Easter can be a time for indulging in chocolate eggs and other delicious things, but the treats enjoyed can bring more than their fair share of waste with them.
On average 80 million Easter eggs are sold in the UK each year and over 8,000 tonnes of waste is generated just from packaging and cards over the Easter period.
Food waste also rises as families meet to celebrate Easter.
A Worcestershire County Council spokesperson said: “We want people to enjoy Easter but to try and do so without generating unnecessary waste.
We have provided some ‘cracking’ tips to help people to reduce their waste and recycling this Easter and all information can be found on our website.”
Worcestershire County Council’s top tips include:
- recycle as much you can; cardboard packaging around eggs can be recycled in your green bin, foil wrapping can be recycled at a Household Recycling Centre, plastic packaging that contains the eggs can also be recycled in your green bin
- sweet wrappers: contained within eggs should go in your black bin
- food waste: With the average family throwing away over £700 worth of perfectly edible food each year, advice on food waste reduction and recipes for leftovers can all be found at www.lovefoodhatewaste.com
- buy wisely: how about buying flower or vegetable seeds instead of an Easter egg
- If you want to give an egg look for ones with minimal plastic or why not make your own?
- send an e-card: save paper by sending an electronic greeting to friends and family.
- If you do opt for a traditional card, ensure it does not have any glitter or bows on it as this means it cannot be recycled
- after Easter, ensure your recyclable cards make it into your green bin
For more waste reduction information, visit the Let's Waste Less website.