How Indians Handle Millions Of Tons Of Temple Offerings | World Wide Waste

Worshippers in India buy thousands of tons of flowers every day to give as offerings in temples. The rituals leave behind mountains of flower waste that often end up contaminating already troubled rivers with pesticides and harmful chemicals. One business is taking that waste and turning it into products like natural dyes used in garments that have been sold by Anthropologie; others are making fragrances and incense sticks.

00:00 - Introduction
00:57 - How Sacred Offerings Can Harm The Environment
02:27 - Collecting Flowers From Temples
04:09 - The Meanings Behind Sacred Flowers
04:23 - Dying Fabrics With Flower Waste
07:21 - Making The Clothing
08:29 - Turning Flowers Into Incense
10:43 - The Impact Of Flowers
11:11 - Other Religious Offering Waste
11:47 - Changing Ancient Habits
12:35 - Bigger Sources of Indian Water Pollution
12:56 - Artistry Thriving In A Polluted City
14:00 - A Bigger Challenge For Rupa
15:05 - Credits
------------------------------------------------------

Business Insider tells you all you need to know about business, finance, tech, retail, and more.

How Turning Flower Waste Into Natural Dyes Can Reduce Pollution | World Wide Waste

[Xeonerable]

It's crazy how important water is to all life on Earth but humans just dump their trash into it so carelessly.

[raycenteno]

The incense and clothing company looks really cool. Liked how both companies thought outside the box to recycle the flowers. Would definitely like to buy the products in the future.

[paigehart]

"Locals find it disrespectful to throw away the flowers."

*Dumps entire holy statue into the river*

[Furanku]

"Oh holy water, you are god, you are life, you are divine"
"proceeds to shit and throw trash in said holy water"

[BethanyHarbaugh]

Coming from a perspective from growing up in religion, reusing and recycling these offerings seems more respectful to the planet that the gods watch over. Why pollute the nature that the gods carefully created? These people are caring about nature and, in the process, are respecting the gifts given to them by the gods. And the way they're reusing the flowers and everything really feels so much better from a god's point of view than just throwing it in the river. I mean, the flowers into incense? That's perfect and still goes to the gods. I love it.

[FloodExterminator]

And yet, many Indians I speak with claim India has the cleanest rivers... Sure...

[AndyRiot]

Rupa is such a beautiful woman - I wish her all the best: success, love, and health. I am so sorry to hear of her struggles. Bless her!

[kuebby]

The incense production is really beautiful. I think that's the most pure version of returning the flowers to the gods. You're gifting them the flowers and then you burn those flowers as part of an offering. It's a full cycle at that point. If temple owners are just throwing them away, this is an objective improvement in every way.

[bzmc]

The fact they can throw away their idols in the river once the festival is over blows my mind completely

[abundantharmony]

Waste management in India is to dump it ALL into the "holy river" and call it a ritual. Smh. India doesn't have to be this disappointing, but it is. It's so sad.

[asankajayaweera]

Hats off to these wonderful environmental heroes. They have initiated a great business path and also their approach will educate other people more attentive and sensitive on environmental issues.

[TrevorBruce-fl]

Took me 10 seconds into this video to determine that temple offerings are pointless.

Just pray and leave the river alone..

[iamnotmydepression]

Those fabrics are beautiful, what a fantastic way of preserving the temple offerings.

[a.l.a.]

So much respect for Mrs. Rupa for creating such a caring and wonderful business and the other entrepreneurs working to create abundance from the stream of "waste" from the temples. 🙌

[folliesofmen]

Wish Rupa and Adiv all the best! The brand deserves more appreciation and suppport.

[QuinZcoco]

Hindu's: I worship this idols
* throws it in water*
Hindu's: our cow's are sacred
* leave them to become roadkill*
Hindu's: our river is holy
* pollute the river by bathing in it*

[robertsas]

All the best for the lady! Good to see people making little changes for the benefit of 🌍

[moncang]

That thumbnail looks like a cover of a sick indian music MV

[maryjanefry]

Who else wants to see the place that grows all of these flowers?

[LateDude]

Polluting the environment. What an awesome way to worship the gods!