Easter is a time of joy and renewal, but traditional celebrations often overlook the impact on our planet! In my quest for a greener, more sustainable holiday, I came up with 5 fool-proof and simple steps we can all take to have sustainable Easter festivities, with eco friendly Easter eggs 💚.
This guide is dedicated to transforming your Easter into a celebration that honors our Earth. We’ll explore how each choice can contribute to a more eco-conscious holiday!
Keep reading for guidance and inspiration to make Easter kinder to the environment 😊.
Table of Contents
1 – COMPOSTABLE, RECYCLABLE and BIODEGRADABLE EASTER EGGS Options
Embracing eco friendly Easter celebrations starts with choosing the right eggs! Below are alternative Easter eggs ideas. Some are compostable, others are recyclable and I also added biodegradable Easter egg options.
Papier Mâché Eggs (paper-mache)
Papier-mâché eggs are a wonderful way to celebrate Easter sustainably! This Easter eggs alternative, made from recycled paper and a simple adhesive mixture, is compostable AND a blank canvas for creativity 🎨!
Materials Needed:
- Recycled paper or old newspaper
- Natural or plant-based dyes (see below)
- Paintbrushes or sponges
- Wheat flour
- Water
- Round object to use as molds (egg cartons, Christmas balls, rocks, plastic or wooden egg from your attic or something – yes because we aren’t buying those anymore!)
- Eco-Friendly Paste Recipe:
Mix 1 part wheat flour to 2 parts water until you achieve a smooth consistency similar to pancake batter.
For a standard batch, you might use 1 cup of flour and 2 cups of water. Add a pinch of salt.
To get rid of lumps and help the consistency, get your mixture on a stove top, lightly heat the mixture while stirring continuously.
Once the texture looks right to you (some like it runny while others prefer it thicker), you can let it cool.
Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 1 week!
Steps:
1. Create or Find the Mold:
Shape or find a mold for your Easter eggs. This could be a Christmas ball, a rounded rock, an old plastic or wooden egg.
2. Make the Paste:
Follow the above recipe for your eco-friendly paste.
3. Prepare the Paper:
Tear your recycled paper into 1-inch wide strips.
4. Paper-Mâché:
Dip the paper strips into the paste, remove the excess by running it between your fingers, and smooth over your mold. Cover with 2-3 layers.
5. Drying Time:
Allow the first layer to dry for at least 4-6 hours in a well-ventilated area. For additional layers, apply them after the first layer is touch-dry, allowing a further 4-6 hours drying time between layers.
6. Complete Drying:
After the final layer, let the paper-mâché dry for a full 24 hours, or until it’s hard and dry to the touch. In humid climates, this could take longer.
7. Decorate:
Paint your dried Easter eggs with natural or plant-based dyes. Allow the paint to dry, which could take 1-2 hours depending on the type of paint and the thickness of the application.
8. Seal (Optional):
If you opt to seal the painted eggs, use a natural wax or a homemade glaze from diluted corn starch, and let it set for an additional hour.
This activity not only reduces waste but also provides a fun, hands-on experience for the whole family! 🥚🖌️
Natural Fiber Eggs
Another great alternative Easter eggs option is to pick natural fiber instead of recycled (or upcycled) paper!
All you just learnt with the Papier Mâché method is applicable to this Natural Fiber DIY project! The only difference is: we are swapping the paper for natural fibers!
So, you will need:
- Your Eco-friendly Paste (this is our natural adhesive)
- A mold (as we stated before, make it eco-friendly or upcycle old egg-shaped items!)
- The plant-based material of your choosing, such as: jute or hemp…
Follow the steps from the Papier Mâché and use the natural fiber you picked instead of the paper strips.
Edible Easter Eggs
For healthy and eco friendly Easter eggs, consider making yummy edible Eggs! You can make the shells edible and fill with toys or treats, or make the entire egg edible. 100% Edible eggs are without a doubt the most biodegradable Easter eggs option 👀…
The Happy Pear have a great tutorial on their YouTube channel, so I will simply link it below for you to follow easily!
For the vegan chocolate chips, I suggest Pascha’s Organic Baking Chips 🤎!
2 – NATURAL DYE TECHNIQUES for VIBRANT ECO FRIENDLY EASTER EGGS
This section is dedicated to natural dye techniques to decorate your eco friendly Easter eggs!
We’ll see how we can create a beautiful palette of colors without the environmental footprint of synthetic dyes, thanks to simple kitchen ingredients!
Application is simple: use a regular paintbrush.
Turmeric for Golden Yellows
→ mix a tablespoon of turmeric powder with just enough water to create a paste
→ add a few drops of vinegar to help the color set
Beet Juice for Deep Reds
→ combine 1 cup of beet juice with a tablespoon of vinegar
Blueberry for Soft Blues
→ crush 1 cup of blueberries
→ add 1 cup of water
→ strain
→ mix with 1 tablespoon of vinegar
Spinach or Kale for Vibrant Greens
→ blend 1 cup of spinach or kale with 1 cup of water
→ strain
→ add 1 tablespoon of vinegar
Onion skins for rich Oranges
→ simmer onion skins (from about 4 to 5 onions) in 2 cups of water for 30 minutes
→ strain
→ mix in 1 tablespoon of vinegar
Coffee or Tea for Natural Browns
→ brew 1 cup of strong coffee or tea
→ cool
→ mix with 1 tablespoon of vinegar
Article you might 💚: 11 Best Sustainable Gifts for Him (2024 updated)
3 – ECO FRIENDLY EASTER BASKET IDEAS
Let’s now talk about the innovative and green alternatives to traditional Easter baskets! We’ll see how to assemble charming Easter baskets that reduce waste, promote recycling / upcycling, and ensure a guilt-free holiday for everyone 💚!
Sustainable Woven Baskets
It’s always best to upcycle what you have at home. However, if you don’t have anything resembling a basket or with the potential to be turned into a basket, I highly suggest you to check out Made Trade’s baskets 😊!
They have a MASSIVE collection! They’re vegan, ethically sourced, woman owned & sustainable 💚.
Here is a tiny sneak peek at their beautiful options ⇣
Reusable Fabric Basket Liners
When it comes to the lining of your basket, the most eco-friendly approach is to use fabric you already have.
As we know, unwanted clothes mostly end up in landfills abroad… Americans generate 16 million tons of textile waste a year! One way to contribute to reducing textile waste is by upcycling first!
Easter is the perfect opportunity for you to go through your unwanted clothes pile and grab your scissors to shape pretty basket liners, ribbons and creative Easter decor!
Be sure to keep your upcycled creations to reuse for the next year and other holidays! ♻️
DIY Grass from Paper
Let’s avoid plastic grass at all cost! Let’s also leave actual grass alone 🌿😊. Instead, you can upcycle paper you have laying around at home, or pick up some recycled paper.
This could make up for a fun DIY! All you have to do is cut the paper into thin strips. You can then paint the paper grass with the previous natural dye methods suggested 🖌️.
Seedling Pots
Another cute eco friendly Easter basket idea is to use seedling pots! They make for the most adorable mini baskets 😊.
In the photo below, a wire was used, but I personally prefer the idea of using upcycled cloth for the handle!
All you’d need to do is to cut the fabric into a thin strap, gently pierce two holes on each side of the pot to let the strap through and then secure it with a knot!
Once Easter is over, you can then use the little fiber pots as they were originally intended and truly honor the whole idea behind Easter: Renewal! 🌱✨
4 – VEGAN SUSTAINABLE EASTER TREATS and DECOR
I already mentioned a few alternative Easter eggs options as well as biodegradable easter eggs. That being said, I also wanted to suggest a couple of good vegan and sustainable chocolate brands 🍫.
Bonus: recycled material Easter bunnies for a home decor on theme 🐰!
Vegan Chocolate Brands
Evolved Chocolate (previously Eating Evolved) takes a revolutionary approach to chocolate, operating under the guiding principle “Chocolate: It’s Food, Not Candy“!
The brand stands out by offering products that are gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, refined sugar-free, and fully embrace both paleo and vegan diets!
By focusing on simple, organic ingredients like cacao, coconut sugar, and cacao butter, Evolved Chocolate delivers chocolate that’s not only delicious but also aligns with a whole-food, health-conscious lifestyle 💖(perfect)!
Plus, their partnership with the Rainforest Alliance ensures that their cocoa is sourced from farms practicing sustainable agriculture, further solidifying their commitment to environmental and social standards 🌍✨!
Pascha Chocolate stands out for its commitment to purity and sustainability. The brand ensures their products are free from top allergens and crafted in an allergen-free facility.
With a strong focus on environmental stewardship, Pascha’s offerings are USDA Organic, Vegan, UTZ certified, and part of the 1% For The Planet network, making their chocolates a guilt-free indulgence for those who prioritize health and the environment 😊!
Recycled Material Easter Bunnies
Here’s a simple and enjoyable DIY guide to making your own Easter bunnies, ensuring your celebration is both eco-friendly and creative!
Materials Needed:
- Old socks or fabric scraps
- Scissors
- Rice or beans
- Thread and needle
- Buttons or beads for eyes
- Pins
- Recycled or upcycled paper
- Optional: fabric paint, ribbons for decoration
Steps:
1. Prepare the Body:
If using socks, choose 1 to be the bunny’s body. Fill it with your stuffing material (rice, beans) to give it shape.
2. Form the Head:
Secure the stuffing by tying off a section at the top with thread or a rubber band to form the head.
3. Add the tail:
Scrunch up a piece of recycled paper so it looks rounded and fluffy, pin it in place!
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3. Make the Ears:
Cut the excess material above the tie into 2 sections to create the ears. Shape them as desired and stitch any raw edges if necessary.
4. Add the Face:
Sew on buttons or beads for eyes. You can stitch a nose and mouth with thread or use fabric paint for facial features.
5. Decorate:
Personalize your bunny with ribbons around its neck as a bowtie or scarf!
An image will be shared right here once my own is made 😊! Check back later ⏳
5 – ECO CONSCIOUS EASTER ACTIVITIES
We’ve covered alternative Easter eggs ideas, treats and decor – now, onto the group activities!
Easter Egg Painting
Instead of painting the eggs and putting up ALL the decor before Easter, reserve some for a fun group activity!
This approach not only spreads out the festive excitement but also fosters a sense of community and togetherness 🤗…
Easter-themed Upcycling DIY
A great way to celebrate Easter is to contribute positively to our ecosystem. A fantastic idea to explore is creating a bird feeder from upcycled materials 🐦🤍!
This project is not only a fun and creative activity but also serves as an excellent opportunity to encourage kids to care for wildlife!
Picnic with a Purpose
This is my favorite activity idea for Easter: have a picnic where you can clean up the area! It’s a great opportunity to teach kids (and adults!) about littering and respect for nature.
Enjoying the beauty of nature while encouraging to give back is, in my opinion, aligning with the Easter spirit ✨🐰!
FAQ: Eco Friendly Easter Eggs
Why Plant-Based Plastic Eggs aren’t included in your Eco Friendly Easter Eggs options?
“Plant-Based Plastic Eggs” might not be as eco-friendly as they seem at first glance…
As of today, plant-based plastic isn’t the best solution as it is a little more complicated than it appears to be…
Plant-Based plastic is a type of bioplastic. Unfortunately, the label “plant-based” only means that 20% of the ingredients are guaranteed to be renewable and organic… The remaining 80% can be non-biodegradable and made of fossil fuels.
Additionally, depending on the specific type of bioplastic and local recycling capabilities, they may not be compostable at home and could require industrial composting facilities to break down properly. If not properly disposed of they might not break down as intended, potentially leading to pollution… Not to mention that some bioplastic are non-biodegradable…
Eco Friendly Easter Eggs Guide: Last Words…
I hope this Eco Friendly Easter Eggs Guide sparked some inspiration!
I would love to hear your thoughts!
⇣ Share your eco-friendly Easter experiences or plans below 😊
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