By PPC Staff
Spring holidays are here! But when did they become so wasteful? Do we really need plastic eggs, plastic baskets, plastic grass, and pounds and pounds of candy wrapped in plastic? Do we really need “disposable” dishes for a party? Check out our 25 ideas to make your celebration fun with no single-use plastic needed.
Plan Ahead
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Bring your own bags to the market. You can save 500-700 single-use plastic bags per year!
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Shop locally and buy unpackaged produce whenever possible.
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Serve meals on real dishes with reusable utensils and cloth napkins.
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Compost your food waste. More than 20 percent of America’s methane emissions come from landfills.
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Skip plastic decorations and use real flowers, potted plants, and fabric banners.
Skip “disposable” and use real dishes.
Avoid individually-wrapped pieces of candy and buy in bulk if possible.
Make beautiful felt eggs via Homestead Honey
Make palm oil free chocolate with only 4 ingredients.
Passover
A traditional seder plate includes: shank bone (zeroa), egg (beitzah), bitter herbs (maror), vegetable (karpas) and a sweet paste called haroset. Many seder plates also have room for a sixth, hazeret (another form of the bitter herbs).
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Shop for plastic-free produce at your local farmer’s market or food co-op. Aim to buy herbs and vegetables unpackaged and fresh horseradish to grate at home (or purchase in glass if not available fresh).
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Buy eggs locally if possible and in plastic-free packaging.
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Purchase a shank bone from the butcher and bring your own container or ask for it to be wrapped in paper.
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Make haroset yourself with apples and cinnamon.
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Encourage your synagogue to use real dishes for the seder meal.
Easter
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Choose wicker, wood, fabric, or bamboo over plastic for Easter baskets.
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Skip plastic faux grass in your Easter baskets and use raffia or shredded colored paper.
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Instead of plastic eggs make beautiful felt Easter eggs.
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Plan an Easter egg hunt with wooden eggs. Purchase wooden eggs from Amazon and paint with family and friends.
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Or use wooden nest eggs for reusable decorations.
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If coloring real eggs, use natural food dyes. Wrap your eggs with fern and other types of leaves using thread. Color your eggs, unwrap, and enjoy your natural rococo designs.
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Fill Easter baskets with books, clothes, or art supplies instead of cheap, plastic toys.
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Make bunny footprints! Use a small amount of flour on the floor or counter and create small bunny footprints with your fingertips leading up to the basket.
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DIY – If preparing lamb and mint jelly, make your own jelly!
Greek Easter
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Shop locally for fresh produce, eggs, vegetables, fish, meats, and poultry. Bring your own containers or ask for meat to be wrapped in paper.
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Prepare soup and foods in advance, so that when you get home after midnight service, you can warm and heat in oven on and stove top.
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Make the bread and hard boiled eggs at home that day or the day before. Lay a clean dishtowel over it to prevent drying out.
Treats and Sweets
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Make your own chocolate without palm oil.
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Buy candies and chocolates in bulk or wrapped in paper or foil.
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Choose treats in larger bags or boxes instead of individual wrappers.
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Make your own cake. Yum!
Make your festivities about the experience and less about the stuff. Sing, dance, tell stories, and celebrate with friends and family. Enjoy!
