NEA advisory for Hungry Ghost Festival: Clear offerings after prayers, items left behind may constitute littering

Those who make offerings during the Hungry Ghost Festival should keep shared spaces clean while paying their respects, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said in an Aug. 12 advisory on Facebook.

The 2026 seventh lunar month runs from Aug. 13 to Sep. 10.

The offering of food and burning of joss paper to honour ancestors is observed by Taoists and Buddhists.

Joss paper should not be burned along common corridors, on staircases or at lift lobbies, but at designated areas, NEA said.

“Do not toss or scatter joss paper, and clear your offerings after prayers. Leaving items behind may constitute littering,” NEA added.

The agency also said: “Burn offerings based on sincerity, and burn smaller amounts of joss paper to reduce smoke and ashes.”