Wreaths for a good cause
Wreaths for a good cause
To prevent pollution caused by funeral bouquets, one company is adopting a new practice of sending recycled paper garlands and donating books
published : 1 Mar 2021 at 04:30
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From left to right, Kaimuk Pantaeng, Chuenkamon Sreesompoch and Tachnondh Jarupatchanee, founders of the wreath company, Pun Kan Di. Photos: Somchai Poomlard
Funeral wreaths are a common way to pay our final respect to the deceased. However, at the end of the funeral, wreaths turn into a large pile of garbage which is harmful to the environment as they are made up of foam and plastic. Each year, according to the Department of Environmental Quality Promotion (DEQP), more than 128,000 wreaths are left at 456 temples across Bangkok. The DEQP pointed out that trash piles from wreaths cause odour pollution and when burned cause air pollution. Therefore, the DEQP encourages people to offer other items such as trees, fans, blankets and kitchen utensils to the dead instead of flower wreaths.