Every year after Mardi Gras, Italian streets are transformed into multicolored expanses. Millions of confetti slip between the sampietrini, slide down manholes, and travel in the rain to the rivers and then to the sea. Most of these colored discs contain plastics that make the colors brighter and more durable, turning a playful gesture into a small environmental disaster multiplied by thousands of squares.
Tons of waste is produced during Carnival that cannot be recycled or is disposed of improperly. The plastic in commercial costumes, almost always composed of 100 percent polyester, releases microfibers with every wash, contributing to water pollution. Traditional makeup, loaded with chemicals, silicones and petrolatum, also ends up in rivers after we remove our makeup.
Yet there is a different way to celebrate, one that requires no sacrifices but only a little extra creativity.
Confetti that is reborn
Some biodegradable confetti contains native flower seeds: after the party, simply cover them with a little soil and water them to watch them turn into plants that will attract bees and other pollinators. Or you can use dried flower petals, stored throughout the year or specially purchased: completely natural, they give a special scenic effect and decompose without leaving a trace.
Another option comes from leaf-piercing cutters: they turn plant material into stars, combining playfulness with respect for nature. If the blades lose effectiveness, simply punch through aluminum foil several times to sharpen them.
Disguises without polyester
After all, Harlequin’s mask was born from a story of reuse: the character’s mother, too poor to buy new fabric, sewed her son’s costume with leftovers given by other mothers. The result was so original that Harlequin won the costume contest. That same logic still works today. Sewing a costume using cotton fabric scraps avoids buying synthetic clothes destined to be abandoned in the closet after only one use. Those without time or skill can trade costumes with friends and relatives, or rent them.
The important thing to remember is that when these garments are no longer needed, they should be disposed of properly: fabric in the appropriate bins, plastic or cardboard accessories in the recycling collection.
Skin-friendly makeup
What we smear on the face is absorbed by the skin and, when washed off, ends up in the waters. Better to choose products that are free of harsh chemicals. Biodegradable glitter made from plant cellulose offers the same shine as traditional glitter, decomposing naturally. Makeup crayons made with food-grade pigments are gentle even on children’s skin and do not cause irritation. For those who prefer to make their own cosmetics, simply mix natural powdered pigments with an organic neutral cream.
Mindful desserts and tableware
If the party involves pancakes and chatter, it is worth choosing ethical, zero-mile ingredients. Eggs from certified organic farmed hens ensure more decent living conditions for the animals. As for plates and glasses, reusable tableware always remains the best choice. When it is just not possible to avoid disposable, there are plates made from palm leaves, which are biodegradable and compostable and can withstand temperatures between ten degrees below zero and a hundred above, perfect even for hot food.
Teaching children to pick up what is left over from the party and to leave the places they use clean are small but valuable attentions. Turning Carnival preparation into a virtuous game by spending a few hours together creating eco-friendly confetti, tricks and costumes teaches, better than a thousand words, that care for the environment can coexist with fun. In fact, it often makes it more authentic.
