They used to be in Thailand, but I think we get them from Japan now.". I'm always digging up old bits of wire fencing in my garden (formerly a field) which must have been there for years, if not decades. When these particles are inhaled, they cause severe respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease and even birth defects in babies. In the UK, 18,000 tons of edible pumpkin are thrown into the garbage every Halloween. When: Saturday, May 25 @ 5:30 PM Water Lantern Festival is filled with fun, happiness, hope, and great memories that you’ll cherish for a lifetime. Three awesome new retailers are coming to Calgary’s University District. Ticket prices also cover the cost of cleaning up all the lanterns and other trash. Address:12044 Beach St., Houston, TX 77044, Why you need to go: On October 19, you can release a self-decorated, lit-up water lantern onto a lake as you attempt to sing "I See The Light. Plastic confetti and glitter never breaks down and can’t be recycled, so it’s terrible for our planet. Water Lantern Festival. The beautiful glowing lanterns will be a totally ‘grammable sight. We're just hoping for snow at all. You can use fake snowflakes or biodegradable rice which both disintegrate when they come into contact with water. leave the area cleaner than we found it. Hey you! Wire lying on the ground for nine months is surely a considerable hazard, depending on where it lands, for farm animals or children. The lanterns also pose a terrible danger to livestock and wildlife. Don't you wonder what's it's like, out there where they glow? This lantern festival brings together individuals from all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life to join in one emotional and memorable night. The researchers found a shocking amount of carcinogens in the smoke emitted from joss sticks including PM2.5, metals, furans, dioxins and hydrocarbons, all of which lead to leukemia, blood, lung and bladder cancers. With an onslaught of trussed up trees popping up in homes and cities all over the world, it’s important to know the environmental impact of this much-loved ritual. It’s gonna be a lit time, literally. On the other hand, real trees absorb harmful greenhouse gases while they’re growing and are 100% biodegradable. But luckily, this fall, we have a chance to a part of one of the most magical events that seems to be straight out of Tangled—the Water Lantern Festival in Houston on October 19. Once they fall back to earth they can maim animals, strangling birds that get entangled in the wires and killing animals that unknowingly ingest the lanterns. If you wish to unsubscribe at any moment, feel free to click the Unsubcribe link included in our emails, Your details will be held by Wayfairer Travel Limited and kept secure at all times in accordance with our Privacy policy, caused PM2.5 levels to reach 883 in Delhi, contact our friendly team of Luxury Travel Specialists. Even if you throw the confetti indoors, you’ll have to sweep it into the garbage which goes on to landfill. They cause air pollution, send chemical residue into our waterways and are a fire hazard. SHARES. Another great option is to buy a seed to grow your own tree. ", Who are the manufacturers? » We clean up additional trash along the water ways to But the wire is only eight inches long and accounts for just 1% of the lantern's mass. We've rounded up eight of the most environmentally destructive festive traditions and the eco-friendly alternatives you can try instead. How did he know this? Wayfairer takes people around the world to many special cultural celebrations. If you’d like to participate in Loy Krathong or the many other festivals that involve releasing floats into the water, ensure your float is environmentally friendly. Water Lantern Festival is an incredible experience where thousands of family, friends, and strangers celebrate life together. There are plenty of green alternatives that look fantastic and are much kinder to the environment. ), a commemorative drawstring bag (because you won't get your lantern back as a souvenir after you release it), and hey, they'll even throw in a marker for you too. I am getting married next year and when going to buy so-called 100% biodegradable "sky lanterns" I have been disgusted to find that they contain metal wires which obviously take years to degrade. We go to great lengths to ensure a cleaner, more beautiful environment. With an increasing number of tourists flocking to the festival to partake in this cultural experience, there’s more need for environmental awareness. We’re listing off the benefits of the Calgary Water Lantern Fest! "I don't know. our specialist team on 0117 313 3300, Please tick this box to receive occasional emails from us about exclusive travel content and new product updates that we believe will be of interest to you. are made from rice paper and wood so they are as eco-friendly as possible. to clean up every lantern. Come and experience the Water Lantern Festival for yourself. As the sun begins to set on the evening sky, join the city in launching lanterns onto the water. What began in third century China as a signal between soldiers, is now a popular festive tradition all over the world. We really do not know where they are going to come down.". Furthermore, artificial trees are often made from petroleum-based plastics, sending harmful toxins into the air during production. As the sun begins to set on the evening sky, join the city in launching lanterns onto the water.