Celebrate a Greener Easter

Easter is just around the corner and while it’s a time filled with joy, treats, and traditions, it can also generate a surprising amount of waste. This year, why not take a few easy steps to make your celebrations more environmentally friendly?

A Greener Easter

Choose Reusable and Natural Decorations

Swap single-use decorations for reusable items that can be enjoyed year after year. Think fabric bunting, wooden ornaments, ceramic rabbits, or second-hand treasures from charity shops. For a more natural feel, decorate with fresh flowers, painted stones or seasonal greenery, which can be composted afterwards.

Host a Low-Waste Easter Egg Hunt

Rather than using individually wrapped chocolate eggs that might melt or get lost, consider reusable plastic or wooden eggs. These can be filled with small toys, clues, or to be exchanged for a larger chocolate treat or other special prize. After the hunt, simply store the eggs for next year.

Make Treats or Give Experience-Based Gifts

Skip heavily packaged shop-bought Easter eggs and make your own chocolate treats or baked goods at home. Wrap them in reusable containers or compostable paper. Alternatively, consider giving experiences – such as a nature walk, a day out, or time spent crafting – instead of material gifts.

Choose Products with Minimal Packaging

If buying Easter products, opt for those with minimal or recyclable packaging. Look for cardboard boxes without plastic windows and avoid unnecessary plastic or foil. Supporting local chocolatiers who use eco-conscious packaging is another great choice.

Get Creative

Use clean packaging materials for craft projects. Easter egg boxes, foil, and plastic trays can become brilliant supplies for junk modelling. It’s a fun way to encourage creativity while teaching children about reusing and recycling.

Recycle Correctly: A Quick Guide

Make sure your waste is sorted properly after Easter:

• Easter egg boxes – Clean, dry cardboard can go in your home recycling bin. Flatten it to save space.

• Plastic packaging – Rinse plastic trays and inserts before recycling them at home.

• Foil wrappers – Scrunch clean foil into a ball and place it in your recycling bin.

• Sweet wrappers and soft plastics – These can’t be recycled at home in West Sussex, but many supermarkets offer soft plastic recycling collection points.

• Flowers and greenery – Compost them or use your garden waste bin, if available.
  

Additional Eco-Friendly Easter Tips

• Use natural dyes: Try red cabbage, beetroot, turmeric, red onion skin or spinach to dye eggs naturally.

• Try plant-based meals: Even a single vegetarian meal can lower your environmental impact.

• Avoid plastic Easter grass: Replace it with shredded paper, fabric scraps or real hay.

• Use sustainable baskets: Choose baskets made from natural materials or repurpose containers you already own.