Easter is one of my favourite holidays, not only because I get to consume my bodyweight in chocolate and it’s still okay, but because of all the different ways I can show my family and friends how to continue living sustainably throughout the Easter period.
Here are some of my best tips on having a zero-waste and eco-friendly Easter:
Repurpose an Easter basket
Use something you already have as an Easter basket… a beach bucket, galvanized bucket, lunch box or pillowcase will work just fine. Don’t be afraid to think outside the square! Thrift shops are full of baskets waiting for a new home too.
If your kids are the crafty type, decorate the baskets with stickers, draw on them or colour them in or tie ribbons on the handles. The sky is the limit!
Make some eco-friendly Easter grass
Is your home or office shredder getting a bit full? Great! Grab some shredded paper, newspaper, brown paper bags or magazines and fill those Easter baskets up! The best thing about this is that the shredded paper can be tossed into the compost bin later or reused as packing material.
Decorating Easter eggs
My family loves to eat hard-boiled egg, but hard-boiled egg yolk? Not so much. Instead, we boil hot water in the kettle, pour the water into mugs, add some white vinegar and food colouring, then drop the egg in. This way, the egg does not become hard-boiled, and we’re able to crack them the next day and eat them the way we like it!
There’s also the natural dye option. You’ll need water, white vinegar, fruits, veggies and spices for colour!
For reds and pinks, beetroot, cranberries, zinger tea and cherries are your best bet.
For yellows, golds and browns, opt for ground turmeric, saffron, chamomile tea, ground coffee and black tea.
For greens, use chopped or boiled spinach.
For blues and purples, use frozen blueberries, red cabbage and red onion skins.
Don’t leave out the white vinegar – it’s a necessary ingredient so the colour adheres to the eggs!
Choose local and reduce packaging and food waste
Reduce your carbon footprint by choosing locally grown and made food. Remember that when you buy local, not only are you supporting your community, you are also reducing food mileage. As for reducing packaging, avoid buying hot cross buns in plastic packaging, but look for those in reuseable cloth bags, or gather the kids and make your own hot cross buns!
And let’s be honest. What is an Easter basket without a little chocolate?
Part of the celebration of Easter is celebrating how sweet this time of the year is. Buy Fair Trade Certified chocolate to ensure it’s ethical, and farmers and workers in the developing world have decent working conditions. They should be available to buy in most large supermarkets.
See? Being eco-friendly during Easter is easier than ever. Your Earth-friendly choices will influence your family and friends in no time! Remember, small changes = big difference.