Are your green firecrackers really ‘green? Here’s all you need to know before doing your Diwali shopping

This Diwali, millions of Indians will light up the sky in celebration. But as much as we love the sparkle, sound, and excitement, we’re all too familiar with the thick layer of smog that lingers afterward, especially in urban hotspots like Delhi and Mumbai.

Each year, Diwali festivities trigger a spike in air pollution, with fireworks releasing fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), harmful metals, and toxic gasses like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the air. That’s where “green” firecrackers come in.

What makes a firecracker “green”?

Initially developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), green firecrackers are designed to reduce the pollution traditionally associated with fireworks. Using a new formulation, green firecrackers limit harmful emissions, replacing the most toxic chemicals with safer alternatives. By some estimates, this innovation cuts particulate emissions by about a third, significantly reducing the amount of dangerous smoke and fine dust particles released into the atmosphere.
What’s more, some green firecrackers are created to release water vapour, which helps settle dust and further mitigates air pollution. The sound levels are also capped, generally limited to a maximum of 125 decibels, which means less noise pollution in densely populated areas.

While green firecrackers are generally more expensive than traditional crackers, CSIR-NEERI have developed some green crackers that they claim are 15-20% cheaper than traditional crackers.

Do green firecrackers really make a difference?

Compared to traditional firecrackers, green ones do reduce pollutants, but let’s be clear: they’re not completely emission-free. Here’s a quick snapshot of the improvements:

• Particulate Matter: A major contributor to smog, particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) from traditional fireworks can linger in the air, affecting visibility and health. Green firecrackers can reportedly reduce particulate emissions by 25-35%.
  
• Sulfur Dioxide and Nitrogen Oxides: Conventional firecrackers produce high levels of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), gases that can trigger respiratory issues. By modifying the chemical components, green firecrackers release far less of these gases.
  
• Heavy Metals: Traditional firecrackers often contain barium, copper, and aluminum for color, which release toxic residues. Green versions largely substitute or reduce these metals, minimising long-term environmental harm.
  

Green crackers are an improvement, but their impact depends on widespread adoption and strict adherence to quality standards. For instance, their benefits could be negated if traditional crackers remain in widespread use or if counterfeit green crackers make it to the market, as has sometimes been the case during festivals.

How can you know you’re buying green crackers?

Green firecrackers carry the unique QR code and logo introduced by NEERI. If you’re shopping for fireworks, look for the CSIR and NEERI labels and a QR code that verifies the product’s authenticity and eco-friendliness. This traceability ensures that you’re getting the real thing, not just a product labeled as “green” without meeting the actual standards.
While green firecrackers represent a meaningful step forward, they aren’t a complete solution to festival pollution. To make a real impact, cities like Delhi, which has struggled with severe post-Diwali air quality, would benefit from more widespread alternatives like community light displays, laser shows, or digital fireworks that bring all the excitement with none of the pollution.

This Diwali, when you light up a green firecracker, know that you’re contributing to a celebration that’s easier on the lungs and healthier for our skies. So, why not go green and enjoy the sparkle without the smog?