Week 46 - 7 Eco-Easter Ideas
Like any time of celebration Easter can come with a lot of extra unnecessary packaging and unnecessary waste so why not buck the trend this year and go for an Eco-Easter. It's easier than you think and both your pocket and your teeth will thank you!
7 Ways to have A Green Easter
1. Choose Easter Eggs with Minimal Packaging
Easter Eggs are one of the worst products on the market for excess packaging. A much smaller than expected foil-wrapped egg in a plastic mould, in a cardboard box that is finally wrapped in clear plastic. Ouch! That is a lot of non recyclable single use plastic for a quick treat. So choose eggs with less packaging or simply don't give as many. (See pt 4)
 |
| French Easter eggs generally have less packaging |
2. Go for Fair-Trade and Organic Chocolate
If you are going to buy chocolate buying fair-trade and organic is the best option for workers and the environment.
3. Buy Real Eggs
Head to your local farm shop and buy some locally produced free range eggs. Have fun using natural dyes to colour them and use these for your Easter Egg Hunts.
4. Buy Other Presents
Why not get a bit creative this year and buy some different Easter gifts. How about some organic carrot seeds so your children can grow tasty carrots for the Easter Bunny? Or an Easter themed book or china Easter cup. Once the chocolate is gone, it's gone but other gifts will last much longer.
5. Support Local Businesses
I have already mentioned buying real eggs from a local producer and you can extend this to more of the food you eat this Easter. Head to your nearest farmer's market or farm shop this Easter and help support local producers. Also look out for Easter events being run by National Trust properties and businesses in your area. Your local open farm may have real chicks, baby rabbits or lambs for you to coo over. Or what about a family holiday at an Eco-Gite? Do remember though, that if you are walking in the countryside with your dog that it must be under control and not chase livestock.
6. Make your own Easter Bonnets etc.
For bonnets, table decoration, baskets etc you can make your own and avoid over-packaged and overly plastic items. Whilst you can get some lovely Easter craft kits it is even better if you make your own from items you've already got in the house.
7. Make you own Easter Treats
Pretty much as soon as food retailers get Christmas out of the way then the first Creme Eggs appear on the shelves, followed all too soon by all sort of Easter foods to tempt those with a sweet tooth. OK, by now you MUST know the score - they'll be over packaged, high in sugar and fat and packed full of e-numbers and chemical additives. You can avoid all of these by making your own. Home made and decorated Easter cupcakes are so much more tasty and the kids will love helping you to make them.
Do you have any more tips to enjoy a more Eco-Easter? Or any favourite craft ideas? Please do let me know in a comment.
Have you seen all the other posts in my #WeeklyGreenTips series? Click on "Weekly Green Tips" in the labels section in the right hand column for loads more green inspiration.
Hi Rosie,
ReplyDeleteI love your ideas. I already bought my husband an organic white chocolate rabbit for Easter and then I will get make other healthy treats. That suggestions is probably the best if you want treats is to make your own. Buying other presents that are local is also a great idea. Sharing on twitter and pinning. Have a healthy, happy & blessed day.
Thank you Marla and I'm glad you like my tips. It sounds like you've done plenty of Green things for this Easter.
DeleteThese are some great tips, not having kids I had forgot about Easter bonnets! This post will be featured on next week's Waste Less Wednesday Blog Hop. Thank you for participating.
ReplyDeleteThankfully my boys would not be seen DEAD in an Easter bonnet!
DeleteGreat tips - pinned and shared.
ReplyDeleteThank you Carol.
DeleteLots of good ideas here Rosie, we love blowing our own eggs and decorating them. We've also cut down hugely on the amount of chocolate we buy, preferring to give a small gift instead.
ReplyDeleteBut at least French Easter eggs generally come with less packaging. I have to admit we don't really celebrate Easter much and I *may* wait until afterwards to buy the boys their Lindt bunnies at half price!
DeleteWhat a great set of suggestions. It's so true that there's so much packaging that is not necessarily needed. #GoingGreenLinky
ReplyDeleteEaster eggs must be some of the worst products for over packaging. Mind you I am old enough to remember having decorated cardboard eggs that my Mum filled with sweets using the same egg year after year.
DeleteWe tend to have to buy chocolate from more specialist sources anyway because of M being dairy allergic, I use a local lady who makes the most amazing chocolate eggs and Easter treats. She uses minimal packaging too! My kids asked for Hama beads this year, as non edible Easter gift, I don't know how eco friendly they are!
ReplyDeleteI am not sure about the eco-credentials of Hama beads but I suspect not too good! I was so glad when Ben stopped using them although I still keep finding them in odd places several years later!
DeleteI always chose Easter eggs with the less packaging because I think we are paying for the package rather than the chocolate, it helps with cutting down on landfill too, of course #goinggreen@_karendennis
ReplyDeleteI'm making a lot of changes this Easter to be more zero waste. I've bought reusable tin eggs for the kiddies, which I plan to fill with package free chocolate from a local sweet store. Really looking forward to using them #GoingGreenLinky
ReplyDeleteWe have been looking at Easter eggs with less packaging this year too. Our school are doing a project on fair-trade too this term, so my eldest three are actively looking for products that are fair-trade, which is fab! Brilliant tips
ReplyDeleteI love tip number 5! What a brilliant idea to see if you can visit your local farm, and it would be great fun for the kids.
ReplyDeleteSupporting local is something we should all make an effort to do, even if it's is in a small way.
Great tips Rosie, thanks for sharing :)
#GoingGreenLinky
I remember doing that with my kids for a few years. Maybe time to bring back the cardboard egg for the grandchildren (sorry kids!).
ReplyDelete