Worshippers across Taiwan are shifting to centralized incinerators for burning joss-paper bundles during the annual Ghost Month [1, 2].
This transition aims to curb severe seasonal air pollution caused by traditional open-flame burning practices. By moving away from individual fires, municipal governments and religious sites hope to maintain cultural traditions, and protect public health [1, 2].
At the Taiwan City God Temple in Taipei, the initiative is being implemented in partnership with local government authorities [1, 2]. Instead of lighting small fires on street corners or in open courtyards, worshippers are encouraged to deposit their paper offerings into specialized incineration units [1, 2]. These units are designed to burn the bundles more efficiently and control the release of pollutants into the atmosphere [1, 2].
Ghost Month is a traditional lunar period where it is believed the gates of the underworld open, allowing spirits to visit the living. Burning joss paper—symbolic money and goods—is a core ritual intended to provide for these spirits [1, 2]. However, the sheer volume of paper burned across the island typically leads to a spike in particulate matter during this time of year [1, 2].
The shift toward centralized burning represents a broader effort to modernize religious practices in the face of environmental challenges. While the ritual remains the same, the method of delivery has changed to meet urban air quality standards [1, 2].
Local officials said the collaboration with temples like the Taiwan City God Temple is essential for the program's success. By providing the infrastructure for eco-friendly burning, the city ensures that worshippers do not have to choose between their faith and the environment [1, 2].
“Worshippers are shifting to centralized incinerators for burning joss-paper bundles.”
The move toward centralized incineration reflects a growing tension in East Asian urban centers between the preservation of ancestral rites and the necessity of strict air quality management. By institutionalizing the burning process through municipal partnerships, Taiwan is attempting to decouple cultural identity from environmental degradation, creating a scalable model for other cities facing similar seasonal pollution spikes during religious festivals.
