It can be helpful to put a little thought into your celebrations can keep waste from multiplying like… well, bunnies. A simple plan helps you stay organized, save money, and keep the holiday feeling egg‑stra joyful.

Planning on hosting a party?

Start with a Pantry “Egg‑zam”

Before hopping to the store, peek into your pantry. You might already have more than you think, and it keeps you from buying things you don’t need.

Cook with the Whole Veggie Basket

Choose recipes that use the entire vegetable. Carrots are a great example—the leafy tops can be frozen and later tossed into homemade soup stock. Nothing gets left behind in the garden patch.

Decorations

Plan for decorations that are reusable or recyclable. There are many ways to DIY your decorations and some of them are kid friend. Check around the house for any supplies you might already have on hand.

See bonus tips below for paper decor that’s recyclable at a local depot (or in your blue bin if you live in the District of Sechelt or in the shíshálh Nation Government District)

A list is the easiest way to stick to your plan to reduce waste.

You’ve got your plan in place? or still working on it? Well write it out!

Grocery shopping is so much easier when you have a list. Buy only what’s on the list to help reduce the chances of food going to waste. Visit our webpage dedicated to reducing food waste for more at www.scrd.ca/reduce-food-waste.

If gifting is part of your family’s Easter tradition, start early by keeping a running list of ideas. Listen for hints throughout the year—people drop them like eggs in a hunt. If it’s not too hare‑raising, ask directly what they’d enjoy or check with someone who knows them well.

When in doubt, include a gift receipt. If the gift doesn’t egg‑ceed expectations, it won’t go to waste. Hop down to the ideas below for more inspiration.

Gift experiences: spending quality time doing an activity they love or trying something new is the best way to create memories, not waste!

Gift baked goodies: baking and cooking is a great way to create memories with family and sharing the creations will always make a great gift or party favour.

Pool resources: maybe there’s something you know they’d love, talk to family or mutual friends and go in on a bigger gift together.

Choose long lasting: doing a little research into an item’s quality helps to ensure it’s a gift they’ll use for a while.

Gift a useful gift card: check with close friends/family if there’s somewhere they love to shop or what their interests are before picking out a gift card.

Get them started with refillables: buying in bulk and refilling common essentials is an investment, helping someone get started will be something that can appreciate for years to come.

Respect their wishes: if they say they don’t want anything it’s probably best to listen.

Ok, you’ve picked out the best gift ever! Now it’s time for the wrapping. Check out Metro Vancouver’s wrap wise ideas for ideas that use easily recyclable or reusable materials.

#1 tip! Go reusable! Save a ton of paper over your life time by switching to reusable gift bags or picking materials that can serve a purpose afterwards. Ideas include using a tea towel, making a cloth bag or wrapping with news paper that can be painted and decorated. Find all the ideas in Metro Vancouver’s “wrap wise” guide.

More than you might think is recyclable at a local depot or in your blue bin, bookmark this page from Recycle BC for a searchable database of packaging and paper products.

Did you know? Candy and Plastic/foil candy wrappers and chip bags are known as Flexible Plastics and are recyclable at local depot. Click here for our depot recycling page to find a location near you.

Some depots will accept books and christmas lights, BUT don’t mix them with your recycling.

Children’s parties can generate a lot of garbage in a short period of time. Check out these great party planning guides for ideas on how to have a memorable birthday without the one-time use plastics and without the on emphasis stuff and instead on enjoying the party. 

Green Child Magazine https://www.greenchildmagazine.com/eco-friendly-birthday-party/ 

PBS Parents http://www.pbs.org/parents/birthday-parties/tips_post/green-birthday-party/ 

Parents.com https://www.parents.com/fun/birthdays/themes/eco-friendly-party/