Imagine how much the world (Our Common Home) would heal from a change in perspective. By Julie Peller Ph.D.

Green Junction

On average, people in the United States create more garbage, about 5 pounds each day or around 1800 pounds per year, than those in other areas of the world. The average amount of garbage produced by Europeans was about 1100 pounds per year in 2023. World waste is a huge problem and amounts to 2.10 billion tons annually, according to the World Bank, with an anticipated growth to 3.8 billion tons by 2050. An estimated 33% of this waste is not managed environmentally safely. Overall, this massive production of waste is a result of a society that overproduces and over consumes, without enough regard to the effect on the natural world and its inhabitants.

Holidays have become notorious for material purchases and extra waste production. Businesses effectively market products that lure consumers. From a quick internet search, “Find amazing Easter gifts for kids,” and “Shop for unique Easter gifts.” Modern society is mostly convinced that holiday celebrations require the purchase of more stuff, and this habit has now been perpetuated through generations. Candy eggs are popular for Easter and the packaging can be as much as a quarter of the weight. Several surveys suggest that people believe that too much packaging is used for these and other products.

There are many ways to have a “greener” Easter. Some options include reusing wooden or wicker Easter baskets, reusing fake eggs from year to year, choosing paper-based or even real “grass” (avoid the plastic) in Easter baskets, dying eggs with natural colorants, and making your own Easter treats. Other suggestions include supporting local businesses that don’t overpackage, donating to needy organizations, and just teaching children that the joy of the season is not tied to stuff.

Imagine how much the world (Our Common Home) would heal from a change in perspective.

Interesting fact: The world record for landfill size is held by the Apex Regional Landfill near Las Vegas. It is comparable to 1,250 football fields (2200 acres), opened in 1993, and has a life expectancy of over 200 years.

Julie Peller, Ph.D., is an environmental chemist (Professor of Chemistry at Valparaiso University). She has been writing a weekly column called The Green Junction for the past seven years and is helping to move the call of Laudato Si to action forward. Her Research Interests are advanced oxidation for aqueous solutions, water quality analyses, emerging contaminants, air quality analyses, Lake Michigan shoreline challenges (Cladophora, water, and sediment contaminants), and student and citizen participation in environmental work.