We celebrate Easter in different ways. Church services, family get-togethers, feasts, games, etc. Children especially love Easter because they get to have special treats and play the egg hunt. On the other hand, adults have the preparation responsibility— buying easter eggs, cooking/serving meals, decorating the house, and more.
Americans spend about $20.8 Billion during Easter, with 90% of consumers spending on candies, 88% on food, and 48% on decorations— resulting in a 25% higher generation of waste. All of these eventually end up in landfills, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
As conscious consumers, we should consider our impact during holidays like Easter. Let's look at some ways we can plan a sustainable Easter celebration in 2022—
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Now let us look closer at these options:
Buy organic eggs:
An Easter celebration is not complete without some eggs! Consumers tend to buy chocolate eggs from stores while others stick to traditional eggs. Organic and free-range eggs are an excellent sustainable option if you're part of the latter. They're not only eco-friendlier but also better for your health. Organic eggs have been found to contain twice as many omega-3 fatty acids and higher percentages of vitamins A and E. USDA regulates the organic label on these eggs— the hens are cage-free with access to sunlight and given organic feed. You will be consuming healthier while supporting organic farmers at the same time.
Try Pete and Gerry's organic and free-range eggs!
Image credit: Pete and Gerry's
Use organic food dyes:
Easter eggs look dreamier in different colors, and edible dyes make that happen. In the last 50 years, the consumption of food dyes has increased by 500%. But a lot of these dyes are synthetically made of coal tar, petroleum, etc., which can have some serious after-effects—resulting in symptoms of ADHD and hyperactivity. Even the FDA's list of approved food dyes is safe only when used per their regulations. To make your eggs pop with vibrancy this Easter, we say go for organic colors. For instance, strawberries for pink, beetroot for red, turmeric for yellow— the possibilities are vast.
Look for organic and fairtrade chocolates:
Most traditional chocolates involve palm oil, which is known for contributing to the destruction of rainforests. You can opt for Fairtrade chocolates for the most sustainable options, which ensures that the entire supply chain adheres to ethical and eco-friendly production processes. There are also options for vegan treats if you have dietary restrictions.
Find some fairtrade chocolate for Easter HERE.
Image credit: Fran's Chocolates
Don't waste your eggshells:
After consuming your easter eggs, where do the shells go? You discard them in the bin, and then they're off to the garbage truck. But there's more you can do with eggshells. Use it for compost or even manure for your kitchen gardens. Your garden bed will be enriched with calcium from the shells, helping the plants to grow faster. The crushed shells can also be used to ward off snails, slugs, cutworms, and other crawling pests.
Related blog: How to compost at home
Make zero-waste baskets:
Single-use plastic baskets are a popular Easter accessory. But they only add to waste generation. The world produces about 300 million plastic waste every year, nearly equal to the weight of the entire human population! So rather than purchasing plastic baskets, consider buying eco-friendly options such as organic canvas tote bags, mesh net bag or even a sustainable backpack. You can also get creative by using buckets, reusable containers, colorful ceramics, and even umbrellas as greener alternatives.
Sustainable decor and gift wraps:
Decoration and gifts are other elements of anticipation during the celebration. Use egg cartons for making cute DIY chicks, bunnies, and egg holders. You can also incorporate additional items like mason jars, toilet paper rolls, and colorful yarns. Instead of plastic wrappers, pack gifts in tea towels, old newspapers, canvas drawstrings, etc.
Eco-friendly games:
The egg hunt is the biggest game during Easter— and that can be sustainable as well. Wooden toys instead of plastic eggs or real eggs are one eco-friendly option. You can wrap them in natural fibers, say, organic cotton cosmetic and toiletry bags or old containers to make seeking fun for the little ones. Other games we love are egg and spoon races, story-telling sessions, easter gardening, etc.
Organic delights for all:
Aside from chocolates and eggs, maybe consider adding something else this year? How about a vegan hot-cross bun or an organic carrot cake? Or perhaps a pie made with apples collected from your backyard? You'll be treating your loved ones with not just delicious recipes, but also nutritious food that promotes health and wellness.
These ideas should help you celebrate a fun and eco-friendly Easter. But of course, the alternatives are endless— make this year one to remember by exploring all the different ways you can make your Easter greener.
Happy Easter!
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