Easter brings a time of togetherness, a time for the giving of gifts and chocolate, decorations and hot cross buns! With that comes the plastic wrappings, the foil egg coverings, and waste! so much waste!
There are ways that you can enjoy Easter in a more sustainable way and a more environmentally friendly way. Lets explore some of the areas we can of mitigate the waste and the environmental impact and ensure we can adopt a more sustainable Easter.
1. Easter eggs
In the UK between 80 and 90 million chocolate eggs are sold every year, contributing significantly to packaging waste.
Packaging waste has a huge impact and we should be thinking and acting on a more sustainable option for packaging our Easter Eggs.
Packaging waste
Easter eggs have always been wrapped in coloured and patterned foil and often include smaller chocolate bars wrapped in foil. Sometimes even little plastic toys are encased within the egg. The egg itself is sat on a plastic tray and the whole thing is then placed within a cardboard box. There is in every household, more waste produced around Easter because of the increased packaging. This is an incredibly wasteful time. However, there are steps can you take to reduce the impact.
Foil is easily recyclable. Scrunch it into a ball and throw it in your recycling bin, Cardboard packaging can also be thrown into your recycling bin.
Sustainable Easter eggs
Have you thought about non-chocolate eggs crafted from wood or metal as sustainable alternatives.? These can serve as timeless Easter decorations to be gifted and reused year after year.
Alternatively, you could purchase large hollow eggs for your children, perfect for filling with eco-friendly gifts. This zero-waste Easter option promotes reuse rather than disposal. This option is much higher up the waste hierarchy.
Sustainable Easter egg hunts
Simple changes can make a substantial difference to Easter egg hunts. Instead of the typical foil-covered chocolate eggs, consider alternatives like paper or cardboard eggs decorated by your children for indoor use. Use leftover crafting materials to minimise waste further.
Solid wooden eggs provide a sustainable solution for outdoor hunts. Children can get creative by painting these eggs before the search begins. Inexpensive options like decorative stones with temporary egg designs also offer a thrifty yet eco-conscious alternative.
Enhance the excitement using refillable wooden eggs stuffed with various packaging-free treats — you could even fill them with hunt clues for older children. While initially more costly than chocolate eggs, the investment pays off in the long run, offering endless opportunities for reuse and creative fun.
2. Easter Dinner
Easter isn’t just about eggs — it’s also about a hearty roast dinner! Hot Cross Buns and sweet treats,
For a more sustainable option, why not bake your own hot cross buns instead of buying them? This allows you to savour these treats without contributing to packaging waste
With your roast dinner, make a conscious effort to support local producers by sourcing your meat and vegetables from local producers. Try and choose seasonal produce and items free from plastic packaging. Don’t forget to take your reusable shopping bag with you!
3. Easter cards
Consider transitioning to e-cards or sending a heartfelt message via email, text, or social media. These tech-savvy alternatives offer an eco-friendly option for staying connected during the festive season.
If you prefer physical cards, prioritise those crafted from recycled paper, free from embellishments like glitter and ribbon, and not packaged in plastic bags. Alternatively, get creative by making your own Easter Greeting Cards by using materials from your home. The kids will love this.
When receiving Easter Greeting cards, remember to recycle your cards, unless you wish to hold onto them and reuse them for another project.
By adopting these sustainable practices around Easter cards, you can celebrate while preserving the planet for future generations.
4. Easter Decorations
Easter decorations lining the shelves of shops this time of year may be tempting, but many of these items are poorly constructed and prone to breakage. They ultimately end up in the bin and are then sent to a landfill.
If you’re keen to decorate your home for Easter
, it’s wise to adopt a long-term perspective when selecting decorations. For instance, choose washable napkins instead of single-use serviettes and favour durable wooden or fabric decorative pieces over flimsy paper alternatives.
Include natural elements in your décor wherever possible — they’re free and can be composted afterwards. You could use a tree branch to hang colourful eggs or fashion a door wreath from a reusable metal frame adorned with natural garden materials.
Perfect your Easter table setting by adding a vibrant floral touch with scattered fresh flowers or bunches displayed in vases.
Encourage your children to use household waste when engaging in craft activities. They could repurpose cracked eggshells by painting and displaying them or transform toilet roll tubes into charming Easter bunnies by adding feet and ears.
Please embrace sustainability this Easter and promote it everywhere you go and to everyone you talk to. Thank you!
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