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Lucknow's 'Green' Firecrackers Fail to Meet Environmental Standards
18 Oct
Summary
- Many Lucknow firecrackers labeled as 'green' lack CSIR-NEERI certification
- Prominent brands use 'gimmicky' QR codes that don't provide valid information
- Vendors are uninformed about which crackers are truly environmentally-friendly
According to a reality check conducted on October 18, 2025, many firecrackers sold in Lucknow markets are not as environmentally-friendly as their packaging suggests. Some products prominently display the 'green crackers' label, but they do not carry the required CSIR-NEERI logo or QR code that would verify their certification.
Additionally, a few prominent brands have included QR codes on their labels, but these either lead to websites without any relevant information or simply display images that do not open to any links. Even the vendors selling these firecrackers are unaware of which ones are better for the environment.
Green crackers are designed to emit fewer pollutants compared to traditional ones, with at least a 30% reduction in particulate matter or a 20% reduction in particulate matter along with 10% fewer gaseous pollutants. These eco-friendly products can be identified by the green CSIR-NEERI logo and a QR code that should direct consumers to the institute's license granted to the manufacturer.
However, the reality check found that some companies have even printed fake NEERI labels on their products, misleading buyers. Furthermore, the team discovered that certain brands with fake QR codes and questionable 'green cracker' claims were being sold at a 35-40% higher price than those with proper certification.
