Easter traditions include eating bunny-shaped chocolates, dyeing Easter eggs the colors of the rainbow, and—of course—egg hunts. While these festivities are fun for the whole family, it’s no secret that this holiday can come with an increase in waste—especially thanks to the plastic Easter eggs that are filled with sweet treats.
Because store-bought Easter eggs are plastic, many people think they can be recycled with other types of plastic recycling. However, that’s not the case: Plastic Easter eggs can’t be recycled. So if we can’t recycle them, what are we supposed to do with them? And is it more eco-friendly for us to dye real eggs instead?
You have questions, and we have answers. Here’s everything you need to know about Easter eggs—and what to do with them when the holiday ends.
Can You Recycle Plastic Easter Eggs?
You’ll have to check with your local recycling facility to discover whether you can send those plastic eggs in with the rest of your household recycling. However, most facilities don’t accept plastic Easter eggs. Instead, they advise disposing of them in the regular trash instead.
According to Lincoln California Recycling & Garbage, plastic Easter eggs can’t be recycled, and some may contain lead paint and Bisphenol A, or BPA—a harmful chemical that is notorious for negatively impacting human health.
Plus, plastic Easter eggs are small, which means they could hinder the sorting process at recycling facilities. They can get caught in machinery, or they’ll get filtered out completely. So even if you do put plastic eggs in your bin hoping for the best, they won’t get recycled the way you think they will.
If you’re about to throw away your plastic, be sure to check the packaging for a recycling symbol or a number label that tells you exactly which type of plastic the egg is—and how it can be disposed of. And when in doubt, throw it out. But to avoid this unnecessary waste, try using real eggs instead or repurposing the plastic eggs you already own.
Is Dyeing Real Eggs Eco-Friendly?
Coloring real eggs is a more sustainable alternative to plastic options. When using real, hard-boiled eggs, you can eat the inside! However, it’s important to note that there are still ethical and environmental downsides to the egg industry, and we’ve yet to find vegan hard-boiled eggs.
You can also compost the eggshells, food coloring and all. Coloring Easter eggs may actually be zero-waste, and now we have an even more eco-friendly option for you to try.
Featured in the Brightly Shop is a Plastic-Free Egg-Coloring and Grass-Growing Kit. As the name says, this kit doesn’t include plastic. Instead, it includes organic materials. Specifically, the dyes in this eco-friendly kit are made from all-natural organic fruit and vegetable extracts!
But wait: There’s more. This kit also includes grass-growing seeds, a set of instructions, and coconut-husk soil, so you and your kids can display your colorful eggs on a patch of homegrown green grass.
And again, the eggshells can be composted in your at-home compost bin. Choosing a plastic-free and zero-waste option will help you and your family decrease your carbon footprints this Easter. But if you still have those plastic eggs lying around, here’s what to do with them instead.
What to Do With Plastic Easter Eggs
1. Reuse Plastic Eggs
If you already have a pack of these rainbow-colored plastic eggs, keep them for next year! Chances are, you’ll be hiding them around the house for years to come. You might as well save them to reuse. That way, you won’t have to buy a new pack in a year and you won’t be sending the used eggs to the landfill.
2. Donate Plastic Eggs
Not planning on hosting an Easter egg hunt next year? Give your plastic eggs to someone who is! Whether that means donating your pack of plastic Easter eggs to a local thrift store or charity or simply passing them on to someone you know, you’ll be giving your eggs a new home where they can be reused for years to come.
3. Use Plastic Eggs for a DIY or Craft
Another great way to avoid throwing plastic eggs in the trash is to upcycle them! You can use plastic eggs for several creative DIYs, including handmade ornaments or an egg wreath. Get creative! These projects not only upcycle items that would have gone to waste, but they’re also fun for the whole family.