How to Have a More Sustainable Easter

Easter is when many gather with family and friends to observe traditions, often involving chocolate, egg hunts, festive meals, and gifts. Australians spend up to $2 billion on Easter food and chocolate annually (Perkiss, 2024), contributing to waste through plastic packaging, excess food, and disposable decorations.

Eco-friendly selections, such as choosing ethically sourced chocolate, using reusable decorations, and meal planning, allow for maintaining traditions while reducing impact.

Integrate Sustainability is excited to share our favourite tips on how to have a more sustainable easter.

Eco-Friendly Easter Eggs: Sustainable Alternatives

Easter eggs are at the heart of the holiday, and there are many ways to enjoy them while being mindful of the environment. Choosing ethically sourced chocolate supports fair labour practices and sustainable farming. To make more informed choices, consider checking out Australia’s top three ethical certification bodies: Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade, and Cocoa Horizons. These organisations set high standards for sustainability and worker welfare. You can find more guidance on ethical chocolate at CHOICE’s buying guide (Evans, 2022). (Figure 1) displays the logos of these organisations to help you recognise them when making purchasing decisions.

It is also important to consider packaging waste. While Easter egg foil is recyclable, it must be clean and tightly compacted into a ball approximately the size of a golf ball or larger before being placed in the yellow-lidded recycling bin. This helps prevent small fragments from being lost or discarded during recycling (Sunshine Coast Council , 2024). Excessive packaging presents an additional challenge, as many Easter chocolates are wrapped in multiple layers of plastic and foil. Choosing products with minimal or recyclable packaging can significantly reduce landfill waste (Cowles, 2024).

For a creative and sustainable alternative, consider dyeing natural eggs using ingredients like onion skins, beetroot juice, or spinach to achieve vibrant, eco-friendly colours (Sullivan, 2020). Reusable eggs, such as wooden or ceramic options, offer an alternative to single-use plastic and can be decorated and reused annually, supporting the development of lasting family traditions (Figure 2) (Cowles, 2024). Fabric eggs filled with small surprises can also be a creative and sustainable way to celebrate.

Hosting a Fun and Eco-Friendly Easter Egg Hunt

Easter egg hunts are a delightful part of the holiday, and they can be just as exciting when approached sustainably. Choosing biodegradable or reusable eggs made from wood or paper ensures a fun and waste-free event (Figure 3) (Cowles, 2024).

Eco-friendly prizes, such as seed packets, wooden toys, or handmade crafts, provide sustainable alternatives that encourage creativity and outdoor activities (The Good Boutique, 2023).

Incorporating nature-based activities into the egg hunt adds an educational and engaging element. Alongside the search for eggs, children can learn about local plants and wildlife, or participate in small gardening projects, thereby fostering an appreciation for the environment (St Albans Childcare, 2024). Organising an eco-treasure hunt, where children collect natural items like leaves and flowers, can also be an enjoyable and interactive way to celebrate.

Encouraging participants to bring reusable collection containers, like cloth bags or woven baskets, further reduces single-use plastic waste (Cowles, 2024). Personalising baskets with reusable decorations can add a distinctive touch and allow for repeated use each year.

Sustainable Easter Decorations and Gifts

Decorating for Easter can be both festive and eco-friendly. Choosing decorations made from natural materials, such as wood, fabric, or paper, ensures they are biodegradable or recyclable. Upcycling materials, such as transforming egg cartons into charming crafts, adds a creative and sustainable touch to the holiday (Cowles, 2024). Platforms like Pinterest offer endless inspiration for sustainable Easter crafts (Holland, 2019).

When it comes to gifts, experience-based presents provide alternatives to physical items. consider gifting workshops, event tickets, or outdoor adventures that create lasting memories (Linden, 2025). Handmade gifts, such as baked goods, knitted accessories, or personalised crafts, make thoughtful and sustainable Easter presents.

For those who enjoy traditional Easter baskets, opting for reusable baskets made from wicker or cloth instead of disposable plastic options adds another layer of sustainability. Filling them with eco-friendly goodies, such as organic treats, seed packets, or handmade toys, makes for a fun and responsible celebration.

Mindful Easter Feasting: Delicious and Sustainable Choices

Easter meals are a key aspect of the holiday, and sustainable food choices offer an alternative approach to traditional celebrations. Sourcing local and organic ingredients supports sustainable farming and reduces the carbon footprint associated with long-distance food transportation (Boyan, 2024).

Careful meal planning helps minimise food waste. By estimating portions correctly and saving leftovers for future meals, families can ensure that delicious Easter dishes do not go to waste (Schanes, Dobernig, & Gozet, 2017). Incorporating more plant-based dishes also reduces the environmental impact of holiday meals. Vegetable-based mains, hearty grain dishes, and fresh salads use fewer resources to produce, while offering practical and satisfying options (Ritchie, 2020). Classic dishes like roasted vegetable tarts, stuffed mushrooms, and lentil-based shepherd’s pie can be delicious centrepieces for an Easter meal. Composting food scraps is another way to reduce waste and nourish the garden, turning leftovers into rich soil for future plant growth.

Celebrating Easter Sustainably

Easter is an excellent time to celebrate with loved ones, where we can uphold long-standing traditions and create lasting memories. This holiday presents a unique opportunity to blend sustainability and enjoyment, ensuring our celebrations are environmentally conscious. We can ensure our Easter celebrations are as healthy for the environment as for our loved ones by adopting habits such as using ethically sourced chocolates, reusing decorations, and reducing food waste. These small but significant adjustments promote a more sustainable future for everybody while preserving the season’s festive spirit.

We at Integrate Sustainability wish you a joyful and meaningful Easter! May this season bring you happiness, time with loved ones, and a renewed appreciation for our beautiful planet. Happy Easter!

How To Have A More Sustainable Easter

References

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