Recycle for Wales has released a set of tips for reducing waste over the extended Easter weekend.

Around 90 million chocolate eggs are sold in the UK each year, and according to Natwest, each child in the UK receives an average of 8.8 Easter eggs every year.

Manufacturers have reduced the amount of packaging that accompanies eggs and increased its recyclability in the past few years, but the Waste & Resources Action programme (WRAP) estimates that this seasonal treat still generates an added 3,000 tonnes of waste.

As such, Recycle for Wales has set out advice on how consumers can reduce waste this Easter and save money in the process.

1. Make your own eggs

Instead of buying an Easter egg, why not make a chocolate egg instead? This can be done with just some melted chocolate and a mould, and should cost no more than £4. Recycle for Wales website has recipes and ideas for homemade eggs.

2. Choose eggs with minimal packaging

Most supermarkets sell eggs wrapped only in foil. There are also eggs with recyclable packaging, which include materials that can be collected by councils.

3. Think before buying ingredients for treats

Purchasing ingredients for Easter meals that you already have in your cupboard or buying twice as much as you need leads to unnecessary waste. Check your shopping list before you buy and don’t forget to recycle any food waste.

4. Reuse leftovers

Turning your leftovers into separate meals will save on waste and save you money on your food bill. Love Food Hate Waste has recipes to help you rejuvenate scraps from last night’s dinner.

5. Don’t send an Easter card

Every year around a million cards are sent over Easter in the UK. Many of them end up in landfill after a few days. E-cards, social media and cards made out of recycled household waste offer environmentally friendly alternatives.

6. Be aware of disruption to your bin collection

As Good Friday and the following Monday are both bank holidays, there could be disruption to local bin collections. Check your local council’s website to check if you are unsure.

‘Please recycle all you can’

Speaking of the added waste over the Easter period, Andrew Osborn, Recycling Officer for Waste Awareness Wales, said: “Recycling your waste at Easter really helps your council reach their recycling target.

“In Wales, we send so much card to landfill every year that is equivalent to the same weight as 22,398 average sized family cars - a huge amount. Please recycle all you can.”

Learn more about Recycle for Wales.