From Tradition to Sustainability in the Mid Autumn Festival: Mindful Mooncake Packaging Choices

The Mid Autumn Festival shines brightest when traditions are honoured with less waste and more care for the planet.

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Every year in Singapore, the Mid Autumn Festival brings an abundance of mooncakes beautifully wrapped in ornate boxes and elaborate layers. These elegant presentations can overshadow the environmental cost. About 40 per cent of mooncake packaging has been deemed unnecessary and wasteful by the Singapore Environment Council.

Major recyclers process nearly five tonnes of mooncake related paper and cardboard waste annually. Paper usage translates to tree loss, as each tonne of paper equals 17 trees. Packaging waste makes up around one third of Singapore’s total household waste, contributing to roughly 600,000 tonnes each year. Yet only about 13 per cent of domestic waste gets recycled.

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This tradition of gifting and sharing mooncakes is deeply cherished. There is no issue celebrating with a treat that is both cultural and communal. The concern lies in how these mooncakes are presented. Layers of glossy coatings, plastic inserts and synthetic liners hinder recycling and quickly become waste destined for incineration or the landfills.

Positive change is already taking shape. Some brands have introduced recyclable and fully reusable mooncake boxes, while others offer creative designs that can be repurposed as food carriers.

However, even with the best recycling systems, the most effective solution is to use less in the first place. Reducing waste from the start is far better than relying on disposal and hoping it can be recycled.

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This Mid Autumn Festival, do your part for sustainability to honour the moon and respect the earth. Choose mooncakes packaged simply or shop without packaging. If decor is desired, request a box only when needed.

Let the mooncake, not the wrapper, be the centrepiece.