How to Host a Waste-Free Easter: Simple Swaps for a More Sustainable holiday
Published on 3/10/25
Written by Jessica Colla
Easter is a time of renewal, joy, and—if we're not careful—a LOT of plastic waste. Between plastic eggs, candy wrappers, and disposable decorations, it’s easy to see how this holiday can leave behind more than just happy memories.
But … what if we could celebrate Easter without the waste? As a marine scientist and conservation advocate, I’m always looking for ways to reduce my impact on the planet—especially when it comes to protecting our oceans from plastic pollution! Luckily, having an eco-friendly Easter doesn’t mean sacrificing fun; it just means making smarter, more sustainable choices. From zero-waste egg hunts to plastic-free treats, here are some easy and creative ways to make your Easter celebration both festive and Earth-friendly!
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1. Waste-free Easter Baskets
A traditional Easter basket often means a flimsy plastic container filled with even more plastic—from fake grass to individually wrapped candies. Instead, why not opt for something reusable and sustainable?
✨ Choose a Reusable Basket – Swap out plastic buckets for woven baskets, fabric totes, or even a repurposed wooden crate. If you already have plastic baskets from previous years, keep using them rather than tossing them out!
✨ Skip the Fake Grass – That neon-green plastic grass is an environmental nightmare (hello, microplastics!). Instead, fill baskets with shredded “crinkle” paper, fabric scraps or cloth napkins, or even dried moss grass for a more natural touch.
✨ Go DIY – Upcycle old materials into a one-of-a-kind, reusable gift basket. A small canvas bag, tin pail, or even a bucket hat can make an adorable Easter “basket” that’s both creative and waste-free.
2. Plastic-Free Easter Egg hunts
The Easter egg hunt is a highlight of the holiday, but let’s face it—those plastic eggs are everywhere! They crack easily, get lost for months (or even years!) in backyards, and too often end up in landfills … or worse, the ocean. Instead, try these sustainable egg hunt ideas:
🥚 Real Eggs with Natural Dyes – If you enjoy dyeing eggs, use real eggs and natural dyes made from turmeric, red cabbage, beets, or onion skins. They’re biodegradable, beautiful, and completely waste-free! (Theyʻre even edible when hardboiled before dyeing - but donʻt eat them after a long day in the sun!)
🥚 Wooden or Fabric Eggs – Reusable wooden eggs can be painted and decorated each year, while soft felt eggs are a fun, craft-friendly alternative. Check out these hollow wooden eggs on Amazon, a perfect plastic alternative that can still hold tasty treats!
🥚 DIY Paper-Mâché Eggs – Get creative and DIY your own compostable paper-mâché eggs, which can also be filled with small treats or handwritten notes.
🥚 Token Hunt Instead of Eggs – Instead of the traditional Easter egg hunt, hide wooden coins, marbles, or handwritten clues that kids can exchange for prizes (like small toys, experiences, or extra treats). This keeps the hunt exciting without creating waste!
3. Sweet Treats Without the Trash
Easter is synonymous with chocolate, marshmallows and other sweet treats, but all that plastic packaging can add up. The good news? You can still indulge in delicious Easter goodies while keeping waste to a minimum!
🍫 Buy Bulk Candy – Instead of purchasing pre-packaged treats, head to the bulk section of your local store and fill a reusable container with chocolates, jelly beans, gummies or dried fruit. Bonus points if you can completely avoid individually-wrapped goodies! (Think M&Mʻs or Whoppers in cardboard or a glass jar of Jelly Beans)
🍪 Make Your Own Treats – Homemade Easter goodies like chocolate bunnies, carrot cake, custom cookies, or peanut butter eggs are not only delicious but also completely package-free. Making them is also a fun family activity to really round out the holiday!
🎁 Wrap Smart – Instead of disposable plastic wrappers, swap them out with reusable cookie tins, glass jars, fabric pouches, or even parchment paper to package your treats in a sustainable way. I love the creativity of people on Pinterest!
🌍 Support Ethical Brands – Look for Fair Trade and organic chocolates or treats from brands that prioritize sustainability and ethical sourcing. Extra kudos if you find brands that directly contribute to ocean conservation, like KU'IA Chocolate, who supports whale research in Hawai’i!
4. Beyond the Candy: Eco-Friendly Easter Gifts
Did you know … Easter baskets don’t have to be all about candy?! Consider alternative gifts this Easter that are fun, meaningful, and eco-friendly. Extra kudos if you find products or activities that directly contribute to environmental conservation!
🎟 Experiences Over Things – Give the gift of adventure with a visit to an aquarium, zoo, museum, arboretum, nature reserve, or wildlife sanctuary. You can even make a cute, handmade “voucher” for the activity to put in your Easter basket, like this cute idea!
📚 Sustainable Clothes, Toys & Books – Choose Easter clothes, wooden toys, themed books, or educational kits that inspire a love for nature. To stay on theme for the holiday, check out this adorable book about Easter at the Ocean! “Too old” for toys? No problem! Check out this 4Ocean bracelet or these Conscious Step socks!
🎨 DIY Crafts – Handmade gifts like beeswax candles, Easter-themed art, or homemade bath products make thoughtful and zero-waste Easter surprises. My go-to is this DIY sugar scrub recipe!
5. Decorate with Nature, Not Plastic
Easter decorations don’t need to be plastic-heavy, store-bought items that get tossed after one use. Instead, try these eco-friendly decoration ideas:
🌿 Use Natural Elements – Decorate with fresh flowers, leaves, moss, rocks, or wooden accents instead of plastic bunnies, fake grass and synthetic garlands. Besides, I love the realistic “woodland” vibe, like these adorable spring tablescapes and centerpieces by A Hundred Affections!
🎨 DIY & Upcycled Decor – Create your own fabric bunting, paper garlands, or egg carton crafts using materials you already have at home. This is also great for your wallet … decorations can be SO expensive!
🕯 Compostable Centerpieces – Arrange potted plants, beeswax candles, and dyed eggs for a beautiful, waste-free table setting. If you're clever, these decor pieces can be relevant all season long!
🛍 Thrift It! – Give pre-loved holiday décor a second life (and decorate on a budget!) by checking out second-hand stores, thrift shops, or buy-nothing groups for gently used Easter decorations. You’d be surprised how many adorable spring-themed items are donated each year. Plus, the thrill of the treasure hunt is half the fun!
6. Waste-Free Easter Fun: Sustainable Activities
Looking for eco-friendly Easter activities? Try these nature-based and zero-waste ideas:
🐰 Nature Scavenger Hunt – Instead of a traditional egg hunt, challenge kids to find natural treasures like flowers, pinecones, or seashells. (Psssttt … remember to put the treasures back afterwards!)
🎨 DIY Crafting – Make recycled paper Easter cards, plantable seed paper, or Easter-inspired art projects. And of course, the traditional Easter family-favorite … dyed eggs!
🌱 Plant a Mini Garden – Start an herb garden, pollinator wildflower patch, veggie bed or tree sapling as a fun, hands-on Easter tradition. Plus, you reap the benefits of your garden all summer long! No space for a garden? Go with a bouquet of flowers instead!
A Greener Easter, One Small Change at a Time
Celebrating Easter without plastic waste isn’t just better for the planet—it’s a chance to create new traditions that are more meaningful, creative, and sustainable. Whether it’s swapping plastic eggs for wooden ones, baking treats from scratch, or giving experiences instead of toys, every small change makes a difference.
And here’s the best part: the more we embrace waste-free celebrations, the more we inspire others to do the same! So this Easter, let’s skip the plastic, enjoy the moment, and show a little extra love for our planet.
Did I miss something? Share your eco-friendly Easter ideas below.
💙🌿🐰 Happy (Waste-Free) Easter! 🐰🌿💙
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Hop into a greener holiday with these creative tips for a waste-free Easter! From plastic-free egg hunts and zero-waste treats to sustainable gifts and nature-inspired decorations, this guide is packed with fun, ocean-friendly ideas that keep the planet (and your Easter basket) happy. Written by environmental scientist Jessica Colla, this blog helps you celebrate sustainably—without sacrificing the fun!