Recycle Everyday Items into Easter Baskets: A Green Idea

Schools, Bible and youth groups are always looking for items to use as Easter baskets. Using recyclable everyday household items helps eliminates waste, keeps down cost, and keeps the environment clean from harmful debris. An Easter basket made from a recyclable item does not mean it will not be beautiful, because these can be so artfully decorated a person may not even be able to recognize what was the original purpose of the container. If you are a parent, your child has probably already bought home an Easter basket made from a plastic bowl that contained ready-made whipped cream or butter. However, other types of containers can be recycled into Easter baskets.

Recyclable Items that can be Turned into Easter Baskets and a Few Helpful Hints

Note: All containers should be thoroughly washed and dried. Use chenille stems to create handles for the baskets.

Coffee cans

Spray paint coffee cans first and then decorated using Acrylic or oil paints. Add stickers or cutouts. These can also be covered with decorated construction or wrapping paper.

Plastic Berry Baskets

Plastic berry baskets are one of the easier items to use for an Easter basket, as you need only to attach a chenille handle and fill with grass and candy.

Gourds

A Gourd made into an Easter basket gives a folk artsy look to the holiday.

Peck Baskets from Farmer Markets

A peck basket already has a handle, so twist chenille stems around this for an added decoration.

Milk Cartons/Jugs

Glue cotton balls to the outside of a milk carton or jug, attach some bunny ears made from construction paper and leave a space to draw a bunny face.

Paper Bags

If you need a fast Easter basket, use a paper bag that you decorated with Easter designs.

Used Newspapers/magazines

Newspaper and magazine pages are folded to make Easter baskets. Using extra pages will help to make the basket stronger.

Old Purses

User fabrics printed with Easter designs to cover old purses.

Plastic or Terracotta Flowerpots

Terracotta pots decorated and filled with Easter treats makes an excellent party gift for women groups. NOTE: Chenille stems may not be strong enough for terracotta flowerpots, so use a heavy gauge wire and wrap it with the Chenille stems.

Shoe Boxes

Kids love decorated shoe boxes as Easter baskets, because they hold a lot of candy.

Styrofoam cups

Styrofoam cups made into Easter baskets make excellent party favors.

Paper Plates (folder in half)

Children can decorate the outside of these and then they can be folded in half, stapled at the sides and then filled with treats.

Sources: Personal Experience, Arizona Gourds