We love celebrating Easter with bunny-shaped chocolates, colorful eggs, and scavenger hunts in the yard. But what we don’t love is the abundant waste that comes with holiday festivities. Fortunately, this year you can celebrate Easter the eco-friendly way.

No matter how you and your loved ones celebrate Easter, here are eight ways to make the holiday more sustainable. From eliminating food waste to making natural Easter egg dyes, we’ve got your celebration covered.

8 Eco-Friendly Easter Tips for a Sustainable Celebration

1. Opt for Ethical, Low-Waste Candy and Chocolate

One of the best parts about the holidays is the grocery aisles filled with candies and chocolates. However, most of the candy and chocolates in the holiday section of the grocery store come packaged in plastic.

If you’re filling your Easter baskets with something sweet, be sure to look for low-waste, ethically made goodies. This means opting for Fair Trade chocolate or chocolate that was produced with the environment and the workers in mind.

To shop for sustainable sweets, check the label. We recommend looking for Fair Trade Certified, organic, and non-GMO labels. Two great brands to start with are Alter Eco and Endangered Species Chocolate.

2. Look for Recyclable or Compostable Packaging

Contrary to popular belief, most candy wrappers actually can’t be recycled. They may contain a mix of materials such as plastics and aluminum.

Even though there may be a little recycling symbol on the packaging, the wrappers often get sent to the landfill. To have a low-waste holiday, look for options that are recyclable or compostable.

If you’re not sure where to begin on your zero-waste journey, but you still want to have delicious treats for the holiday, check out Trupo Treats. At Trupo Treats, the chocolates are cruelty-free and vegan, and the sweets come in compostable wrappers.

3. Ditch the Plastic Grass

We love the Easter Bunny, but it’s true the grass in the Easter Bunny’s basket isn’t sustainable. This year, you can opt for a more eco-friendly filler for Easter baskets. One way to do this is to use shredded paper.

Because shredded paper is hard to recycle, get creative to keep it out of the trash. Reuse the thin pieces of paper as the base of your Easter baskets. And if you don’t have shredded paper accumulating, check with your local library or school to see if these establishments have any leftovers. And when you’re done with the shredded paper, be sure to compost it.

4. Swap Plastic Eggs for Paper Eggs

Plastic eggs are fun, colorful, and affordable—but they don’t last. Once they break, you can’t recycle them. Why? Because most plastic Easter eggs contain lead paint and Bisphenol A, or BPA. Plus, many recycling facilities will turn them away, as they can get stuck in the recycling machinery and wreak havoc on the recycling process. So it’s likely your plastic Easter eggs will end up in the landfill.

Instead, try Fillable Paper Easter Eggs. Paper eggs are biodegradable, so they won’t contribute to landfill waste like plastic eggs. And you can still fill them with treats, just like the plastic options.

Plus, if you love decorating eggs with your kiddos, you’re in luck: Paper eggs are easily customizable, so you and your family can enjoy an Easter-themed craft—without the plastic waste.

5. Limit Food Waste from Eggs

If you’re dyeing hard-boiled eggs with natural dyes, don’t toss them in the trash afterward. According to the U.S.Department of Agriculture (USDA), they’re safe to consume so long as you don’t leave them out of the refrigerator for more than two hours. If you do your family’s Easter egg hunt in a timely manner, you’re good to go!

But what about the shells? Compost them! Eggshells are a great source of calcium and essential nutrients, so they make a great addition to your kitchen compost bin.

Additionally, if you’re buying eggs, be sure to opt for the most ethical and sustainable option. Look for a Certified Humane label or Animal Welfare Approved label to ensure animals are never caged and are fed a high-quality diet. You can even support small businesses by shopping at your local farmers’ market. Check out our guide on how to decode egg carton labels for more details.

6. Dye Easter Eggs with Food Scraps

Yes, you can naturally dye your Easter eggs using food scraps. It’s easy, too: You simply bring water to a boil and add your food scraps of choice, based on the color you want. Check out our guide for the best foods to use for all your favorite colors. For example, you can get pink dye from avocado skins and pits or chopped beats.

If you’re still not sure where to begin, we have a solution. Try this Plastic-Free Egg-Coloring and Grass-Growing Kit! The dyes are made from all-natural organic fruit and vegetable extracts. It’s non-toxic and even comes with grass-growing seeds and coconut-husk soil. That’s right: You and your family can grow your own grass. It sprouts in just 48 hours!

7. Thrift for an Easter Basket and Decor

Instead of buying new Easter baskets and holiday decor, head to your nearest thrift store. Shopping secondhand is actually one of the most sustainable ways to be a consumer—other than not consuming at all. If you’re in need of a new Easter basket and can’t reuse one you already have, be sure to shop at thrift stores.

You’re bound to find beautiful basket options, vintage decorations, and even some fun additions to toss in the baskets. Plus, your findings are completely unique, so you won’t have the same decorations as everyone else.

8. Gift Sustainable Swaps

Making an Easter basket for your kids is fun, and it puts a smile on their faces! But Easter baskets aren’t just for kids—they can be for adults, too. Swap toys and games for grownup-approved sustainable swaps that can be used around the house.

To find additions for your adult-friendly sustainable Easter basket, be sure to check out the Brightly Shop. Some of our favorites include a rechargeable lighter, a reusable silicone baking mat, and a set of handblown wine glasses.

Each of these products can replace something unsustainable. Swap your butane lighter for a rechargeable one to eliminate toxins and plastic packaging. Use your reusable silicone baking mat instead of parchment paper for zero-waste baking. And check out our guide for clean, sustainable wine to pair with your new recycled glass wine glasses.