One of the most awaited popular festivals in Brazil, Carnival is a moment of joy and reunion of thousands of people across the country. But often, the celebration does not take into account aspects of sustainability, such as waste care, conscious consumption, and respect for people.

That's why it's worth rethinking some attitudes to enjoy the party more responsibly and have a sustainable carnival - without leaving joy and fun aside.

When will Carnival be in 2026?

In 2026, the carnival will take place between February 16 and 18. None of these dates are considered by Brazilian law to be National holiday, but rather as an optional point, which allows people to enjoy the party.

What is sustainable carnival?

Sustainable carnival means taking advantage of the celebration without neglecting two of the pillars of sustainability: environmental And the social.

The environmental pillar includes all issues related to caring for the environment, such as: reducing waste generation and discarding garbage correctly; seeking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by choosing a cleaner means of transportation for traveling during the holiday; and respecting biodiversity when spending the party in natural destinations.

In the social pillar, on the other hand, it is necessary to consider aspects related to social development, local culture, traditional communities in each region, and human rights. Participating in activities that celebrate regional culture, consuming small local producers, and respecting the individual rights of the people who are celebrating are some examples of social sustainability related to carnival.

8 tips for a sustainable carnival

If you want to enjoy Carnival more mindfully, check out our tips below.

1. Make a more sustainable costume

You don't have to buy costumes every year. You can reuse materials from previous carnivals and transform them into new props - that ballerina skirt can be tied with ribbon bows and transformed into a princess skirt, for example. Another tip is to look for costumes at thrift stores or exchange costumes with friends. In this way, clothes gain new uses and are not restricted to just a carnival.

2. Carnival costume ideas with recyclable material

One of the easiest ways to create recyclable costumes is to reuse clothes you already have and use them as a base to create props or costumes. Check out some ideas below.

Minnie Mouse

An antique polka dot dress can turn into a Minnie Mouse costume. For the ears, just cut out half circles - which can come from a cardboard box - and stick them on a tiara.

Butterfly

Paper bags or cardboard boxes can be cut out and painted to transform into butterfly wings that are then glued to an old dress or t-shirt.

vampire

A cropped plastic bag turns into a vampire cape. To compose the rest of the costume, a black outfit and makeup are enough.

‍ Also read: How to make easy recyclable toys

3. Use ecological glitter

Traditional glitter, made from polyester PET film, is a type of microplastic that can contaminate water, air, and soil. The impact of microplastic is so great that a study carried out over 20 years by Professor Richard Thompson, from the University of Plymouth, and published in 2024, concluded that pollution from this type of material increased 50% in the seas and is a serious threat to biodiversity and human health.

No wonder, European Union It prohibits the sale of glitter made from non-biodegradable plastic in the countries that make up the block.

The good news is that you can continue to shine during Carnival without harming the environment. To do this, look for products made with vegetable gelatin and natural dyes or those made from cellulose - which are biodegradable and more sustainable than plastic ones, as revealed by Study by the University of Melbourne published in 2024.

4. Dispose of the garbage in the trash - and try to recycle

The generation of garbage is one of the greatest challenges of the party and one of the biggest environmental impacts of Carnival. To give you an idea of the size, in 2024, Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Salvador together generated about 5 thousand tons of garbage during the party period, according to a Survey carried out by CBN radio based on data from municipalities. The garbage thrown in public places, carelessly, dirties the beaches, reaches the sea or rivers and clogs culverts, which aggravates the flooding that is already so recurrent in the Brazilian summer.

Consuming with awareness, buying only what you really need, and taking care to always dispose of waste correctly are essential to reduce this volume. Along the block paths, always look for garbage bins and recycling points. Some cities, such as the capital of São Paulo, partner with waste pickers' cooperatives, which help with the correct disposal of materials and the generation of income for workers in the sector.

If you don't find trash cans during the revelry, save the waste to throw away only at the end of the party - and never in the middle of the street.

5. Prefer paper cups and straws

In the blocks, parades or at a party organized at your house, it is essential to have drinks to hydrate yourself in the heat of carnival. But be careful what type of cup and straw you use. If it is to be discarded, prefer items made with renewable raw materials, such as paper. Paper cups and straws are good options for this type of consumption because they can be recycled and biodegrade faster than those made from plastic.

To learn more about this topic, check out our text on The advantages of paper cups.

6. Use public transportation

Globally, the transportation sector is responsible for around 23% of all carbon dioxide emissions emitted on the planet, according to dice of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), 2023.

This percentage is high and can be reduced with small daily actions. Prioritizing public transportation over the car is one of them. If possible, use the subway, train, or bus to get to the revelry. And it never hurts to remember: empathize with the people who are sharing transportation with you. Respect the preferred accents and, when you notice that someone needs to sit down, try to offer your seat. When you have to travel longer distances, try to organize a ride so that more people use the same car.

Also read
How to combat global warming

7. Practice conscious consumption

Consuming only what is strictly necessary is essential in order not to exhaust the planet's resources. And that goes for every moment in life, even for fun moments, such as the carnival holiday.

To enjoy the party in a conscious way, don't forget to reflect on what you are buying, from a drink to a costume, to understand the impact of your consumption on the environment and society. One tip is to look for brands that have good sustainability practices and consume from small merchants or producers, which encourages regional development.

Also read
5 attitudes for sustainable living

8. Respect and care for people

Being so close to persons in blocks, parades or carnival parties, we must always be careful to respect limits and understand the needs of others. For the party to be light and positive, always act with empathy, politeness, and pay attention to notice if someone needs help.

Remember that respect for Human Rights it is everyone's obligation to build a more just society - and a safer carnival.

Conclusion: Your Attitudes Make a Difference

A more sustainable carnival is only possible when each of us does our part. And it doesn't take so much effort to do that: reusing or recycling a costume, throwing the garbage in the right place, and being aware of the limits of those who are celebrating close to you are simple actions that make all the difference. How about adopting them to enjoy the revelry more consciously?

One of the most awaited popular festivals in Brazil, Carnival is a moment of joy and reunion of thousands of people across the country. But often, the celebration does not take into account aspects of sustainability, such as waste care, conscious consumption, and respect for people.