friendly product, then the Terracotta Cup Candles (Set of 12) can be useful. These natural clay candles are made from sustainable materials, and instead of using plastic tea lights, they provide a warm flickering light. After use, they can be repurposed as planters or holders, similar to small decorative vases.

Use Biodegradable and Wooden Tableware

Onam Sadya, a vegetarian meal, is traditionally served on banana leaves. If one wants to avoid disposable plastic or melamine tableware, then wooden trays and wooden bowls are more suitable.

One of the best examples of such a product is the Tribal Wooden Serving Tray in Walnut, which would serve all these functions while enhancing the appearance of your kitchen. Not only does it give a richer look to the Onam table setting, but it is also a better alternative to synthetic trays. The body of this tray is made from a wooden frame that is beautifully crafted and can be used to hold snacks, sweets, and Onam special dishes, complementing the Onam arrangements.

Sustainable and Artistic Drinkware

During Onam, the host serves herbal drinks or tea to all the guests present in the home. For cups or tumblers, it is preferable to use handcrafted glasses to enhance the festivity.

The Gaiwan – The Brewing Cup with Saucer (Transparent) is not only an attractive option, but it is also an eco-friendly way of serving tea during the Onam event. This brewing cup is ideal for making and serving traditional Kerala herbal teas or spiced teas and is both ornamental and environmentally friendly for the festive season.

Upcycled and reusable elements that can be used for decoration 

It is advisable to repurpose existing materials instead of purchasing artificial decorations from stores. Fabric scraps can be used for bunting, glass jars can be used as candle holders, and jute or bamboo items can serve as decorative pieces.

Additionally, small accessories and ornaments can be made from coconut shells and palm leaves, which align perfectly with Kerala’s traditional aesthetics. These materials are easily available and decompose naturally, making them environmentally friendly.

Final Thoughts: Celebrate Onam the Sustainable Way

Onam is a festival that symbolizes thanksgiving, prosperity, and the joy of the earth. This means that one can have a beautiful Onam while being mindful of the products used to avoid harming the environment.

Are you looking for high-quality, durable, and eco-friendly products? Brown Living offers a variety of sustainable products that can make your holiday season brighter and greener. From decorations to lifestyle goods, small sustainable choices can reshape how traditions are celebrated.

This Onam, consider using environment-friendly items for your decorations. Kindly share your thoughts—every small effort towards making the Onam celebration an eco-friendly occasion contributes to preserving the festival and the planet.