Irish Shoppers to Spend €32 on Easter Eggs as Recycling Remains Top of Mind

Irish consumers are set to spend an average of €32 on Easter eggs this year, rising to €40 among households with children. With an estimated 64,790 tonnes of packaging expected to be recycled over the Easter holiday period, Repak are asking all consumers to recycle their packaging and reduce and reuse where possible.

New research we commissioned shows that  85% say they are confident about how to recycle Easter egg packaging correctly. The majority correctly identify that packaging should be placed in the recycling bin clean, dry and loose. In addition, over half of those expecting to receive Easter eggs say they plan to recycle all of the packaging.

Packaging Now Influencing Purchasing Decisions

Sustainability is also shaping behaviour at the checkout. While quality and type of chocolate remain the top drivers of purchase, recyclable packaging is now a key consideration:

• Nearly 60% of shoppers say recyclable packaging is important when choosing Easter eggs
• 26% of people have changed the brand they buy due to type of packaging
• 60% say they would choose an egg with less packaging even if it looked less premium

These findings demonstrate that Irish shoppers are more eco-conscious and many are willing to change purchasing habits in favour of more sustainable options.

 Zoe Kavanagh, CEO, commented: “Our consumer research shows that while people love the tradition of Easter Eggs, we are all becoming more conscious of  how they are packaged.  Consumers now consider the recyclability of packaging as an important factor when deciding what Easter eggs to buy for family and friends.

The fact that nearly 60% of  shoppers say recyclable packaging is important, shows how embedded sustainability has become in everyday choices.”

As Ireland works towards ambitious national and EU recycling targets, occasions like Easter provide an important opportunity to reinforce positive recycling behaviours.