February 10th is the first day of the official Lunar New Year. We join Asian communities here in LA and around the globe in wishing everyone good luck in the year to come. Lunar New Year, widely celebrated across East Asia and among global communities, marks the beginning of the lunar calendar. This festive occasion holds profound cultural significance, symbolizing renewal, family reunion, and the ushering in of good fortune for the upcoming year. 

The Year of the Rabbit is coming to an end as we move to the next animal in the zodiac – the Year of the Dragon. Fittingly for our purposes, this year will also be aligned with the element of wood. In the spirit of preserving life around us, we’ve provided some tips for keeping Lunar New Year festivities sustainable for those who celebrate…As well as giving a little explanation of some classic Lunar New Year traditions for those who don’t.  

Reuse Red Envelopes

Known as lei see in southern dialects, red envelopes are traditionally gifted from elders to younger family members without spouses.These vibrant envelopes contain small gifts of money, symbolizing blessings, good fortune, and prosperity for the coming year. An eco-conscious tip to keep in mind during the festivities: when you or the younger members of your household open these envelopes after the festivities are over, we encourage avoiding hastily ripping them open. By treating these often beautifully decorated envelopes with care, they can be stored and reused next year.

Save Your Supper

As is to be expected, large dinners and family celebrations are commonplace during the Lunar New Year. If you’ve ever been to a Lunar New Year dinner, you probably understand what we mean when we say that the quantities of delicious food present are near excessive. After you partake in the abundance of celebratory feasting, make sure to take some time to apportion the inevitable leftovers to the family members who need them most – your overworked college-age cousins, nieces, or nephews will likely appreciate the gesture. If you are eating at home rather than in a restaurant where plenty of to-go containers are available, encourage attendees to bring their own containers in advance to help polish those plates off. No sense in wasting perfectly good food! 
 

Forget Fireworks, Pay Mind to Poppers

Okay , so we hate to be a stick in the mud – we know that setting off fireworks and firecrackers is a classic tradition of the Lunar New Year that’s meant to scare away evil spirits and bad fortune. However, it’s important to keep in mind that California is highly prone to wildfires – even in the midst of our wettest season. It’s FAR better to be safe than sorry. Please – under no circumstances – set off fireworks illegally. To stay in the holiday spirit – and scare away the bad spirits – we instead recommend safe and legal noise-making options. Party poppers or “pop-snapper” style noisemakers that produce a harmless firework-esque snapping sound when hurled at solid pavement are both safe alternatives that are fun for all ages. Just make sure you pick up and recycle the resulting confetti and popper shells after you’re done.  

As we step into the Year of the Dragon, let’s weave sustainability into the fabric of our Lunar New Year celebrations. By repurposing red envelopes, reducing food waste, and being mindful of the environmental impact of traditional festivities, we help protect our planet so that generations to come can continue to participate in wonderful holidays like this one. Our commitment to a sustainable Lunar New Year not only honors the traditions of the past but also paves the way for a brighter and greener future. Happy Year of the Dragon!

PS. And to any dragons out there (born 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, or 1952), the year of your zodiac is actually supposed to be an especially unlucky year – make sure to keep your wits about you!   

Got stories of an unforgettable Lunar New Years experience or a favorite tradition that we didn’t mention? Share your thoughts and experiences with us at lastormwater@lacity.org.