New Year’s Eve is just around the corner, and for many people, fireworks are just part of celebrating the new year. However, it’s no secret that setting off these colorful delights isn’t exactly sustainable. And those looking for greener alternatives have surely come across eco-fireworks. But can fireworks really be sustainable? IMAGE: ©karelian | Stock.Adobe.com

Can fireworks be sustainable?

To say it straight out: Unfortunately, the answer is no. Manufacturers are starting in the right places, but we are still a long way from true sustainability. To explain, let’s take a quick look at what makes fireworks harmful to the environment in the first place.

Pollution:

Fireworks release particulate matter when they explode. According to the  German Federal Environment Agency, 2,050 tons are produced in Germany every year, most of them on New Year’s Eve. With negative effects on human and animal health. Although these emissions can be reduced by eco-fireworks, they can never be avoided completely. It should also be noted that there is evidence that particulate matter in any concentration can be harmful to health.

Noise:

Noise is also a major concern for the sustainability of fireworks. We all know the pictures of dogs hiding in fear on New Year’s Eve. But wildlife also gets disturbed and startled by the explosions. This can have a negative impact on the breeding and migratory behavior of birds, for example. But the noise is not good for us humans either. According to the German Federal Environmental Agency, around 8,000 people suffer inner ear damage every year during the New Year’s Eve period.

Although the manufacturers of ecological fireworks are addressing this issue, there is currently a lack of data to prove whether the noise reduction makes a significant difference.

Waste:

Finally, waste pollution also plays an important role. The remains of fireworks – plastics, heavy metals, casings, etc. – often just end up somewhere and, in the worst case, are eaten by animals. As this study suggests, the waste could also release microplastic particles into the environment. And I don’t have to tell anyone what our streets look like after New Year’s Eve and how many tons of waste are usually produced. On top of that, fireworks are a very short-lived pleasure; you can’t recycle, upcycle or reuse them.

This is where eco-fireworks from some manufacturers shine, as they are made from a high percentage of recycled paper and use no plastic at all. In theory, they are even biodegradable. Unfortunately, however, contaminants cannot be completely ruled out, as the Tagesschau reports.

Green alternatives

For the reasons mentioned above, we cannot (yet?) recommend eco-fireworks. But it doesn’t always have to be fireworks – you can ring in the New Year in a different and sustainable way. Here are three eco-friendly alternatives:

1. Fire bowls and fire baskets: Flames are not only fascinating (at least for me :D) and add a certain flair to every evening. A fire can also be the start of a new New Year’s Eve tradition – the letting go fire basket. We got the idea from the Green Pearls © partner hotel SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA. It’s very simple: negative thoughts are written on a piece of paper and then symbolically burned. The idea is to let them go and not carry them into the new year.
2. Confetti Cannons: Another way to ring in the New Year with a bang are confetti cannons. You can either make them yourself or buy sustainable versions online.
3. Crackers: You can make your own crackers at home. Not only can you fill them with confetti, but you can also fill them with small gifts or candy to make your loved ones happy.

Do you have your own New Year’s Eve tradition? Feel free to share it in the comments!