Sustainable Carnaval

It feels like ten years ago. Getting drunk in the city center with your friends. Forgetting about all your duties. Just living in the moment. For a long time, this has been put on a hold due to corona. But now, the corona restrictions are as good as gone. And coincidentally, it is also carnaval. In other words: time to get fucked.

What is Carnaval?

Carnaval is originally a catholic holiday. Carnaval is the holiday before the 40-day fast of the Catholics, ending with Easter. It’s an opportunity to go wild before a period of fasting. Nowadays, however, most people enjoy the going wild part without ever doing the fasting. 

This year, Carnaval originally takes place from Sunday 27 February until Tuesday 1 March, but people will probably go out from Thursday 24 February, until Tuesday 1 march or longer. People dress up in crazy costumes, and sometimes in the “Carnaval color” of their city. Normally we also have a parade with Carnaval, but this year that is canceled because of corona. We are lucky enough that most restrictions are gone with Carnaval, so we could really have some fun!

Now knowing how fun this can be, let’s look at the downside…

It is Friday night, 2 am. You find yourself in the city center with a little too much alcohol in your blood. You look around. You see plastic cups on the street. Pieces of clothes are everywhere. “What the hell”, you think, “why would people do this?” Only to realize that you are doing the same thing. Those plastic cups are also yours. You think, “Am I really an Environmentalist?”

Reducing your impact

A way to reduce your environmental impact and waste with Carnaval could be to lend a costume so you don’t have to buy one or at least buy a second-hand costume. When you lend a costume, you’re more likely to give it back to the owner you got it from. When you buy a second-hand costume, no new products must be made to wear them so it’s better for the environment. 

When you are throwing a pre-party, try not to use plastic cups but drink from glasses and recycle them. For decorations on the walls, you can use old materials like old pieces of clothes or paper. 

In conclusion, I hope you can have a fun and environmentally friendly Carnaval, sharing great experiences with your loved ones. And always remember: One beer, is no beer. Cheers!