Eid is a time of great celebration, we meet with family and friends, get dressed up and eat to our heart’s content. A lot of people plan what they’ll wear for Eid weeks in advance, we start to organise what gifts we might give people and the ultra organised figure out their menus for the Eid feast. Let’s try and make this Eid and the ones after greener in our own ways to help the Earth and really show our gratitude to Allah.

Eid celebrations can be extravagant which contributes to pollution from litter and plastic wrappers to excess clothing and wasted food. Eid celebrations are almost consumerist at this point, especially when we gather in parks and cities to celebrate with fireworks and street parties. It all adds up to a not-so-ethical Eid, especially since a lot of the waste and environmental damage can be avoided.

It’s time to take action and promise yourself and your family that you’ll celebrate Eid in a more sustainable way. So how can Ramadan and Eid be made more eco-friendly, sustainable and thoughtful? There are basics like remembering to recycle and thinking twice before a purchase, and Islam and sustainability go hand in hand – it shouldn’t be difficult for us to figure out when something is excessive. A lot of the time, we forget about how much we waste because we don’t really keep it at the top of our mind, so let’s make that change starting today.

Here are some great ways you can have a more ethical and thoughtful Eid:

1. Skip buying new decorations. Reuse some of the things you already have in your house, thrift some from a charity shop or Facebook marketplace, or just make some. Paperchains and lanterns are easy to make, fairy lights in mason jars always look cute and candles can be the perfect decor for any room. If you really do want new ones, make sure they’re not dated or personalised so they can be reused or sold later on.

2. Prepare less food. Reduce the amount of food that is prepared, it’ll save your expenses, time and waste. There’s really no need to make four different meat dishes, two rice varieties, toast 36 naans and produce eight desserts. Count how many people you’ll be feeding and make appropriately. Unless there is a food shelter or ample fridge space for leftovers, it’s a waste to make substantially more than is needed. And you also don’t have to stuff yourself full of food; take it slow and steady. You can also try to shop locally and organically – find out if there are any farms nearby you can visit.

3. Rethink gifts. Eid money is a great gift, better than plastic toys or new clothes that usually end up in a landfill. Charity is also a large part of Islam and Ramadan, so why not make a donation and plant a tree in someone’s name? Maybe opt for some vouchers or coupons to a great ethical store. You can also handcraft your own Eid cards, paint something, make a fruit basket, bake some cookies and make someone’s day with something from the heart. The more we practice ethical gift giving, the more normal it will become.

4. Avoid buying lots of new clothes. There’s no obligation to buy and wear brand new clothes for Eid. If you really are keen on something new, then how about doing an Eid-swap with cousins or friends? We don’t have to buy new clothes for Eid every year. You could also make your own clothes using older ones, or restyle something into a new outfit, like an old sari into a lehenga and shirt. Who says new has to be store bought? In fact, our Prophet (SAW) wore his best clothes, not specifically new ones for Eid according to various narrations. For the past few years I’ve not bought any new clothes for myself, this year, I’m wearing a gift someone got me.

5. Stay away from plastic. I know, the thought of washing up probably has you shaking your head, but hear me out. There are lots of options for biodegradable plates and cutlery if you don’t want to be stuck with lots of dishes. Avoid plastic wrappers and polythene where you can – they are not effectively recycled and our world is already suffering because of them.

6. Use more public transport. Now this might be a bit more difficult depending where you live and your proximity to family or the mosque. However, it is possible to cycle, walk, train and bus to various places for Eid, tarawih prayers or iftaar. Try to set an example by opting for eco-friendly transport some, if not all, of the time. Or carpool with neighbours and family members to reduce the number of cars and emissions. Find out from the mosque whether a community carpool can be organised.

7. Find out if your meat is halal. This is a very important thing we as Muslims, should be doing. Try to go to a butcher rather than a plastic wrapped meat section at the local shop. It’s much easier to get halal meat that’s readily cut and even seasoned in trays now, but is it really halal or just zabiha? Ask your butcher where the meat comes from and whether animals are treated well before slaughter. Ask questions about where the farms are and if the animals are living in open conditions or pens.*

Of course we must celebrate Eid, but we should try to do it in a more thoughtful way. It won’t change any of the celebrations, but it will impact our environmental footprint in a positive way. What are some ways you celebrate Eid and Ramadan that you could change?

*Note…I’m not going to start a thought piece on morality of animal sacrifice in this article. We’re sharing some ways we can have a more sustainable Ramadan and Eid. As a Muslim I believe animals who provide meat are meant to be nurtured, nourished and loved, blessed by Allah and slaughtered zabiha, thus halal, to provide sustenance for those that eat them. Despite this, meat is not a large part of my diet, I find it difficult to believe halal meat is halal unless I can witness it with my own eyes.

Say hi to Annie on Instagram