As Easter approaches, new research reveals that 65% of Brits believe Easter eggs are excessively packaged, contributing to thousands of tonnes of unnecessary waste each year.
According to a study commissioned by sustainable packaging company DS Smith, the average UK adult receives three chocolate eggs every Easter. With around 123 million eggs expected to be consumed across the country this year, this generates an estimated 8,000 tonnes of packaging annually.
The survey, which included 2,000 adults across the UK, highlighted growing concerns over packaging sustainability.
While 89% of respondents said they recycle the cardboard boxes Easter eggs come in, a significant number are still unsure about other materials. Thirty-six percent admitted to binning the foil, while 17% discard the plastic casing without recycling it.
Confusion around recycling remains a major issue, with 34% of participants stating they do not fully understand which parts of Easter egg packaging can be recycled.
Despite these challenges, the findings suggest a shift in public attitudes. Around 22% of respondents now consider whether the packaging is fully recyclable when choosing their Easter treats, and 26% expressed frustration over the amount of waste generated.
Among those who do not recycle any of the packaging, 26% blamed unclear instructions, and 36% said their local area does not accept certain materials.
Samantha Upham, Senior Sustainability Manager at DS Smith, commented that although the UK has made significant strides in recycling, more can be done.
She explained, “Chocolate eggs are a lovely part of Easter, with 165 of these treats consumed over the average Brit’s lifetime.
“Decades of progress has had a huge impact on the amount we recycle, with paper and card the most widely recycled materials in the UK. But too much of it is still ending up in landfill and we need to challenge ourselves to do better.
“Simply separating card, plastic and foil after your Easter feast means materials have the best chance of being recycled rather than being sent to landfill. If you’re not certain what goes into which bin, check out your local recycling rules.”
DS Smith is encouraging households to review their local recycling guidelines and ensure proper disposal of all Easter packaging materials.
Interestingly, 38% of those surveyed said Easter is one of their favourite holidays—mainly because of the chocolate.
