10 Tips for an Eco-Friendly Easter
Springtime is a time of rebirth and regeneration for nature, but it can also be a time of unnecessary waste during the Easter holiday. Luckily, going green doesn’t mean canceling the egg hunt or replacing chocolate with carrot sticks. Check out these tips for eco-friendly Easter celebrations that everyone will love!
- Cut out plastic eggs
Using plastic eggs can be extremely wasteful, especially when you’re purchasing new eggs each year. Instead, try biodegradable goody bags, a compostable Easter egg option, use wooden eggs, or try wool felted eggs. If you must use plastic eggs, store them in a safe place so you can reuse them each year.
- Gift an experience rather than an object
Easter baskets are often stuffed to the brim with new toys, candy, and chocolate. Rather than teaching your children a culture of materialism, offer a gift that you can share and experience together instead of a toy they’ll forget about by May. Consider a trip to the zoo to see the new baby animals, a visit to a park to see the seasons change in nature, or a cooking class using fresh, natural ingredients.
- Opt for greener grass
Easter egg baskets are typically filled with shreds of plastic grass, which is non-biodegradable and easily gets caught in unwanted habitats. Plastic kills over 1.1 million seabirds and animals every year, and world plastic production has doubled over the past 50 years. For a greener alternative, try shredding recycled paper, or using dried leaves from your garden.
- Second-hand Easter egg basket
Rather than purchasing a new, plastic Easter basket, consider shopping at your local thrift store or second-hand shop instead. They’ll have plenty of rustic options, and you’ll be preventing more waste. You can also get creative and make your own, using colorful ceramicware, buckets, or even umbrellas and rain boots!
- Try natural dyes for Easter eggs
One of the most beloved celebrations for Easter is dying eggs. However, many store-bought dyes are full of chemicals that can run into natural waterways and pollute freshwater ecosystems. Try natural dyes from fruits, vegetables, and spices you find in your kitchen! To use natural ingredients, boil 1 quart of water with 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and simmer with the ingredients for 30 minutes. Then, cool and strain the dye and let soak for at least 30 minutes. Use red cabbage in water for a vibrant blue, try red onions for a jade green, grape juice makes a great lavender, and paprika creates a pink-red.
- Organic or fair-trade chocolate
Easter traditions often include chocolates and other bunny-shaped treats. If you opt for chocolate in your Easter basket, consider purchasing chocolate that is locally produced to support your local chocolatiers. These options are readily available at your local grocer!
- Buy free-range, organic eggs
When purchasing several dozen eggs for dying, it can be tempting to reach for the cheapest bulk option. However, free-range hens that are fed an organic diet are more nutritious and better for the planet. In fact, organic eggs have been found to contain 3x more omega-3 fatty acids, 40% more vitamin A and twice as much vitamin E. “Do for the kids!” as they say.
- Compost eggshells
Easter time means more eggshells lying around than usual. Don’t just throw these out: egg shells are one of the easiest foods to compost! If you don’t have a compost system at home, crush up the shells and use them as a great cheap fertilizer for your garden.
- Avoid food waste
Chances are, you won’t be able to eat all the eggs that you dye, and eventually we all get tired of hard boiled eggs. Rather than throwing them out, try some recipes that incorporate eggs in a new way. Check out some of these quick and delicious recipes to avoid egg waste!
- Sustainable Easter outfits
We all love saying “Awwh” to the little boys and girls all dressed up in pastels – opt for a sustainable outfit this year! Try a second-hand store for high-quality, low price options that won’t introduce more waste. There are even online thrift options, like Thred Up, which sell brand-name clothes at a fraction of the price. You’ll also have a fun story to tell when your friends ask where you got such cute clothes!
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