How To Make Your Easter More Sustainable
Easter is a holiday with a lot of stuff— and often, a lot of that stuff ends up as waste in a landfill. Even some of the seemingly innocuous aspects of Easter– like the candy– have far reaching environmental consequences. Apart from the unethical practices of the larger candy companies, candy can generate a lot of waste with its packaging, and most easter eggs are made out of plastic that can’t be composted or recycled.
Not wanting to forsake a beloved holiday, we put together our guide to celebrating Easter in its true spirit: embracing nature.
Upgrade Your Eggs
If you’re going the traditional easter egg route, break out of your shell and try sourcing local eggs this year instead of buying whatever’s cheapest around the corner. Head to your local farmers market to pick some up– it may cost a few extra bucks, but you might make a new farmer friend in the process. If there are no local options, head to the store and opt for free-range eggs.
For your hunt, avoid cheap plastic eggs, which tend to break easily and aren’t recyclable in some places. Instead, look for products like [easyazon_link identifier=”B017RNK59S” locale=”US” nw=”y” tag=”gardcoll03-20″]Eco Eggs[/easyazon_link], which are made from 100% renewable content. (Plus, Eco Eggs is a woman-owned business!)
Opt For Au Natural Egg Dye
When dyeing, you can try making your own dye from various plant based products you might have in your kitchen, or else you can try picking up a pre-made eco egg dye option. We’re particularly fond of [easyazon_link identifier=”B003EG9U30″ locale=”US” nw=”y” tag=”gardcoll03-20″]Eco Kids kit[/easyazon_link], which comes with a grass growing kit in addition to the dyes.
Use Real Grass (And Better Baskets)
When it comes to stuffing your basket, there are plenty of alternatives to that strange, green, stringy plastic that seems to wind up everywhere. Make the stuffing part of the gift by using a live plant like [easyazon_link identifier=”B01J8FHLQI” locale=”US” nw=”y” tag=”gardcoll03-20″]cat grass[/easyazon_link], which you can sprout yourself on the cheap for a lush bed of green. Or, if you’re looking for an option that doesn’t need to be watered, try organically grown grass (there are even brands that actively support sustainable economies!) or dyed wool or yarn (which can be reused year to year).
As for the basket itself, instead of buying the same cheap basket year after year, invest in a basket that can do the work year-round. We’re personally fond of our statement basket collection, which brings a chic flare to the classic woven basket.
Fill ‘Em Up (The Right Way)
Like Valentine’s Day, Easter is a holiday that involves a lot of candy. While we try to keep our intake to minimum, there are some occasions when you just can’t deny the rush. So if you are going in on the sweets (and– let’s be real– it’s happening), look for botanically based chocolates, [easyazon_link identifier=”B00FDM6S1A” locale=”US” nw=”y” tag=”gardcoll03-20″]fair trade chocolates[/easyazon_link], or sweets made [easyazon_link identifier=”B003V5V5J6″ locale=”US” tag=”gardcoll03-20″]only with fruits[/easyazon_link].
Looking for a sugar-free option? Coloring books are an engaging way to embrace the season– plus they can reduce stress and improve focus. Pack up a set of [easyazon_link identifier=”185669979X” locale=”US” tag=”gardcoll03-20″]postcards[/easyazon_link] or a [easyazon_link identifier=”1780674880″ locale=”US” tag=”gardcoll03-20″]booklet[/easyazon_link] for a long lasting gift. (We also have one you can print for yourself!)
