How to Green Your Easter Celebration

April 10, 2009 RSS Feed Print
Just Born celebrates the 50th anniversary of Marshmallow Peeps candy

Just Born celebrates the 50th anniversary of Marshmallow Peeps candy

The White House is greening its Easter egg roll this year - and here are a few ways that you can, too:

The Eggs:

  • Aim for sustainable and cruelty-free. Here's a guide to deciphering egg packaging.
  • Buy eggs in biodegradable or recyclable cartons, instead of styrofoam.
  • Forego the pre-packaged egg-dyeing kits - it's easy to make your own egg dye. Here are some instructions - all you need are typical household ingredients such as food coloring, vinegar and hot water. To give the eggs a pattern, just draw on them with a regular crayon before you dip them in the dye.
  • When all of the eggs have been found, whip up a batch of deviled eggs or egg salad for everyone.
  • If you use plastic eggs for your hunt, save and reuse them every year.

The Candy:

  • Purchase candy that doesn't come with excess packaging.
  • Try organic, fair-trade chocolate.
  • Or, buy an egg- or bunny-shaped mold and teach your kids how to make their own Easter chocolate.
  •  If your marshmallow Peeps go stale, you don't need to pitch them, Instead, make "smeeps" - s'mores with marshmallow peeps. Serious Eats' Peeps Week offers other suggestions for the sugary confections, including how to make them from scratch.

The Decorations:

  • Save and reuse your baskets each year.
  • Instead of plastic Easter grass, make your own by putting old magazines or colorful paper through a shredder.
  • For a table centerpiece, use a potted plant instead of cut flowers - you'll be able to enjoy it for much longer. If you buy cut flowers, aim for local or organic.
  • Or, use your freshly-dyed eggs as a centerpiece in a beautiful bowl.

Bonus trivia: Did you know that Easter Sunday is frequently the day when Americans use the least energy all year?

Tags:
environment,
holidays

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Fresh Greens

Fresh Greens

Maura Judkis is a producer at U.S. News. She writes about the green movement and looks for ways to be an ecofriendly consumer without breaking the bank. Send her your green tips.

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