Easter sure is fun, however, like any celebrations, it can take a toll on the planet.
Countdown to Easter is on, and supermarkets’ shelves are already full of decor, candies, chocolate eggs and other supplies – all of them wrapped in a useless plastic package. Therefore, it is fundamental to recycle and reuse such package, which otherwise will be wasted away.
As we did for Christmastime, you can read our five tips to make your celebration more sustainable and maybe even more fun. Small actions on a large scale make a huge impact. The Easter bunny–and the Earth–will be grateful.
#1 Upcycle old Easter decors.
If you have old Easter decorations, for instance, plastic eggs, old wooden baskets etc, instead of throwing them away (and adding more plastic to the landfill), repurpose them into a piece of decor you can put up every year. Use leftover party napkins and decoupage to create this gorgeous Easter egg wreath that gives new life to your old items.
#2 Alternatives to Easter basket grass
Consider getting rid of pre-made and expensive plastic or paper grass for Easter basket filler. For craftier people, try making your own with paper and scissors. As an alternative, you can also look for basket filler from Mother Nature if you have access to flowers, long grass, leaves, branches, or twigs. If you are short on time, consider green yarn as a substitute or buying an eco-friendly “artificial” grass.
#3 Eat Fair Trade-certified chocolate
We all know that Easter will be a chocolate feast. However, working conditions for many communities that produce its key ingredient, cocoa, involve forced labour and slave-conditions. This Easter, help cocoa producers earn a living wage and choose from Fair Trade-certified chocolates.
#4 A tree for present
Need to give an Easter present to someone you love? Consider buying one on Treedom, the online platform where you can have someone plant a tree for you and then follow it online. Treedom just launched the campaign “plant an egg” for Easter 2021.
#5 Skip the Individually Wrapped Candy
Easter chocolate is not so great for the environment. Most of the brightly coloured foil coating for milk chocolate treats – while technically recyclable if it is clean – normally ends up in the landfill. According to Better Home&Gardens, a 2018 study revealed that 3,000 tons of chocolate Easter egg packaging are generated every year in the UK alone. Instead of individually packaged candies, consider cooking delicious Easter dessert on your own.
