At this time of year supermarket shelves are lined with chocolate eggs which often come in layers of plastic and cardboard packaging.
Neath Port Talbot Council has teamed up with Waste Awareness Wales to come up with some top tips for keeping the packaging waste from your Easter treats to a minimum.
Mike Roberts, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Head of Streetcare said: “An estimated 80 million chocolate eggs are bought in the UK each year and unfortunately the majority of these eggs come packaged in an excessive amount of cardboard and plastic. While we don’t want to deny chocoholics a sweet treat, we would like to ask people to be mindful of the amount of packaging waste that shop-bought eggs create.
“Large chocolate eggs have become the traditional way of celebrating, but chocolate bunnies or smaller eggs are much better for the environment as they usually come wrapped in just a layer of foil. They taste just as good and you’ll be doing your bit for the environment. Small eggs can be hidden around the house for an Easter morning hunt which will make the day more exciting, too.
“If you do end up buying large eggs that come packaged in cardboard and plastic, make sure you recycle the packaging.
“Of course if you want to be really eco-friendly you could make your own Easter treats. Chocolate rice crispy cakes are fun and easy to do with children, and you’ll get twice the satisfaction knowing that they’re better for the environment. This is also a delicious way of using up any leftover chocolate that wouldn’t otherwise be eaten.”
Here are some more tips for having a waste free Easter from Waste Awareness Wales:
If you’re cooking a big lunch for family and friends, make sure all of the vegetable peelings and any leftovers go into your food waste bin.
Why not send an e-greeting instead of cards this year? It’s just as thoughtful but doesn’t produce any waste.
Leftover hot cross buns make an extra special bread and butter pudding with fruit and fresh cream custard.
For further information on how to reduce, reuse and recycle, and to find your nearest recycling centre visit the Waste Awareness Wales website on www.wasteawarenesswales.org.uk
