Easter leads right into Earth Day (April 22) this year. So why not make it a green one? Here are seven tips to help you craft a sustainable celebration the kids will love.
Seven Tips for a Green Easter
- Choose Quality Over Quantity
By investing in a few higher-quality Easter gifts or decorations, you’re reducing your consumption, which the Earth will thank you for. You may also save money in the long run by making those investments in reusables, that will become family heirlooms that you can use again and again. - Make Memories, Not Garbage
When you look back on great Easter celebrations from your own childhood, it’s probably the things you did with other people that really stand out, not any specific item you received. By focusing on shared experiences with your kids at Easter you’ll be saving money, making memories and going green. - Choose Ethical Eggs
David Suzuki’s Queen of Green, Lindsay Coulter, advocates choosing eggs from “happy chickens”. Most grocery store eggs come from hens raised in battery cages. To help make sure the chickens that laid your Easter eggs are happy, certified organic eggs are your best choice. - Use Food to Colour Your Eggs
For Easter eggs that are even greener and safer for your family, consider colouring them using food. Not food colouring, but actual food. Red cabbage turns your eggs blue, beets turn your eggs pink, and turmeric turns your eggs yellow. - Choose Fair Trade Chocolate
Chocolate is yummy, but you know what’s even tastier? Easter treats you can feel good about. Buying Fair Trade chocolate ensures that the farmers that grew the cocoa are paid fair wages, receive funds to invest in their communities, and support sustainability. - Skip the Plastic
Colourful plastic Easter eggs are cheap, and they look pretty, but that plastic is going to survive in the landfill pretty much forever. Ditto for plastic Easter grass. Look for biodegradable options, or go reusable. Paper grass is widely available, or you can make your own by shredding old newspapers. And if you already have a supply of plastic eggs? Try to make them last as long as possible, so that you don’t have to buy more next year. - Buy Local
Support your local community and reduce the carbon footprint of your Easter treats, gifts and decorations by shopping local. There are lots of great businesses here in Toronto that focus on creating sustainable gifts and treats that you can feel good about giving (and enjoying yourself).
Image credit: Sara Kate Gillingham
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