Easter Egg Hunt - One Year Later

A year has passed since my last post on the Easter egg hunt, during which we encountered a significant number of plastic eggs scattered across our community. Following that event, I proposed to our Homeowners' Association (HOA) that we consider reducing plastic usage and educate both children and parents on collecting the eggs responsibly. We observed some positive changes, yet there remains room for improvement in how neighborhoods and organizations conduct these hunts to minimize waste and ensure cleanliness.

To promote diversity and environmental consciousness within our community, we organized a passport-themed Easter egg hunt this year. We hid 20 eggs around the neighborhood, each representing a country of our residents, with clues provided in riddle form. My initial reaction was positive, especially with only 20 eggs being hidden, anticipating a reduction in waste and plastic usage. However, my optimism was short-lived. During a recent walk, I stumbled upon a familiar scene – plastic eggs, albeit fewer than before, were still present throughout the neighborhood.

What concerned me deeply was discovering some of these eggs in our neighborhood's creek. Left unnoticed, they could have drifted into larger water bodies, posing serious threats to wildlife through ingestion or entanglement, potentially resulting in injury or death.

Looking ahead, I advocate for more environmentally friendly Easter egg hunts. I plan to bring this matter up with the HOA once more, urging that it be highlighted in community newsletters and meetings. I am not against the tradition of Easter egg hunts, but I believe they should be conducted under specific regulations. These would include ensuring all discovered eggs are appropriately disposed of or recycled by the neighborhood or organizing committee. Moreover, the organizers should be tasked with a comprehensive cleanup shortly after the event's conclusion to prevent any eggs from being left in inappropriate places.