This article was originally published in BDO Spotlight - January 2025
Chinese New Year is a special time to gather with loved ones, share delicious meals, and celebrate meaningful traditions. It’s a festival that brings us together in joy, culture, and renewal. But as we immerse ourselves in the excitement of the holiday, it’s also a moment to reflect on how our celebrations can be kinder to the planet. From the fireworks that light up the sky to the abundance of food we prepare, many of our beloved traditions can leave a significant environmental footprint. The good news is that with a little thought and care, we can still embrace the spirit of the season while making it more sustainable. Here are some simple ways to celebrate the new year with both joy and a conscious heart, without losing any of the warmth or tradition:
1. Sustainable Fashion for Chinese New Year
Instead of buying new clothes every year, consider re-wearing or updating pieces you already own. You can mix and match outfits or add small touches, like a new scarf or accessories, to give them a fresh feel for the occasion. If you decide to buy something new, choose clothing made from sustainable materials such as organic cotton, hemp, or recycled fabrics, which are more environmentally friendly than conventional fabrics like polyester. Opt for timeless pieces that can be worn on multiple occasions rather than trendy, one-time-use pieces. This way, you'll get more wear out of your clothes and reduce the need to purchase new items year after year.
2. Festive Yet Eco-Friendly Decorations
No Chinese New Year celebration feels complete without decorations: red lanterns and paper cuttings that symbolise good fortune and happiness. However, after the festivities, these items often end up as waste. Instead of buying single-use decorations, why not make your own? Fabric lanterns can be reused year after year, and bamboo ornaments add a natural touch to your home. You can also upcycle materials like old newspapers or fabric scraps to craft unique decorations. Get creative with red packets (红包), turning them into reusable decorations, or host a DIY session with family and friends. It’s a fun way to honour tradition and create lasting memories.3. Feast Without the Waste
Food is a big part of Chinese New Year, with special dishes symbolising good fortune and happiness. However, with so much food, it’s easy to waste more than necessary. How can we enjoy the feast without creating excess waste? Start by planning meals carefully and watching portion sizes. Choose dishes that make great leftovers, like dumplings, noodles, or stir-fries, which can be enjoyed for days after the celebrations. Consider trying plant-based versions of your favourite dishes — dumplings and stir-fries are just as delicious without meat, and it’s a great way to reduce your environmental impact. Another easy way to make a difference is by buying ingredients locally. Fresh, local produce not only tastes better but also helps reduce the environmental cost of transporting food. When the celebrations are over, compost food scraps or repurpose leftovers into new meals to avoid wasting anything.
4. Gifting with Thoughtfulness
Gifting is a meaningful part of Chinese New Year, especially with the tradition of giving red packets filled with money. While they symbolise good wishes, the plastic and non-recyclable paper often used can harm the environment. This year, why not try something different and more sustainable? Consider sending red packets digitally via apps or online platforms — it's convenient and reduces paper waste. If you prefer the tradition of giving physical red packets, choose ones made from fabric or recycled paper — materials that can be reused year after year. Another eco-friendly option is to choose slot-in red packets instead of glue-sealed ones, allowing the recipients to reuse them and reducing overall paper production for red packets! When it comes to gifts, think beyond material items. Consider giving experiences, such as cooking together, tickets to a concert, or a donation to a meaningful cause. These thoughtful alternatives can create lasting memories with a more positive impact than material possessions.
5. Travelling Green for the Holidays
Chinese New Year is a time for family reunions, and many of us travel long distances to be with loved ones. But all that travel can have a big impact on the environment. While we can’t avoid travel entirely, there are ways to make our journeys more eco-friendly. Opting for public transportation, like trains, buses, or subways, is a great alternative to driving and helps reduce carbon emissions. If you’re flying, consider offsetting your carbon footprint through carbon credits or by supporting environmental projects. A simple way to get around quickly is by carpooling. Instead of booking separate taxis, consider getting a Maxicab to accommodate everyone. It’s a cost-effective way to reduce your carbon footprint and save money on booking fees. Also, instead of traveling to each other’s homes for visits during Chinese New Year, why not gather in one central place? This can help reduce the impact of travel and make the celebration easier for everyone. It also creates a more relaxed atmosphere, where everyone can enjoy the day together without the stress of moving around.
6. The Power of Conscious Consumption
As we prepare for the celebrations, it’s easy to get caught up in buying things. But Chinese New Year is about more than just gifts and material things — it’s a time to cherish family, life, and a hopeful new year. By reducing plastic use, avoiding excessive packaging, and being mindful of what we buy, we can make the holiday more sustainable. Try using reusable or compostable cups, plates, and utensils made from bamboo or stainless steel to cut down on waste. For decorations, choose fabric, wood, or biodegradable materials that can be reused or composted. Even small changes, like buying in bulk instead of individually packaged items, can really help reduce waste while keeping the festive spirit alive.
A Meaningful and Eco-Conscious Celebration
Sustainability and tradition don’t have to be mutually exclusive. By making thoughtful choices about how we celebrate, we can honour the true spirit of Chinese New Year — prosperity, family, and good fortune — while caring for our planet. From reimagining the way we decorate our homes to planning sustainable meals and embracing eco-friendly gifts, there are many options to incorporate sustainability into our Chinese New Year celebrations. And when the festivities are over, we can take pride in knowing we’ve celebrated not only with joy but also made a positive impact for future generations. Here's to a greener, brighter, and more sustainable Chinese New Year!
About the author
Philip Aw is passionate about driving sustainable practices and fostering a culture of environmental responsibility within BDO. He also leads the BDO Sustainability Committee.