• The Kane County Division of Environmental and Water Resources and Kane County Connects are “Counting Down to Earth Day” with a series of articles on “Going Green” in 2019. This article was contributed by Resource Management Coordinator Jessica Mino.
  

Time to prepare for Easter and enjoy the holiday while still being kind to the Earth. Particularly as we begin to enjoy the spring flowers, morning bird choir, and greenery!

Here are a few tips for keeping your Easter sustainable:

Easter Eggs

Buying

The first step is to consider the packaging that your eggs come in, as mentioned in our previous Countdown to Earth Day article “Why Recycling Alone Can’t Fix Plastic Pollution.”

Skip the Styrofoam and plastic cartons. Many brands offer responsibly produced eggs in full cardboard cartons that are recyclable and biodegradable.

Dyeing

Try natural dye made from other foods and spices. You will avoid having to buy the boxed kit, while showing your kids the importance of reducing consumption.

This option is safer for the environment (avoiding chemical dyes poured down the drain afterward) and your family’s health (the people who eat the eggs afterward — and “sometimes” get dye on their fingers when coloring eggs!)

Here are a list of natural household ingredients that can make your favorite colors:

• Purple: Grape Juice
• Yellow: Boiled orange or lemon peels or turmeric
• Blue: Blueberries or boiled red cabbage leaves
• Green: Boiled spinach leaves
• Pink: Cranberries, raspberries or beets
• Red: Pomegranate juice

Find out more on how to naturally color your Easter eggs.

If you do buy plastic eggs, please save them for years to come

Easter Baskets

Filling

Just like other holidays, go for experiences over items. Things like admission to a local park, zoo, sporting event, or the movies.

If you really must give toys, be conscious about what they are made from and how they are packaged, as I mentioned earlier in this series.

The biggest thing is to avoid buying those seasonal nik-naks that will be discarded the week after. Opt for things that will be used for a long time.

For adults, gift a potted plant or seeds that they can enjoy all year long.

Bedding

Steer clear of the plastic grass. Let me reiterate that — steer clear of the plastic grass.

Paper grass looks just as beautiful while having the added benefit of being biodegradable. You can easily make this yourself to save a few dollars while you are at it.

Baskets

Again, try avoiding plastic baskets, opting for wooden or wicker that you can still reuse year after year.

Thrift stores are full of baskets so no need to buy a new one. The eco-friendly option is also the cheapest option here.

Or nest the Easter treats within another useful gift, such as: an upside down umbrella, rain boots, a flower pot, or a glass jar. Time to get creative!

Happy Easter from Sustain Kane!

Read The Countdown to Earth Day Series!

• No. 16: Introduction to Earth Day — Let’s Focus on Working Together! (Jessica Mino)
• No. 15: Stop Volcano Mulching! It Does More Harm Than Good! (Valerie Blaine)
• No. 14: Slow Down! We’ve Got Turtles Crossing Here! (Pam Otto)
• No. 13: Check Out Kane County’s Not-So-Secret, Totally Awesome Sustainable Transportation (Ryan Peterson and Troy Simpson)
• No. 12: Fires Erupting All Over Kane County This April (Rob Linke)
• No. 11: How To Inspire Your Kids To Love Their River (Meghan Yancey and Jenni Schiavone)
• No. 10: New Incentives Could Get You 60% Off Solar Installation (Christina Uzzo)
• No. 9: Kane Makes History — First Illinois County To Adopt Greenest Region Compact (Jessica Mino)
• No. 8: Easter Recycling! What To Do With Egg Cartons And Candy Wrappers (Jennifer Jarland)
• No. 7: Help Keep The Crud Out Of Stormsewers (Anne Wilford)
• No. 6: Recycling Plastics — What’s a ‘Tub,’ And How Do I Recycling It? (Jennifer Jarland)
• No. 5: Why Recycling Alone Can’t Fix Plastics Problem (Jessica Mino)
• No. 4: Freebies! Discounts! Rebates! Plenty of Incentives To ‘Go Green’ in 2019 (Karen Miller)
• No. 3: How To Enjoy an Eco-Friendly Easter