How to recycle egg-cellently this Easter
Whether you gently tap it or go all out and smash it, these days it just wouldn’t be Easter without an iconic chocolate egg or two...or three. Let’s face it, who’s counting?
Unfortunately, our Easter chocolate fix brings with it a deluge of cardboard, plastic and foil packaging as manufacturers compete to catch shoppers’ attention in an increasingly competitive market.
Here are some tips to make your Easter more sustainable...
Packaging isn’t all it’s cracked up to be
When we throw something away it’s not just that item that goes to waste – it’s all the effort that went into making it, with environmental impacts at each stage.
With more than 13.4million chocolate eggs expected to be sold in Scotland, Easter egg packaging alone is expected to account for more than 2,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e).
That's like flying around the world a whopping 258 times, or the annual emissions for more than 1,000 cars. Food for thought!
Recycling your Easter egg packaging
Check the label for a general idea of what packaging can be recycled, but be aware these are not specific to your location and may cause confusion.
Our Recycling Sorter can help, with searchable information about what can be recycled in which colour of bin wherever you live in Scotland.
What to do with...
Paper and cardboard: remove any plastic windows, fold down and recycle with paper and card.
Foil: scrunch the whole family’s foil together to the size of a small ball, and recycle in the metals recycling bin.
Sweetie wrappers made of soft plastic can be recycled at home in some council areas, and many supermarkets now have collection bins in store.
Make your own: alternatives to shop-bought Easter activities
Forgo the packaging completely by making your own Easter eggs this year or trying out some egg-shaped home baking.
Reuse a wicker basket or canvas bag and give it an Easter makeover. Just remember to opt for something you can use year after year if you’re buying a basket.
Rethink your Easter egg hunt, by choosing wooden eggs or small stones that you could decorate yourself and update every year.
Instead of hunting for individually wrapped chocolate eggs give kids an Easter hunt that includes a map and clues to search for.
Have some fun with an egg and spoon race – just remember to eat your hard-boiled eggs afterwards and recycle your eggshells in your composter or food caddy.