How to Avoid Easter Waste
If you’re wondering how to avoid overproduction of commercial waste this Easter, this article is for you. You can avoid purchasing plastic eggs and wicker baskets by making your chocolate eggs. You can even compost eggshells. Read on to learn about other ways to reduce the number of plastic eggs you purchase and save money. In addition to these tips, you can also compost eggshells to help the environment.
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1. Reuse wicker baskets
Using reusable wicker Easter baskets for gifts is eco-friendly to keep the holiday season waste-free. They are beautiful but also practical: reused baskets can be used again, filling them with craft materials, books, etc. Most households already have an Easter storage container or two, and you can easily decorate them with ribbons or coloured paper. Add some fresh flowers for a festive touch.
- Not all wicker baskets are recyclable. Some are made of natural fibres, but others are not.
- If you buy a basket with synthetic materials, you’ll have difficulty recycling it properly.
- You can use unwanted laundry baskets for home organisation purposes, such as holding toys, pet supplies, and jumper cables.
- You can even reuse wicker baskets for auto supplies.
- While plastic Easter baskets are incredibly durable, wicker ones will break down quickly.
These will not go through a landfill, so you can reuse them yearly. Your local thrift store can even repurpose them. Then you can donate them to a separate wood collection. They’ll find a new home with less commercial waste in landfills. To avoid creating more commercial waste, reuse your wicker baskets after your holiday. If you’ve got a tall umbrella, you can use a larger wicker basket with a metal liner to hold it. Afterwards, you can plant ivy, pothos, or clusters of flowers. If you’re looking for a tall trash basket for a compost bin, use a larger one.
2. Make your chocolate eggs.
The perfect way to avoid Easter waste is to make your chocolate eggs! There are many ways to do so, including filling them with chocolate or truffles, decorating them with edible lustre, and decorating them with royal icing. You can buy a mould with a tempered surface and edible organic and delicious decorations to save even more money. Here are a few tips to help you get started.
- The first step to making your Easter eggs is purchasing the ingredients and equipment needed to create delicious treats.
- Be sure to clean and dry your moulds before you begin. Handling chocolate moulds can impact the final product, so avoiding unnecessary wear and tear is vital.
- For example, chef Sue McMahon recommends wearing cotton gloves and washing them in warm water before each use.
- When cleaning chocolate moulds, use soft cotton wool and a non-abrasive cloth. A shiny mould will produce glossy chocolate!
- Once you have prepared the chocolate, you can make your chocolate eggs.
- The best way to create a beautiful and unique Easter treat is to use a silicone mould.
- Once you have finished the first layer, repeat the process two or three times, ensuring that you allow the chocolate to set between each layer.
- To make your eggs look even better, you can use creative egg moulds that allow you to customise each egg.
3. Compost eggshells
Composting eggshells is an excellent way to recycle food waste and reduce your overall environmental impact and production of commercial waste. Eggshells contain protein and calcium that will benefit your plants. They have the same amount of nutrients as one cup of orange juice. Moreover, they are a great addition to the soil of your compost bin. And you can also use eggshells to build worm compost. While composting eggshells, you will not hurt the worms.
Eggshells will contribute calcium and potassium to the soil. They will take longer to decompose, but the nutrients they contain will be highly beneficial to the soil. The calcium and potassium in eggshells will prevent pests from entering the garden. And because eggshells are more challenging than most food waste, they will positively affect the pH level of your compost. So, compost eggshells and avoid Easter waste!
Eggshell decomposition can take up to three years. However, some environmental factors may make the decomposition process faster. For instance, the decomposition rate is faster when the eggshells are stored in moist conditions. Soil with a high acid content also accelerates the process. Eggshells can also be placed in the garbage, but they remain intact. Moreover, you can compost eggshells and other food waste to reduce environmental impact.
4. Avoid buying plastic eggs.
It is possible to reuse plastic Easter eggs for years. If you cannot find reusable eggs, borrow or buy secondhand ones. Search for recycled or wood eggs if you need plastic eggs instead. Before buying plastic eggs, consider what you’ll put inside them. You can put paper-wrapped candies, coins, or even lip balm. You can also place clues to larger prizes inside your eggs. When buying plastic Easter eggs, be sure to ask for them to be recyclable.
Some eggs are not recyclable and may contain Bisphenol A, which harms our health. Opting for real eggs is a better choice if you’re looking to prevent easter waste. However, if you must purchase plastic Easter eggs, you can paint them yourself. Alternatively, you can donate them to charity or a thrift shop, and they can be reused for years. You can even upcycle them by making beautiful ornaments or egg wreaths with them.
You can avoid buying plastic eggs altogether by choosing alternative types of candy. Bulk bin stores carry candies that don’t come in plastic wrappers. Alternatively, you can buy foil-wrapped chocolate or homemade treats instead. Remember that plastic eggs are in landfills yearly, so it’s worth avoiding them. Instead of giving your children plastic Easter eggs, consider gifting them homemade chocolates or journals.
5. Make your cards
If you’re looking for a simple way to reduce the amount of plastic you use during Easter, consider making your own Easter cards. Making cards will save you money and help make the occasion more personal. Reducing the amount of plastic you use by sending e-cards or social media messages is another way to reduce the waste you generate this Easter. If you must buy a car, ensure it’s made of paper or recycled material and avoid using glitter and bows.
Make sure to recycle all envelopes and use recycled paper whenever possible. If you don’t feel confident making your cards, you can take the time to buy recycled materials. Card and foil are both recyclable, but glitter and other non-recyclable materials cannot be. Moreover, to give your handmade cards a second life, cut out pictures from the card before putting them in the recycling bin. By making your cards, you’ll be able to save money and help the environment.
6. Avoid factory farms for colouring eggs.
To avoid using dyes from factory farms, colour your eggs with natural foods instead. Plant dyes are gentler in the environment and take longer to take effect. The colours in plants vary based on the species. Beets give eggs a pink colour. Turmeric makes yellow. Yellow onion peels make orange. Purple cabbage gives blue. Be aware that different plants react differently with eggs, so you may end up with green eggs if you use purple cabbage.
Coloured eggs can also contain bacteria and dirt. Make sure you store them in a fridge to keep them fresh. Always wash and refrigerate eggs once they are coloured. Then, eat them within a week. If you’re worried about the waste, you can always purchase plastic eggs and fill them with candy. This way, you can use them year after year. Coloured eggs can be hazardous if you leave them out for a few hours, so keep in mind that they should be refrigerated after colouring.
Avoid Easter Waste – Learn more about UK business waste statistics here
Other useful links from our Commercial Waste Centre
Is a Waste Service For Small Businesses Right For Your Business?
A Guide to Commercial Food Waste Disposal in the UK
What Products Are Made From Recycled Waste Material?
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