Burning papers is something people have done for ages, across many cultures and for many reasons. From ceremonial rituals to disposing of documents, the act of setting paper ablaze can have different meanings depending on where you are and who you ask.
But this practice also raises some serious concerns these days. Things like air pollution, the risk of starting a fire, and potential health problems mean we need to think more carefully about why and how we burn paper.
We’ll take a look at the cultural importance of burning paper (including practices like burning joss paper), the impact it has on the environment and our health, how to burn paper safely, and some ideas for more sustainable alternatives. Understanding these issues is key to making informed decisions about this age-old practice.