How To Have A More Sustainable Easter
Easter is one of the special occasions for Christians and non-Christians to celebrate life with their friends and family. Kids love to search for chocolate eggs in the garden and play with balloons, while adults exchange gifts and send lovely postcards.
However, Easter traditions have led people into habits that seem benign to the planet, but are actually terrible for the environment. Each year, 8,000 tonnes of waste is generated on Easter eggs packaging and cards and many other bad habits for the environment.
So, we have to start thinking, more and more, how to avoid these wasting habits, such as: decorations, children’s toys, balloons, plastics and others. And of course what are the alternatives.
Wasting Habits And How To Avoid Them
Chocolates and other sweets:
A quick tour through any supermarket will, immediately, highlight the popularity of chocolate eggs and other sweets at this time of the year. Unfortunately, these chocolates often come in lots of packages, meaning they are not environmentally-friendly. They often can’t be recycled and end up in landfills shortly after being used for their single-use purpose. Instead, you can opt for alternatives that are locally-made, packed in a more sustainable materials (that come in minimal packaging, or made of recycled materials) and that you know that are from a fair trade. More funnier, you can also turn the situation into an activity and make your own handmade chocolate eggs versions!
Activities and hunts:
If you’re planning an Easter egg hunt, opt for wooden eggs! They will be kinder to the environment than plastic ones. Also, you can fill them with goodies for the kids! They are robust enough to last throughout their childhoods, and for indoor and outdoor hunts. For a simpler version, invest in some solid wooden eggs which can be painted with eco-friendly paints during a family activity.
Gifts:
When it comes to gifts, you should consider in a conscious way if you really want to buy them. And you can always shop from local stores or upcycling, recycled, and cruelty-free products that can be an alternative to other products bought at regular shopping and stores. Second-hand products are, also, a more sustainable option, as well as homemade products and made by order.
Value and appeal don’t always have to mean ‘new and shiny’. Antiques and collectibles are amazing personal gifts and are appreciated and remembered because they tell a story and are “re-used”, so there’s less impact on the environment.
Our Thoughts
Most people are committed to minimize their impacts, not questioning one important thing, that for us is the most important: the linear system that promotes discard.
Thinking in a more circular way, will eliminate the concept of garbage (waste/residue). So, there is an urgent need to reduce the buying of products made by virgin resources, allowing products to be recycled in the technical cycle or decomposed in biodegradable cycles.
It is also important that people start choosing products that are made to last and that are adjustable for different occasions.
We think that, when people are determined to protect the world and the environment against further pollution and contamination by non-degradable synthetic waste, it is amazing how an huge amount of creative ideas immediately come to mind! With a little time spent on searching for alternatives, and some efforts to avoid excessive consumerism, you will discover many incredible ways to be part of a more sustainable world. And of course without compromising in any way on having fun this Easter!
