Easter has come and gone, but many still have plastic Easter eggs leftover from holiday festivities. Because most recycling facilities do not accept Easter eggs, you may wonder what to do with the leftover eggs. Recycling may not be an option. However, there are several creative ways to upcycle plastic Easter eggs rather than just throwing them away. Repurposing old or leftover Easter eggs helps prevent them from ending up in waste streams, where they cannot be broken down, harming the environment.
Listed below are some ideas for Easter egg reuse, most of which can be washed and reused multiple times.
- Succulent Planters – What better way to celebrate Spring than to reuse old Easter eggs to plant small succulents? This not only repurposes the plastic eggs, but also provides a safe, stable environment for your succulents.
- Egg-Shaped Soap – Use old Easter eggs as a mold for homemade soap. This is a fun idea that can be done repeatedly as long as the eggs hold their shape. This concept can be applied to bath bombs as well.
- Treat Molds – Speaking of molds, there are many egg-shaped treats you can make using Easter eggs as molds, such as rice krispie treats, chocolate eggs, or even jello eggs.
- Egg Maracas – Making maracas out of old Easter eggs is a fun, crafty way to spend a rainy Saturday afternoon. All you need is some spoons, leftover plastic Easter eggs, and a bit of tape to make long-lasting egg-shaped maracas.
- Bird Feeder – Typically, bird feeders are made with pine cones or toilet paper rolls, but using plastic Easter eggs provides a reusable method that you can wash and reuse multiple times instead of throwing out once it becomes soggy or falls apart.
- Sensory Bin – As an integral part of engaging the senses and skill development for young children, sensory bins are all the rage and can often be made with simple objects found around the house, including leftover Easter eggs.
- Food Holders – Have you ever dumped a package of candy into an Easter egg rather than cramming your fingers into the package itself and risk spilling the candy? Easter eggs can also fit other small snacks like grapes, cucumber slices, chopped carrots, and dry cereal and can even be washed and reused as popsicle molds for sunny picnic days.
Last but not least, reuse the same Easter eggs for the following Easter. Shiny new eggs can be fun to purchase, but consider reusing old eggs until they can no longer be used. Plastic Easter eggs are rarely accepted at recycling facilities and, therefore, often end up in landfills or the ocean, where they can harm plant and animal life. Finding methods of continued reuse helps prevent such occurrences and can save consumers the money they usually spend on new eggs every year.