Ganesh Chaturthi – it is festive, colourful and loud. But it also generates a lot of waste. In fact, Mumbai city generated a whopping 1,083 tonnes of waste around various immersion spots across the city, during the festival. Not a great way for the Elephant god to end his birthday celebrations.

Puja waste litters the beach after Ganesh Chaturthi

Over 1,000 tonnes of waste are generated around immersion spots in Mumbai

Many groups of Mumbaikars feel the same, with many of them volunteering to clean up after Ganesha. Every day, hundreds of people comb the beaches after the idols have been immersed, collecting puja waste like, used flowers, plastic bags, and idols that have been washed ashore.

Hundreds of Mumbaikars are volunteering to clean up Mumbai’s beaches after Ganesh Chaturthi

Volunteers collecting puja waste from Mumbai’s beaches

Local authorities have been on an over drive, trying to promote an eco-friendly Ganesh Chaturthi through the use of eco-friendly idols and materials. And it seems to be having an effect. These volunteers claim that the amount of waste lying around is less than the previous year.

Local authorities have launched drives to educate people about using eco-friendly products during Ganesh Chaturthi

Puja waste consists of flowers, offerings, plastic and other decorative items immersed with the Ganesha idols.

One can only hope that the example set by these people catches on. Ganesh Chaturthi is a time of devotion, but we must also ensure that in the process, nature is not harmed