Ritual offerings of incense and paper for the dead carry a deep intention of filial reverence, yet they also raise significant ethical and environmental questions. From an environmental perspective, the smoke released contains fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and other volatile compounds that degrade air quality, especially in enclosed temples and homes. This can create unhealthy conditions for practitioners, temple workers, and nearby communities, and in some cases contributes to broader urban smog. The cumulative effect is not only a matter of atmospheric chemistry but also of how spiritual practice intersects with the shared responsibility for breathable air.

The materials themselves present further concerns. Modern incense and paper offerings may incorporate synthetic dyes, metallic foils, chemical coatings, and other non-biodegradable components that release toxic substances and heavy metals when burned, leaving behind polluted ash and contributing to waste. Large-scale production of joss paper and incense also increases demand for wood and plant resources, raising worries about deforestation and resource depletion when sourcing is not sustainable. In addition, unburned or partially burned offerings can become solid waste that burdens local environments and disposal systems.

Practical risks accompany these subtler forms of harm. Open flames used in ancestor rites can easily become fire hazards, particularly in densely populated neighborhoods, old wooden structures, or dry rural graveyards where brush and forest fires may be sparked. Heavy smoke can also damage temple artwork, statues, and historic buildings, prompting some communities to limit the amount of incense burned to protect sacred spaces. These issues reveal how a practice meant to honor the past can inadvertently endanger both heritage and habitat.

Ethically, many communities are wrestling with the commercialization and social pressures surrounding offerings. The proliferation of elaborate paper goods—houses, luxury items, and other symbolic wealth—can shift the focus from sincere remembrance to conspicuous display, placing financial strain on families who feel obliged to demonstrate filial piety through ever-greater consumption. This commercialization may dilute cultural authenticity, prioritizing profit over spiritual meaning, and can generate tensions between generations as younger people balance ecological awareness with obligations to family tradition. In response, some religious voices advocate a return to the heart of the rite: emphasizing inner reverence, ethical conduct, and modest, “low-carbon” forms of worship that preserve the spirit of ancestor veneration while reducing harm to the living world.