Hopping into a Sustainable Easter: Small Changes You’ll Enjoy Making
Easter is right round the corner, and with it comes baskets of joy, chocolate bunnies, and… plastic eggs?
As 9 in 10 Londoners prepare to mark the arrival of longer days and blooming flowers, there’s no better time to take a step back and rethink our traditions when it comes to celebrations. A growing awareness of our environmental impacts makes it easier than ever to introduce small, but meaningful swaps in our festivities, without sacrificing the enjoyment!
Whatever your Easter traditions may be, whether it’s dyeing eggs, planning a feast, or simply spending time with family and loved ones, we’ve got tips to make your celebrations sustainable for you and the environment, without missing out on the fun! 🐣🌱
1. Rethink your Easter egg hunts 🥚🐰
Celebrating new beginnings means out with the old, in with the new! Instead of hiding plastic eggs around the house or garden, why not make your own - there are lots of fun alternatives to the typical low-quality plastic eggs that pollute our celebrations.
Try mixing together baking soda, salt, corn-starch and water for a homemade non-toxic clay - shape to preference and decorate! Paper Mâché eggs, from old newspapers and a flour-water paste, are another great option! Fancy the real deal? Why not hard-boil and decorate some real eggs with homemade dye (more on this later) - these can be eaten or composted after the hunt for a zero waste alternative!
For baskets, try recycling some old cardboard boxes, decorate fabric tote bags, or even fashion cloth bags from old t-shirts - great reusable options with an added creative touch!
2. Get creative with your decorations 🎉
How better to celebrate than by letting loose with some arts and crafts? This Easter, why not break the cycle of costly single-use decorations and get hands-on with some upcycling!
Try repurposing some old fabric into festive buntings, turn old jars into mini flower vases or candle holders, or even make cute garlands with recycled paper and magazines. Leftover egg containers lying in the kitchen? Why not paint them in the shades of spring and turn them into cheerful centrepieces!
Not only is upcycling a great way to reduce waste, but it also provides the perfect excuse to gather family or friends and blast some tunes for a wholesome craft night - complete with nibbles, laughs, and a warming atmosphere. Who ever said sustainability couldn’t be fun?🌷
3. Go DIY with dyes 🎨
Sometimes, a little throwback is all your celebrations need. Gone are the days of synthetic dyes and expensive store-bought kits, it’s time to get stuck back in with using natural colours!
Creating the perfect palette with ingredients straight from your kitchen is easy - just boil with water and vinegar and allow to soak (TIP: try placing hard-boiled eggs in a sealed container with the dye and leave to soak in the fridge for a more vibrant colour!) Think beet juice for a rosy pink, turmeric for yellow, and red cabbage for the perfect bluey-purple. Need more colours? Why not try mixing some colours together!
The best bit? You’ve just made an affordable, simple, and eco-friendly switch whilst adding a personal touch to your Easter celebrations!
TIPS: Fancy some patterns? Why not use leaves as prints! Simply place your favourite leaf over the egg and wrap with a piece of cheesecloth or similar, before soaking in the dye.
4. Throw a feast with the environment in mind 🍽️
After a day filled with excitement, warmth, and egg-hunting fun, sharing a hearty meal at the dinner table with friends, family or loved ones can help set a calmer, more intimate mood.
Try building your spread around fresh, seasonal ingredients this year. Look out, shopping locally is making a comeback (perfect excuse for that farmers’ market haul!) Choose roast veggies, freshly-made bread, and home-baked treats (keep an eye out for our favourite zero-waste recipes!) - leftover hot cross buns? Why not use it in a delicious bread and butter pudding, and mix in any leftover chocolate eggs for a chocolatey twist!
Serve up your creations on real plates (paper plates at a home gathering are so last year), and set the table with cloth napkins and your favourite upcycled pieces!
And there you have it, same Easter traditions with a sustainable twist! After all, small changes and a little creativity can go a long way, for your wallet and the planet! 🌍🌱