How to Make Your Easter Green

Easter is a great time to slow down, enjoy time with your people, and soak up the beauty of spring. It can also be a good chance to make more eco-friendly choices without a lot of extra effort or expense. Most of us are already doing some version of the usual traditions, so it doesn’t take much to shift a few of those habits toward something a little gentler on the planet.

You don’t need to be a master crafter to celebrate Easter more sustainably. Even just rethinking what you put in the basket can make a big difference. Instead of filling it with a bunch of plastic-wrapped candy or dollar store toys that get tossed out next week, you could make a small batch of homemade cookies or trail mix and package them in paper bags or small jars. If you’re short on time, buying from a local bakery, which we have many of here in Dalton, cuts down on shipping waste and supports local businesses. You could also sprinkle in some little items that last longer like seed packets or handwritten coupons for special outings.

You can also swap out the usual plastic eggs for something more lasting. Painted wooden eggs or hollowed real eggshells are lovely, especially if you enjoy a little crafting. Or, you can make the hunt more about the activity itself. Hide clues around the yard leading to one larger final gift. If you already own plastic eggs and want to keep using them, that’s fine too. Just make sure to gather them all up after the hunt and store them for next year.

When it comes to decorations, try using what you already have or things that can be composted, reused, or recycled. Fresh flowers from the yard, branches, and greenery look beautiful on the table. A bowl of dyed eggs or a basket with a fabric liner you reuse every year feels festive without being wasteful. If you are serving a meal, think about ways to use the food as decoration. Serving the carrots in a unique way with their bright orange coloring or baking some bread in the shape of a bunny has been popular in recent years.

Natural egg dyes are a beautiful and surprisingly easy way to lean into eco-friendly Easter fun. Red cabbage makes a pretty blue color, turmeric creates yellow, and beets or berries give lovely pinks and purples. You can boil the ingredients, strain the water, and soak the eggs overnight for rich, earthy tones. It turns something ordinary into a shared project, especially if you have kids or guests joining in.

You could also use the week leading up to Easter as a chance to declutter and donate. Go through old toys, books, or clothes with your kids and talk about how the things they no longer need could be appreciated by someone else. It’s a great way to connect the values of generosity and renewal to the holiday. Turning the holiday into something that gives back can make it feel more meaningful and memorable, and it teaches younger kids that traditions can include kindness to others and care for the planet at the same time.

One of the easiest ways to make Easter greener is to shift the focus from stuff to time together. After church or brunch, spend time outside. Take a walk, clean up litter in the area, or have a picnic.

Easter is already a holiday tied to renewal and new beginnings, so it’s a natural fit for conversations about taking care of the world around us. Even a few small changes can make your celebration feel more intentional, more connected to nature, and more rewarding.

     Amy Hartline is the recycling and education program coordinator for the Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority. Have a recycling question? Contact her at (706) 278-5001 or ahartline@dwswa.org.